Access
Getting the dig into the backyard
Most Gilbert homes have a side gate and a block wall. One of them usually has to give.
This is an independent referral guide. It connects homeowners with independent providers and may receive compensation. It is not a licensed contractor and it does not do the work.
The side yard decides the equipment
Excavators and dump loads need a path. If the side yard is narrow, a builder may use smaller machines, remove a section of block wall, or both. Get in writing who removes the wall, who rebuilds it, and how it will match. A rebuilt wall that is part of the pool barrier also has to meet the barrier rules.
Mark utilities first
Arizona 811 is the free locating service. Underground lines should be marked before anyone digs. Source: Arizona 811.
Caliche and spoils
Caliche is a cemented soil layer common in the Phoenix area. It can make digging slower and may call for heavier equipment. Ask each builder how they handle hard digging in the contract, so a surprise layer does not become an open ended charge.
A pool also produces a lot of dirt. Ask whether it is hauled away, used to shape the yard, or both, and who handles any damage to the driveway or landscaping along the route.
Keep reading
Questions on this service
Do I need to be home for the dig?
Ask your builder. Access through a gate, pets, and sprinkler lines are easier to sort out in person on the first day.
Start with the backyard
Tell us the subdivision, the yard size, and how wide the side gate is.