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Excavation Backfill Grading and Hauling Contract

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EXCAVATION, BACKFILL, GRADING, AND HAULING CONTRACT

THIS EXCAVATION, BACKFILL, GRADING, AND HAULING CONTRACT (“Contract”), effective as of the date of the last party to sign below, is between

("Contractor") and

having an address at

("Owner").

having an address at

For valuable consideration the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. SCOPE OF WORK: Contractor shall provide all labor and materials, and perform all work necessary for the completion of the residence, structure, or improvements as described in the drawings and specifications signed by both Owner and Contractor ("Project”) and more particularly described as

Such drawings and specifications are hereby made a part of this Contract. Drawings and specifications shall contain a scale drawing showing the shape, size, and dimensions of the construction and equipment together with a description of the work to be done, materials to be used, and the equipment to be used or installed.

(a) Contractor shall maintain continuous responsibility for proper placement of all bench marks, monuments and reference points and leave the trees, landscaping at the project work site reasonably undamaged.

(b) Contractor shall ensure access of workmen with concrete trucks to the foundation area by storing the topsoil and stockpile backfill taken from all excavated areas at

(c) Excavation shall be to undisturbed soil and all material of every description existing in the excavation area to the depth of . Maximum allowable excavation grade variance will be inches over each excavated level (if more than one) to allow for rainfall and normal water drainage.

(d) Basement excavations will have approximately inches overdig of the dwelling footing dimensions and establish a degree bank slope to prevent cave-in and allow for installation of footings, foundation walls, piers, drain tile and gravel.

(e) Contractor shall remove all unsuitable earth materials, topsoil and vegetation from excavated areas receiving fill and place fill gravel in sub-grade concrete floor, patio, driveway, sidewalk, and front stoop areas as indicated on the to ensure settlement.

(f) Contractor will use only backfill material that is reasonably free from roots, debris, rocks larger than inches in diameter and; and deposit backfill material in inch layers against foundation walls in such manner to avoid wall damage and to ensure minimum settlement.

(g) Contractor shall rough grade the dwelling project area to inches below the finished grade elevation.

(h) Contractor shall use to bring the dwelling project area to finished grade elevation that ensures proper water drainage away from the dwelling.

(i) If any rocks larger than are discovered during excavation, Contractor shall place such sized rocks in the .

(j) Contractor shall notify of unusual digging or soil conditions.

(k) Interior areas shall be backfilled as instructed by Owner to reduce settling.

(l) Owner will be responsible for providing hand labor, bracing, guard rails, fencing and other items necessary for the protection of the workmen and public.

(m) Prior to backfilling and grading Owner shall be responsible for removing all construction debris from all excavated and fill areas including but not limited to foundation and concrete flat work forming materials; dewatering, removing old materials, fences and from the site.

2. WORK SITE: The Project shall be constructed on the property of Owner located at

3. TIME OF COMPLETION: Contractor shall commence the work to be performed under this Contract on or before and shall substantially complete the work on or before . Contractor shall not be liable for any delay due to circumstances beyond its control including strikes, casualty, acts of God, illness, injury, or general unavailability of materials.

4. PERMITS: Contractor shall apply for and obtain such permits and regulatory approvals as may be required by the local municipal/county government, the cost thereof shall be included as part of the Project price.

5. INSURANCE: Contractor shall maintain general liability, workers compensation and builder's risk insurance.

6. SURVEY AND TITLE: If the Project is near the Owner's property boundary, Owner will point out property lines to the Contractor. If the Owner or Contractor has any doubt about the location of the property lines, Owner shall provide Contractor with boundary stakes through a licensed surveyor. In addition, Owner shall provide Contractor documentation that Owner has title to the Work Site and shall provide Contractor copies of any covenants, conditions, or restrictions that affect the Work Site.

7. CHANGES TO SCOPE OF WORK: Owner may make changes to the scope of the work, including changes to the drawings and specifications, from time to time during the construction of the Project. However, any such change or modification shall only be made by written "Change Order" signed by both parties. Such Change Orders shall become part of this Contract. Owner agrees to pay any increase in the cost of the Project as a result of a Change Order. In the event the cost of a Change Order is not known at the time a Change Order is executed, the Contractor shall estimate the cost thereof and Owner shall pay the actual cost whether or not it is in excess of the estimated cost.

8. CONTRACT PRICE:

{COST PLUS}

Owner agrees to pay Contractor the actual cost to Contractor of materials plus the sum of $ for performing the services set forth in the scope of the work.

Contractor shall be paid as follows:

OR

{FIXED FEE}

Owner agrees to pay Contractor the sum of $ for performing the services set forth in the scope of the work.

Contractor shall be paid as follows:

Contractor shall furnish Owner appropriate releases or waivers of lien for all work performed or materials provided at the time the next periodic payment shall be due.

9. LATE PAYMENT/DEFAULT: A failure to make payment for a period in excess of ten (10) days from the due date shall be deemed a material breach of this Contract. If payment is not made when due, Contractor may suspend work on the job until such time as all payments due have been made without breach of the Contract pending payment or resolution of any dispute. Owner agrees to pay a late charge of 1% of all payments that are more than ten (10) days late plus interest at the rate of 1% per month.

10. DESTRUCTION AND DAMAGE: If the Project is destroyed or damaged for any reason, except where such destruction or damage was caused by the sole negligence of the Contractor or its subcontractors, Owner shall pay Contractor for any additional work done by Contractor in rebuilding or restoring the Project to its condition prior to such destruction or damage. If the estimated cost of replacing work already accomplished by Contractor exceeds 20 percent of the Contract price, either the Contractor or Owner may terminate this Contract. Upon termination by either party, Contractor shall be excused from further performance under this Contract and Owner shall pay Contractor a percentage of the Contract price in proportion to the amount of work accomplished prior to the destruction or damage.

11. ASSIGNMENT: Neither party may assign this Contract, or payments due under the Contract, without the other party's written consent. Any such assignment shall be void and of no effect.

12. INTERPRETATION:

(a) Interpretation of Documents. The Contract, drawings, and specifications are intended to supplement one another. In the event of a conflict, the specifications shall control the drawings, and the Contract shall control both. If work is displayed on the drawings but not called for in the specifications, or if the work is called for in the specifications but not displayed on the drawings, Contractor shall be required to perform the work as though it were called for and displayed in both documents.

(b) Entire Agreement. This Contract constitutes the entire agreement of the parties. No other agreements, oral or written, pertaining to the work to be performed under this Contract exists between the parties. This Contract may only be modified only by a written agreement signed by both parties.

(c) Governing Law. This Contract shall be interpreted and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

13. ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS: If any party to this Contract brings a cause of action against the other party arising from or relating to this Contract, the prevailing party in such proceeding shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

14. PERFORMANCE:

(a) Contractor may, at its discretion, engage licensed subcontractors to perform work pursuant this Contract provided Contractor shall remain fully responsible for the proper completion of the Project.

(b) All work shall be completed in a workman-like manner and in compliance with all building codes and applicable laws. To the extent required by law, all work shall be performed by individuals duly licensed and authorized by law to perform said work.

15. WARRANTY:

1. SCOPE AND DURATION. whose business address is as warrantor ("Contractor”),warrants to the above-named Owner (“Owner”), for a period of one (1) year from the date of Substantial Completion (“Warranty Period”), as more specifically defined in the Construction Contract between Owner and Contractor (the “Contract”), that all repairs, renovations, or other remodeling undertaken by Contractor to the Project, except such repairs, renovations, or other remodeling specifically excluded below, substantially conform with the Construction Standards set forth in the Agreement.

2. WARRANTOR'S DUTY. Upon receiving notice during the Warranty Period, as described in by Article 5 below, of any defect covered by this Limited Warranty, Contractor, at its sole option and expense, shall repair, replace, or pay reasonable sums necessary to make such repairs to conform with the Construction Standards set forth in the Contract. This Limited Warranty does not cover minor cosmetic flaws which were not listed in the Project List.

3. EXCLUSIONS.

A. This Limited Warranty does not cover consumer products for the purpose of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2301 et seq. Contractor's only duty with respect to items not warranted by Contractor shall be to assign and deliver to the Owner all manufacturers' and suppliers' warranties that by their terms are assignable covering consumer products, including appliances, fixtures, finishes, and other equipment installed in and provided with the Project. Contractor is in no way responsible for performance under any manufacturer's or supplier's warranties.

B. This Limited Warranty covers only items that have been repaired, renovated, or otherwise improved by Contractor under the Contract between Owner and Contractor. This Limited Warranty does not cover repairs, renovations, or other remodeling work not undertaken by Contractor; defects resulting from improper maintenance, misuse, abuse, or failure of Owner to follow operating instructions; and defects or damage resulting from fires, floods, storms, the elements, electrical malfunctions, accidents, or acts of God.

C. Under no circumstances shall Contractor be responsible by virtue of this Limited Warranty or otherwise for any secondary damages to a person or Project arising from the use or inability to use the Project because of a defect, whether such damages are incidental or consequential.

D. This Limited Warranty covers only construction activities on or within the residence. This Limited Warranty does not cover defects in recreational facilities, swimming pools, fences, driveways, landscaping, or other improvements which are not a part of the home.

4. OTHER RIGHTS. This Limited Warranty is in addition to any rights that the Owner may have under state, federal, and local laws, including but not limited to rights under applicable governmental codes, regulations or local ordinances. If the current edition of the Residential Construction Performance Guidelines as published by the National Association of Home Builders (“Guidelines”) includes a standard for specific work or activities covered by this Limited Warranty that is more stringent than one in the Homeowner Handbook, the Guidelines standard shall apply.

5. WARRANTY PROCEDURES. If Owner discovers a defect during the Warranty Period which is covered by this Limited Warranty, Owner shall notify Contractor in writing within (9) days of discovery, describing in specific terms the nature of such defect. Upon receipt of the written statement, Contractor's representatives will meet with Owner, inspect the item, and shall make efforts to have any defect covered by this Limited Warranty corrected within a reasonable period of time. If such discovery is made within nine (9) days prior to the expiration of the Warranty Period, Owner must also notify Contractor by phone within twenty-four (24) hours of such discovery at the address and number provided below. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION HEREOF, WARRANTOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY HEREUNDER UNLESS OWNER COMPLIES WITH ALL APPLICABLE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED HEREIN. The notice must be delivered to the following address: Street Address City Georgia, Zip Code: Contractor's phone number for notice within 24 hours of discovery of defects is

16. DISPUTE RESOLUTION NOTICE TO OWNER: GEORGIA LAW CONTAINS IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST FOLLOW BEFORE YOU MAY FILE A LAWSUIT OR OTHER ACTION FOR DEFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR WHO CONSTRUCTED, IMPROVED, OR REPAIRED YOUR HOME. NINETY DAYS BEFORE YOU FILE YOUR LAWSUIT OR OTHER ACTION, YOU MUST SERVE ON THE CONTRACTOR A WRITTEN NOTICE OF ANY CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS YOU ALLEGE ARE DEFECTIVE. UNDER THE LAW, A CONTRACTOR HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN OFFER TO REPAIR OR PAY FOR THE DEFECTS OR BOTH. YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO ACCEPT ANY OFFER MADE BY A CONTRACTOR. THERE ARE STRICT DEADLINES AND PROCEDURES UNDER STATE LAW, AND FAILURE TO FOLLOW THEM MAY AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO FILE A LAWSUIT OR OTHER ACTION.

*optional notice to include in installment contracts:

Notice to the Buyer

Do not sign this before you read it or if it contains any blank spaces. You are entitled to an exact copy of the paper you sign. You have the right to pay in advance the full amount due and under certain conditions to obtain a partial refund of the time price differential.

AGREED:

CONTRACTOR:

Signature

Print Name & Title

Date

License Number

Name and Address of License Holder

OWNER:

Signature

Print Name

Date

Address of Owner

Enter text

What the Excavation Backfill Grading and Hauling Contract Is

An Excavation Backfill Grading and Hauling Contract is a written agreement that allocates responsibilities, deliverables, schedule, and payment for earthwork operations including excavation, hauling of spoil or fill, backfilling, compaction, and final grading. It defines scope of work, unit prices or lump sums, site access, utility locates, material sources and testing requirements, safety and traffic control, insurance and bond requirements, change order procedures, acceptance criteria, and closeout documentation. Clear terms reduce disputes, protect lien rights, and set remedies for delays, defects, and unforeseen site conditions.

Why a Formal Contract Matters for Excavation and Hauling

A formal contract clarifies scope, shifts risk appropriately, and creates enforceable payment and performance terms to protect owners and contractors while supporting regulatory and permitting compliance.

Why a Formal Contract Matters for Excavation and Hauling

Who Typically Uses This Contract

This contract is used by construction stakeholders to document site earthwork obligations and controls before work begins.

  • General contractors and subcontractors responsible for performing earthwork on commercial or residential projects.
  • Property owners, developers, and municipal agencies procuring or overseeing excavation and grading services.
  • Site engineers, project managers, and procurement teams who coordinate permits, testing, and payments.

Well-drafted terms help each party manage risk, schedule inspections, and meet local permitting and bonding requirements.

Typical Signatories and Their Roles

Contractor — Project Manager

The contractor signs to accept scope, schedule, unit pricing or lump sum, insurance and bond obligations, safety procedures, and warranty terms; the project manager enforces daily operations and submits change orders.

Owner — Developer

The owner or developer signs to confirm site access, payment terms, approvals, testing obligations, and acceptance criteria; the owner typically authorizes change orders and final release of retainage.

Essential Compliance and Site Records

Insurance: General liability and workers' comp required
Performance Bond: Surety bond to secure completion
Permits: Local excavation and grading permits
Soil Report: Geotechnical report and compaction specs
Utility Locates: 99% utility clearance documentation
Safety Plan: Site-specific OSHA-compliant plan

Key Risks and Contractual Consequences

Cost Overruns: Change orders increase costs
Soil Contamination: Remediation liability risk
Permit Violations: Civil fines possible
Mechanic's Lien: Payment disputes may trigger liens
Schedule Delays: Liquidated damages or claims
Default: Termination and recovery remedies

Common Preparation and Execution Errors

  • Vague scope descriptions that omit excavation depths, compacted lift thickness, and testing frequencies, creating disputes over quantities and acceptance.
  • Failing to identify material sources or approved borrow sites, leading to rejected fill and rework costs and schedule impacts.
  • Omitting utility locate and protection obligations, increasing safety risks and potential damage claims with costly remediation.
  • No defined change order mechanism or pricing method for unanticipated conditions, which leaves parties without a clear path to equitable adjustments.

How to Complete the Contract Step by Step

Follow these practical steps in sequence to ensure the agreement is complete, enforceable, and aligned with project requirements.

  • 01
    Identify Parties: Enter full legal names and contact details
  • 02
    Describe Scope: Specify excavation, hauling, backfill, compaction, and grading tasks
  • 03
    Set Prices: Record unit rates or lump sums and payment schedule
  • 04
    Authorize Signatures: Obtain signatures, dates, and notarization if required

Typical Routing and Approval Workflow

A standard workflow moves the draft from authoring to review, approval, execution, and secure archiving with audit trails.

  • Drafting: Prepare scope, specs, and attachments
  • Review: Owner, engineer, and legal review the draft
  • Execution: Authorized signers sign and date the agreement
  • Recordkeeping: Store executed copies and test reports

Critical Contract Sections to Include

Include clearly worded sections that assign responsibilities, describe technical requirements, and govern payment, change orders, and dispute resolution.

Scope of Work

Define excavation limits, depths, backfill materials, compaction standards, and measurable acceptance criteria to avoid quantity and quality disputes.

Payment Terms

Specify unit pricing or lump sum, payment milestones, retainage percentage, invoicing requirements, and interest or dispute remedies for late payments.

Change Orders

Describe written change order process, authorization thresholds, pricing basis for unknown conditions, and time adjustment methodology.

Insurance & Bonds

List required insurance types, limits, additional insured endorsements, and performance/payment bond requirements where applicable.

Site Access & Utilities

State who provides access, utility shutdown coordination, utility locate responsibilities, and protection for existing improvements.

Acceptance & Testing

Include testing frequency, acceptance criteria, remedial obligations, and who pays for retesting or corrective work.

Settings and Workflow Configuration for Digital Completion

Configure a simple digital workflow that maps fields, authentication, and notifications to project roles before sending for signature.

Field Configuration
Signer Roles Owner | Contractor | Engineer as required
Authentication Email link or SMS code authentication
Attachments Attach plans, geotech report, and permits
Notifications Email reminders for pending signatures

Digital File Formats and Integration Considerations

Use standard file formats and integrations to preserve document fidelity and attach technical exhibits when sending contracts electronically.

  • Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and scanned images
  • Integrations: Procore, Google Workspace, NetSuite available
  • Audit Trail: Capture timestamps, IP, and signer identity

Verify chosen platform supports required authentication, preserves attachments, and provides secure storage with tamper-evident audit trails for dispute readiness.

Key Dates and Deadline Types to Record

Document the project's critical dates and payment-related deadlines to reduce disputes and support project scheduling.

Mobilization Date:

Date work starts and access is provided

Completion Date:

Contractual date for substantial completion

Payment Milestones:

Dates tied to measured progress or invoices

Submittal Deadlines:

Schedule for shop drawings and test reports

Warranty Period:

Start date and duration for workmanship warranty

Milestone Sequence from Award to Closeout

A typical milestone flow clarifies what must happen and when, creating objective checkpoints during the work.

01

Contract Award

Agreement execution and notice to proceed issued

02

Mobilization

Site setup, safety plan, and staging completed

03

Performance

Excavation, hauling, backfilling, and compaction performed

04

Closeout

Final testing, punch list, release of retainage, and record submission

Real-World Examples and Outcomes

Case examples show how organizations use standard contracts to speed approvals and reduce disputes in earthwork projects.

Optica Ventures LLC — COO

Optica streamlined contractor signings across projects with a consistent contract and workflows

  • Reduced turnaround on executed agreements by multiple days per project
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Martin Properties — Founder

A regional developer centralized their excavation terms into one template

  • Standardized change order handling across job sites
  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Practical Tips to Reduce Risk and Speed Execution

Adopt focused drafting habits to prevent disputes, accelerate payment, and simplify closeout.

Define Measurable Scope
Use clear metrics for volumes, depths, lift heights, compaction acceptance, and testing frequency so measurement disputes are minimized and payment can be tied to objective data.
Use Unit Pricing When Possible
Unit prices with measured quantities reduce conflicts over unknown site conditions; tie payments to certified field measurements and test reports for transparency.
Require Utility Locates
Make the locating, protection, and indemnity for existing utilities a specific contractual responsibility to limit damage claims and schedule disruptions.
Document Change Orders
Insist on written, signed change orders with pricing and time adjustments before additional work begins to avoid payment disputes.

eSignature Pricing Comparison for Contract Execution

Comparing common eSignature vendors shows starting price models, trial options, bulk send, audit trail, and HIPAA availability to support secure contract workflows.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about enforceability, notarization, signatures, and digital workflows for excavation and hauling agreements.


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