Terms of Service

Project Scope
In order for us to prepare for your job accordingly, we need to be made aware of any details that deviate from our standard services related to your project.  Ie, anything that varies from our dig and set service (hole augered, post installed in ground, concrete poured, post set and plumb).  We will do our best to accommodate variations or changes in project scope when made aware with notice prior to the commencement of the job. We cannot guarantee that deviations to our standard practice can be accommodated without prior notice.

Access
We require a clearance of 50” wide and no low lying overhead structures of less than 9’ that we will have to pass under to access your space in order to dig. Please consider gas meters, air conditioning units and window wells when measuring your 50”+. We also require a minimum of 12’ on one side of your fence line to maneuver; 50’ is solely for access purposes.

Please note that various obstacles such as large decks, pools, steep slopes, stairs, retaining walls and large trees may prevent us from accessing your dig area. If we cannot access your area/individual locations, we cannot machine dig and may not be able to hand dig depending on the situation. If there are any of the above-mentioned items or any other concerns you may have that could affect your dig, please discuss with us and we invite you to forward images for us to review. If we are not made aware of any relevant details such as those mentioned above prior to your dig, we may not be able to complete your project on the day scheduled due to time limitations and without additional preparation being completed.

Where hand digs are required, additional costs will apply. This includes instances where buried utilities are too close to the dig site (ie, within 1m), the dig site is to narrow to fit our machinery into, or when our machinery is unable to dig past excessive rock or tree roots and manual intervention is required to reach 36″ in depth to provide frost heave warranty.  Please note that in some areas with heavy rock in the soils, we will not be able to accommodate projects that predominantly require a percentage of hand digging.  This will be discussed with you prior to your scheduled appointment and alternatives will be offered if available.

Additional Costs 
Additional costs may be priced per unit or by the hour based on the situation.

Including but not limited to:
– Hand digging
– Posts lengths greater than 10′ due to additional weight
– Post pulls 
– Concrete removals (no posts attached)
– Asphalt/concrete cut-outs (replacement not available)
– Large rock/tree root removal
– Accurate post setting for ornamental/pre-fabricated panels
– Winter excavation (frost penetration below grade)
– Layout/incomplete layout (fence posts, piers – squaring up, batter boards)
– Prep work requested or required to complete project (charged at an hourly rate)
– Pier sizing/deck plan (drawings)


Property Lines and Layout
Layouts and all site preparation are required to be completed by the homeowner/contractor one day prior to the dig day. Failure to provide an adequate layout after instructions were provided in the booking confirmation and check in call the evening prior will result in additional charges for us to prepare the site for post setting. Layouts will include a paint marking representing your fence line and an intersecting line representing your post placement for each post. We recommend to use a string line when marking out your fence line. Standard spacing for fence posts is to use 8’ on center, starting with your corner post to allow for enough panel material to be trimmed to fit your sections accordingly. For piers, a similar intersecting marking will need to be made for each footing. If you do not have a spigot available or in working condition on site for us to connect our hose to, please let us know prior to your appointment.

If you are using pre-fabricated panels or require your posts to be set with exact measurements (ie, no trimming desired), please let us know as this process takes additional time, which we need to schedule and price accordingly for.

All fence and property lines are the responsibility of the homeowner to clearly establish. Any layouts done by Elite Post Hole Digging will be done following the direction of the homeowner. Elite Post Hole Digging is not liable and will not be involved in any disputes over property division during or after installation.

Locates
If we are not completing your locates for you, please forward your request confirmation, and all supporting locates to locates@elitepostholediggers.ca once they are received so that we can review them before your dig. We will have to reschedule your dig if we do not receive the complete set of locates within 24 hours of your dig appointment.

We will do our best to ensure utility locates are completed prior to your dig, however if circumstances out of our control (high seasonal volumes/utility provider delays), we will have to postpone your scheduled dig until they are complete as it is illegal to dig without a completed set of locates.

Private locates for any underground lines not covered by Ontario One Call will need to be completed by the customer in preparation of your dig (ie, gas lines to BBQ’s, pool heaters, lights or signs on properties, electrical lines going to sheds or detached garages, sewer and septic tanks, systems and piping, sprinkler systems and security cameras, etc). This is regardless of how far away from the dig area they are. If they are on the property, they require a locate to be completed. Elite Post Hole Digging will not be held liable for any damage to public or private underground lines that have not been documented to us.

Hole Depth
We aim to reach a hole depth of 42″; however some difficult soil conditions can prevent us from doing so (ie, excessive rock/bedrock). As such, we cannot guarantee hole depth (and correspondingly we cannot guarantee post height which will necessitate the need for the customer to trim their posts). When hand digging, achieving warranty depth (36″) is our goal.  In areas that we are unable to reach full hole depth (a minimum of 36”), we will not be able to offer a warranty on install.

When bedrock presents before our standard dig depth is achieved, we will excavate until resistance is observed by our auger.  This will result in between 1-3″ of residual soil remaining in the hole in order to protect our equipment from damage that would occur by making direct contact with bedrock.

We are not liable for uncovered holes exposed from excavation on a customer’s property. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure exposed holes are safely secured to prevent accident or injury.

Post Setting Practices
Our practice for post setting is to pour concrete up to approximately 10-12” below grade with the remainder being backfilled and tamped which provides support during the post setting process and drainage around the post throughout its life. We also offer the option of screenings to be used, as many professionals find it to be a superior product. When using screenings, posts will have a slight amount of play until the first major freeze. It is very important to allow installed posts to set undisturbed for a minimum of 24 hours before erecting your fence.

Due to varying grades and dig depths (as we cannot guarantee depth), installed post heights will vary. We do not trim posts as a part of the post installation process and recommend this be completed once the fence has been built.

Please note that our pricing is based on standard 10’ PT posts with a ten post minimum in our local service area. Please let us know prior to your dig if you wish to have 12’ or longer posts installed as there is an additional charge and we will need record this information in your booking. 

Piers
Pier heights are set to approximately six inches above soil grade and therefore each pier is set based on grading and may have different elevations.  Piers will be installed according to building code to ensure that the structure is being adequately and safely supported.  We reserve the right to decline requests for installs of undersized piers or projects that will not adhere to these standards.

When dealing with building permits, inspections of the excavations need to take place before concrete is poured. If a second site visit is required to pour the piers due to timing of the excavation inspection, additional charges will apply.  Please note that we do not guarantee excavation inspection approvals due to circumstances beyond our control.

When requested to design piers to capacity for any structure, design will be done based on customers information and that info will be kept on file and design costs will be above and beyond dig and set fees.

Landscaping such as levelling soils, laying landscaping fabric, patio stones or drainage stone will be the responsibility of the homeowner.

Please allow piers to set for a minimum of 48 hours before commencing your deck build.

Wood Products
Due to the nature of wood, we cannot warranty against defects including, but not limited to, splitting, twisting, crowning, cupping, warping and bowing, whether supplied by us or by the customer. We also cannot guarantee posts or wood product against defects after installation. However, we will always take the time to check for crowns and face them in the appropriate direction (ie, find and use the best posts as gate posts).

Property Damage
We do not recommend having posts installed on freshly laid sod or concrete as it may be more prevalent to damage from our machine, and proceeding with a dig will be done only at the customer’s discretion. There will inevitably be some disruption of existing grass as a result of your posts being installed and will do our best to minimize the impact, but it cannot be completely avoided. Please also temporarily relocate any foliage of value and replant after dig completion to prevent damage to low lying shrubbery while digging.

Septic systems are the responsibility of the customer to inform us. We will need to be directed around the main bed to avoid excess weight from our machine being put on the area.

Soil Removal
We do not remove excess soil or other debris from the premises; we do our best to compact and spread the soil around the post after cementing, but please be advised that the perimeter will have soil remaining around it. This allows for re-sodding or grass seed to be spread.

Deposits
On jobs that require cement mixer trucks to be secured, materials to be obtained or when deemed appropriate due to the size of the project, a non-refundable deposit will be requested upon booking. The deposit must be paid as outlined by the deadline to secure the booking date and will not be returned if the customer cancels or is not able to follow through with the job due to issues on their own behalf. A reschedule date and fee will be offered by Elite Post Hole if issues arise.

Cancellations
We request a minimum of 72 hours notice for cancellations. If we arrive at your property and you are not prepared for your dig or there are hurdles that prevent us from proceeding that should have been previously brought to our attention, a re-booking fee will apply to your next appointment.

Payment Options
We accept cash, certified cheque, e-transfer and credit card payments (credit card transactions incur an administrative fee).  Invoices are payable upon receipt and due within 48 hours of issuance. Unpaid invoices after this time are subject to interest charges.