The excavation industry is constantly evolving and changing. To survive you need to be flexible — contractors with only one skill set may be at risk if their specific market declines.
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global excavators market is expected to expand to grow annually at a rate of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030. This presents a great growth opportunity for excavation contractors to expand their services and tap into new markets.
If you want your excavation business to keep growing and profits flowing, you need to adapt and offer new services that meet the needs of your clients.
Additionally, clients prefer hiring one contractor to handle the entire job, rather than multiple contractors for different tasks.
Diversifying your excavation business is the name of the game.
So, what are the services that you can add to your excavation business? Let’s take a look at some complementary services to diversify your excavation business and serve a wider variety of clients.
Underground Utility Installation
Underground utility installation is a great way to generate more business, and is in high demand, especially in urban areas where new infrastructure is being developed or upgraded.
A solid strategy for getting these opportunities is to track when municipalities install new sewer mains and market your services to the homeowners.
Underground utility installation involves installing pipes and cables for storm and sanitary sewers, water, gas, electricity, and telecommunications
You don’t need to invest in a lot of new equipment for this service, as you can use most of the tools you already have.
For shallow gravity sewer installations, these tools are enough to dig the trench, lay the pipe, and compact the soil.
For pressurized sewer installations, you need to learn how to join the pipes mechanically, but this is not a difficult skill to acquire.
Pipeline Inspection and Repair
Pipeline work involves using cameras and other devices to inspect the condition of existing underground utilities and identify any problems or defects.
If any issues are found, your job is to repair or replace the damaged pipes or cables.
You likely maintain strong relationships with local municipalities and architecture/engineering firms. Leverage those connections to become the go-to contractor for utility repairs by serving as a one-stop shop for inspection and repair services.
The entry cost isn’t expensive either — all you need is a large number of pipeline inspection cameras. These cameras are available on the market for as little as a couple thousand dollars with more robust systems costing in the tens of thousands of dollars.
You can purchase less expensive equipment or even rent equipment until you develop a reliable clientele.
Contracted Material Hauling
Another way to boost your income is through contracted material hauling. There is enough work nationwide for material hauling that savvy contractors should never have a dump truck sitting idle.
You can even lease out your haul trucks and operators to take advantage of this swollen market and charge premium rates for their services.
This constant stream of work can serve a dual purpose as a valuable safety net for slow periods and a profitable opportunity for busy times.
Moreover, material hauling is a relatively easy skill to learn and teach — the ability to operate a haul truck is all your workers need.
With a Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) and some training in bed operations, dump truck operation is a quickly attainable skill set.
You can also offer your operators to other contractors who need extra help.
However, it is important to protect your business from losing valued employees with non-compete clauses and strong business relationships with the contractors that are being lent operators.
Specialized Equipment for Specialized Service
There is a wide variety of niche services an excavation contractor can provide by simply purchasing and training on the necessary equipment.
This equipment can range from standalone machines to attachments for likely current equipment.
Hydro excavation or vacuum excavation is an increasingly popular method for precisely excavating around utilities while reducing the risk of rupturing the utility compared to an excavator bucket.
Hydro and vacuum excavators are also used for point excavation for repairs, utility depth confirmation of potholes, and other projects that require a greater degree of precision.
These two pieces of equipment can also be utilized to pressure wash sewer manholes and pipes while simultaneously vacuuming unwanted material out of sewers.
Vibro hammers and demolition jaws are two attachments for excavators that will open up many additional services for you.
Vibro hammers are excellent for driving foundation piles into the ground for foundation systems. Vibratory demolition jaws are excellent for crushing concrete and other structures.
Environmental Cleanup Service
Many industrial clients need help handling environmental messes like brownfield cleanup or hazardous waste removal.
To provide this service, you need to get the proper certifications to safely handle contaminated materials.
You may also need to invest in cutting-edge equipment like foam injection systems for dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) remediation.
Finally, you need to promote your environmental capabilities to industrial clients managing pollution liabilities at manufacturing sites, landfills, and commercial properties.
Handy skill to have!
Provide Demolition Services
Most demolition projects require extensive excavation work.
Market your existing excavation equipment like compact track loaders and expertise in controlled demolition to general contractors for demolition work.
You can also offer top-down demolition techniques to systematically dismantle structures safely and efficiently. Bundle demolition with your earthwork and hauling services for a complete site-clearing package.
SitePro: Custom-built Coverage for Excavation Operations
Expanding your excavation services opens doors, but new opportunity often brings new risks. As you branch into utility work, demolition, hydro excavation, and more, make sure your insurance evolves too.
With NIP Group’s SitePro program, contractors gain coverage custom-built for diversified operations.
Our team of industry experts and integrated solutions safeguard your business across all services – whether you’re prepping sites, installing utilities, or inspecting pipelines. The future holds exciting potential to expand. With SitePro, make sure your growth is secured every step of the way.
