Hiring an excavation contractor in Washington
Gradeline lists 1,671 excavating and site work contractors in Washington across 38 counties. This guide covers the Washington rules that affect a dig: frost depth and 811 notice through Washington 811.
What to know before you hire in Washington
4.6★
Know what a good rating looks like here
Washington contractors average 4.6 stars on Google. Shortlist crews at 4.5 or better with a solid review count (387 qualify), and treat anything under 4.0 as a red flag.
24 in
Footings go below the frost line
Frost reaches about 24 inches in Washington. Any bid for footings, foundations, or buried lines should dig at least that deep. If the depth is not written in the quote, ask.
2 days
Utilities get marked before digging
Washington law requires 2 business days notice to Washington 811 before any digging. Ask whether your contractor files the request, and plan the start date around the wait.
41%
Most listed contractors have no website
Only 41% of listed Washington contractors run their own site. Judge them on reviews, photos, and years in business rather than web polish, and get at least three written quotes.
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Get free quotesArea-specific FAQ
How far in advance do I need to call before digging in Washington?
At least 2 working days. Washington 811 takes locate requests statewide and has underground utilities marked before any excavation. Hitting an unmarked gas or power line can injure the crew and lead to costly repairs.
How deep do footings need to be in Washington?
In Washington, footings typically need to extend below the frost line, which is around 24 inches here. A local contractor will confirm the code requirement for your site.
When is the best time of year to dig in Washington?
Most of the year works in Washington. Occasional winter freezes can firm up the top few inches of soil, but the 24-inch frost line clears quickly.
