Dig day prep: locates, access and the back yard
A mini excavator can't get past a locked gate, a hot tub or a car in the driveway. The agent calls before every dig with what to clear, what the crew needs, and what the yard will look like for a few days.
An excavation or interior drainage job on the schedule a few days out.
Confirms the date, explains the locates and access, lists what to move, takes notes for the crew.
A clear path for the machine, utility flags left alone, and a crew sheet with gates and pets.
How it works
- Confirms the start
The date, the crew's arrival and how many days the dig takes, from the schedule.
- Explains the locates
Paint and flags on the lawn mark buried lines before the dig. They're there for the crew, so please leave them where they are.
- Clears the path
Gate width, a fence panel that may come off, the side yard, the driveway kept clear, plants against the wall the homeowner wants moved first.
- Covers the inside
For interior jobs, the basement cleared back from the wall, and the dust and noise to expect for the day.
- Sets expectations
A trench beside the house and soil on a tarp for a few days, then backfill and grading, as your crew does it.
- Tells the crew
Gate codes, a dog, a septic bed, the neighbour's shared driveway. On the crew sheet.
Example call
- AI agentHi Mr. Haddad, it's Emma from Dryline Waterproofing. The crew starts your back wall on Monday at 7:30. Got a few minutes to go over the yard?
- CustomerSure.
- AI agentYou'll see paint and little flags on the lawn this week, those mark the buried lines, so please leave them be. The machine comes down the side yard. Is the gate there at least four feet wide?
- CustomerIt's narrower, but the fence panel next to it lifts out.
- AI agentPerfect, I'll note that for the crew. Anything along the back wall you'd like to keep, plants or a gas barbecue?
- CustomerThe hydrangeas. I'll dig them up this weekend.
- AI agentGreat. The trench will be open about three days, then they backfill and grade. I'll text you the start time and the crew lead's name Sunday.
After the call: The crew sheet shows the lift-out fence panel, the side yard route and the hydrangeas moved by the owner, and Mr. Haddad is confirmed for Monday at 7:30.
What your team gets
- Every dig confirmed with access and prep
- Locate flags explained so they stay in place
- Gate, fence and side-yard notes for the machine
- Interior jobs with the basement cleared
- A reminder text with the crew lead's name
Questions
Who books the utility locates?
Your office does, as it does now. The agent tells the homeowner what the flags are and to leave them.
What if the machine can't get in?
It asks about gate width and side-yard space ahead, so your crew lead can plan hand digging or a smaller machine.
Does it call the neighbours?
If the dig is near a shared driveway or fence, it can text the neighbours the homeowner names with the dates.
Hear it on your phone
Request a demo call and the agent phones you, set up for foundation and waterproofing like yours.