When you think of excavating contractors, you probably picture large backhoes ripping big holes into the ground and huge dump trucks hauling the dirt away. While it is true that excavators do work with heavy equipment that removes large amounts of earth, they can do much more to help you create the home of your dreams. Here are three times you may want to call a contractor about excavating:

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Concrete is a versatile building material that lends itself to a wide variety of uses for both homes and businesses. A concrete driveway is a primary example of how this material is effective and advantageous for homeowners on a daily basis. If you’re about to install a new driveway, here are a few reasons why you should consider concrete for the job.

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Commercial renovations allow you to capitalize on a growing demand for rental properties. Taking older buildings and renovating them to accommodate the changing needs of the younger generation gives you an opportunity to grow your rental income from these properties. Creating an inviting, functional living space can give you a leg up on the competition.

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If you’re looking to add usable space to your home, a finished basement may be the best course of action. You can add a living space, bathroom, bedroom, or all of the above in your basement. However, there are a few things you must do before laying down carpet and putting up drywall.

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There are so many unique and beautiful ways to put in a driveway. You can have brick, stamped concrete, stone, etc. However, sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most affordable and appealing. An asphalt driveway is a wonderful alternative to more expensive options, and it still provides homeowners and businesses with a striking appearance. While the price is definitely a motivating factor for such a selection, asphalt has several other benefits and attributes that make it a solid decision for driveways.

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It is easy to forget the importance of plumbing, especially when everything is working and draining as it should. However, when one thing goes wrong, like a clogged drain, it is easy to understand how integral plumbing is to your daily life. Many plumbing issues are resolved easily using a handheld auger, but when the basic solutions don’t work, and a professional tells you that the problem is external, who do you turn to for help? An excavation contractor. These professionals can work with other plumbing professionals to pinpoint the problem areas and safely remove the soil or concrete to gain access. Although, what type of damage can you expect, and why can’t you do the work yourself?

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Excavating construction sites may seem like a non-skilled job, after all, it’s just digging great big holes with big toys, but truthfully, excavating work is involved and at times even risky. Professional contractors understand the importance of excavation experts and rely on them for preparing a stable foundation to build from. There are several reasons to hire a professional excavator, and all of those reasons have to do with their expertise.

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Building the restaurant of your dreams to serve the food that makes your mouth water and your friends swoon is a process. Knowing what to expect before building the restaurant can help you plan. Restaurant construction starts with planning, starting the construction and finalizing the build before the doors open and your first customers arrive.

Planning

Use an engineer and architect to create a plan for your restaurant. Include items such as fittings, furniture, size of the rooms, reception space and location before making any decisions. Viewing the engineer’s plan on a computer can help you visualize the space to make necessary changes prior to approval from an architect and breaking ground. Make sure to follow ADA guidelines for bathrooms and multiple floors which need an elevator. Once the plans are finalized, the local municipality requires approval from their health department.

Constructing

The foreman and the architect can keep you informed on the process as the restaurant construction gets underway. You may also want to check on the site several times to ensure the project is commencing as expected. The location of the restaurant impacts the sales potential and business growth. A busy city intersection brings in more potential customers than the woods near the railroad tracks. Don’t neglect the local weather and the impact on keeping the restaurant cool or warm during the changing seasons.

Finalizing

The interior design of the building needs to reflect both the type of food offered and the accompanying area. Settling in a seaside area may require less design with quality medium-priced fare than a bustling downtown metropolis catering to a high-end clientele.

When planning your restaurant, these tips are only what to expect with restaurant construction. They don’t include all the other essential items for running an effective restaurant such as a stellar menu, hiring employees, obtaining business documents or hours of operation. While you need to keep an eye on the construction process, plan these other essential items, so you are ready to open when the building is complete and furnished.

When considering your home’s curbside appeal, do you often include your driveway as an item of beauty or pride? Many people take their concrete or asphalt driveway for granted, and this moves into realms far beyond aesthetic appeal. There are several benefits that driveway paving can bring to your home.

Vehicle Logistics

The most obvious reason for a driveway lies with its use as a parking spot for your vehicles. Not just for cars, truck or motorcycles, but for RV’s, boats or trailers. Parking on a solid surface makes navigation easier, as wet lawns, gravel or dirt can create ruts, form puddles and encourage sinking. Concrete or asphalt surfaces also extend and protect the life of your tires.

Cleanliness and Presentation

Not only do tire tracks leave a terrible visual blight on your lawn, but the foot traffic the leaves the car and enters the house creates a mess. On rainy days, the mud gets tracked into your front foyer or other family spaces, making more work to keep the area tidy. Even if you have a partially-completed parking surface, driveway paving will do wonder for the cleanliness and presentation of your home and lawn.

Low-Maintenance Investment

If you are currently parking in your lawn or on gravel, consider the investment of driveway paving. It takes time, money and hard work to keep replacing sod or grass seed, just as it takes a chunk of change to have loads of gravel or dirt delivered every few years. Whether you choose asphalt, concrete,  or stone or brick pavers, the investment will last several years and have relatively low-maintenance. This stretches your dollar and time even further.

Paving a driveway is a big job and takes precision and skill. This is a job needing the input and experience of a professional. You will be able to set your price point, making the hardest part of the decision determining what type of material to use.

Much like a good fence, retaining walls are a functional and safe barrier between neighbors. The walls are essential to get the most out of undevelopable land. Builders use them to create level lots for homes or apartments. Homeowners can benefit from them to create new walkways, flower beds, additional parking or a patio.

Notice Problems

Once built, retaining walls typically do not draw the eye. Beyond making the wall look less aesthetically pleasing, problems often indicate a deeper structural issue. If you notice a problem, contact a professional to determine how serious it is. Small problems are easier to address than larger ones. Cracks, bowing and tilting are typical problems with small and large walls. The pressure of the soil, shifting blocks or water can all affect the wall over time.

Repair Damage

The type of damage the wall has sustained determines whether or not it can be salvaged. Sometimes the damage is too great, and the wall must be completely taken down and rebuilt. Often though, contractors can make repairs to the wall. A professional contractor who specializes in the foundation work may be needed.

Use Anchors

Helical anchors, or “tiebacks,” help fix walls that have begun to tilt or crack. Contractors utilize the steel anchors to repair foundational issues. A hole is made for the giant screw-like anchors to go in. They have plates to pull the anchor through the hole and into the soil with each turn. Hydraulic pressure is measured to determine appropriate depth of the anchor. Pressure is exerted on the wall to keep the anchor in place with a large-diameter nut placed on the outside of a steel plate.

Repairing damaged retaining walls can keep the land it holds back level and functional. Beyond repair, a contractor may decide to add additional features to the retaining wall such as drains to move water away from the wall.