A career in contracting is rewarding. In recent years, the demand for contractors is growing. You will get paid well. You get to work with your hands and use problem-solving skills daily. You get to be part of a team. You get to learn a lot of skills.
For this article, we wanted to talk about the career of an underground utility and excavation contractor. Ever heard of it? This contractor’s work involves the construction, installation and repair of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution systems, and storm sewer collection systems. If the sewer doesn’t bother you, then why not try this gig out?
An underground utility contractor and excavation contractor works with the continuation of utility lines from main systems to the point of termination and including the meter location for individual occupancy facilities, sewer collection systems at property lines on residential or single occupancy properties, or on multiple occupancy properties. This contractor installs empty underground conduits in easements, platted rights-of-wat in new site developments, sleeves for parking lots crossings, and rights-of-way. However, this contractor is not allowed to install any piping part of a fire protection system.
Excavation contractors prepare sites and do grading, trenching, and other tasks with the soil. They operate heavy equipment and machinery. With proper equipment, this type of contractor removes soil in order to place a new foundation; he or she will make sure the soil is firm through different compaction tests. He/she backfills around the new foundation after the footers and stem wall have been placed.
To practice legally in most states, including Florida, an underground utility and excavation contractor needs a Florida contractor’s license.
To become an underground utility and excavation contractor, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age to be qualified.
- Be the recipient of a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college in the field of engineering, architecture or building construction and has one year of experience in the business.
- Or, have a total of four years of active experience as an apprentice.
- Or, have a combination of no less than one year of experience as a foreman and no less than three years of credits from college.
If you’re interested in this type of contract work, let us help you get your license today. We are a contractor licensing company. We make the process easy, simple, and fast. To start the process, call 239-777-1028 or click our Florida contractor license page to learn more.