Without excavation, a construction project likely isn’t going to be completed properly, on time or within its budget. It’s an essential and perhaps the most important step in the construction process, preparing a site for work following detailed surveying and planning.
Excavation removes rock, dirt, debris and other materials to lay the foundation for a structure. Combined with grading, this process ensures that a construction work site is completely ready for the actual build, and it can be a time-consuming and expensive process as well.
The ramifications of insufficient excavation are many and can be severe: work sites that aren’t properly excavated can have poor structural integrity and stability, and can suffer damage from water or other sources. As one might expect, these issues can cause problems in the short and long term, and end up costing a lot more money than what was originally budgeted.
Construction projects that work backwards tend to be major headaches. Excavation is a key step that keeps every aspect of the project on the right path. We’re going to take a closer look at how excavation is evolving and modernizing, as well as how to find clients the right insurance for high-risk excavation and grading contractors.
Technology is paving the way for a smarter and more efficient excavation industry
With that being said, excavation work has traditionally been time-consuming and difficult.
As we’ve seen in other aspects of the construction industry, technology has helped contractors be safer, more efficient and to simply work smarter. Excavation is no different, and it’s helped what is now a $118 billion business continue to grow while protecting the workers who do the job.
These innovations span both pre-work evaluation and the physical labor elements of excavation. In many ways, you could say this is a brave new world that’s helping jobs get done quicker and also keeping workers safer. Excavation contractors insurance coverage should be tailored to this changing industry and it should be comprehensive, as well.
Understanding how excavation has changed – largely due to the introduction of new technology and techniques – will help brokers be more prepared when finding grading and excavation business insurance. Risk management in construction is easier when we know what’s impacting those risks, or causing risks to change for better or worse.
Modern innovations that are changing excavation
Professionals in the excavation field are encouraged and optimistic about the future of the industry, primarily because of the modern innovations currently available (and those that are coming down the road).
Technology is helping excavators be more precise, which is critical in the pre-construction stage of any project. Any error – as minimal as it may seem – is costly. Any miscalculation is a significant setback. There are so many considerations with excavation work, including underground utilities, historical artifacts, existing structures and more. The work needs to be done accurately and completely to keep moving into the build.
Modern excavation and grading insurance, available through SitePro by NIP Group, takes all of the following technology into account and writes insurance policies accordingly. It’s a game-changer for brokers and clients as the industry moves into this new era.
GPS-enabled technology
No longer are excavators using grading stakes and manually-produced site maps and plans. GPS surveying provides accurate and real-time updates on work sites and cuts down on time; most newer equipment has GPS already on board and makes for a seamless transition.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR)
Damaging underground utilities can cost a construction project in both time and money. GPR technology goes underground to provide excavators with detailed information regarding utility lines and to avoid what would be a major problem.
Hybrid and electric-powered excavation equipment
Heavy equipment used for excavation is already expensive, and when you factor in fuel costs, it can be a costly line item for the business. Electric equipment is more efficient and less noisy.
Fully automated machinery
Some newer equipment and machinery is fully automated, meaning excavation contractors can operate the equipment remotely and from a safe distance. This can help reduce the risk of injury to workers operating machinery and keep those around the work site safer (in many cases, this equipment is highly precise too).
Drone technology
On-the-ground site surveillance is important in excavation but so too is aerial imagery. Drones can be a big help in the planning process as the images are produced in great detail and widely considered to be as accurate as a contractor can get.
SitePro provides excavation contractors with customized, up-to-date coverage
If your clients are considering bringing new technology to their excavation work, they need comprehensive excavation contractor solutions. SitePro is a trusted insurance partner for excavation clients because of its 35-plus year track record and commitment to staying ahead of trends that will impact their business.
Specialized insurance for construction contractors isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. As the industry evolves and becomes more modern, the coverages clients carry must match the work they’re doing. Additionally, having an insurance partner that understands complex regulations (which can vary by state) is a competitive advantage not offered by larger carriers.
With best-in-class products and support, SitePro is uniquely positioned to support clients with work site preparation insurance that’s customized for their individual needs. SitePro considers the value of all company assets, number of employees, state(s) where they operate and much more.
SitePro is insurance curated specifically for excavation contractors and the changing landscape of their work.
