We have a Vermeer motorized walk-behind auger that fit just about anywhere. It weighs about 2,000lb and has rubber tracks – making it very turf friendly.
We also have clam shell diggers, shovels, and other tools needed for hand digging if necessary.
Our machine is 36″ wide, so we would need a minimum of 36″ clearance with no steep slope or stairs and no sharp or narrow turns to access the dig site.
While we do not recommend having our machine drive or any freshly laid stone, concrete, or sod areas, our machine has rubber tracks which should not cause any damage to a standard lawn. However if the ground is wet from rain it may leave some temporary tread-marks in the grass. If you are concerned about damage to your property we recommend supplying us a few (3 or 4) sheets of plywood for us to drive on which will minimize the impact to your lawn.
For fence posts client has two options: we can supply the posts and concrete needed for the job or the client can supply these materials and we will dig and install the posts. As well, the client must provide the property boundaries or post hole locations.
For deck footings we use helical piles and our prices reflect the cost of supplying and installing these piles. Client only needs to provide the locations where they will be installed.
Locates are reports that indicate where, on your property, the underground utility lines run. It is mandatory in Ontario, whenever you are digging, to have this valid paperwork on site. It is the responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to request these locates from Ontario One. We are happy to provide our clients with this service free of charge.
Locates are easily acquired by calling Ontario One, a private company that works with many organizations that have their services running underground. This is a free service and usually takes 5 -7 business days to complete. Locates can be requested online – the form is available on their website ontarioonecall.ca
Please note: private gas lines, pool lines, or septic tanks must be located separately as Ontario One does not locate private services.
Yes, you would still need to get locates even if you are replacing a deck or fence because we cannot be sure how the holes were dug previously and we cannot assume this responsibility. As it is mandatory to have valid locates before digging anywhere in Ontario we do require them on every job site.
We recommend waiting at least 48 hours before starting any work on your deck or fence. For best results, especially if it has been raining and damp, it is recommended you wait up to 36 hours before putting any significant weight on deck footings.
We are based in King Township in York Region. Our regular service area is the whole Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – from Mississauga to Ajax and north to Barrie, we will be more than happy to try and accommodate you, so please feel free to contact us to discuss your project.
The standard rule of thumb for fence posts is to bury 1/3 of the post (ie. 3.5ft for a 10ft post and 4ft for a 12ft post). However a minimum of 3.5ft is required for any job to ensure we dig below the frost line.
The homeowner is responsible for providing the property boundaries. Normally the homeowner receives a land survey with the purchase of their house. This survey can be used to map out the property line.
You will need precise measurements if you are using or require any of the following:
- Prefabricated panels or reusing existing panels.
- If you want the posts set at a specific distance (ie: 6′ apart without room for inaccuracies).
If any of the above applies to your project then we will need to measure and set the posts at an exact distance a part and this requires 100% precision and accuracy. If there are any underground obstructions and your project requires precise measurements, then that won’t allow us to move the location of the hole or work around it. However, if you don’t require precise measurements then we can simply move the location of the hole.
Our contractors are skilled and happy to help you with all your backyard projects. We can just dig holes, set posts or build your fence or deck. We also build gazebos, raised garden beds, trees houses and more. Reach out to discuss your backyard project and see how we can help.
Generally we price our jobs on a per hole basis. The prices will depend on the size of hole you require as well as on how many holes. You can visit our pricing pages for general pricing. And we are more than happy to give you a free estimate for your job; you can contact us by phone at 905-731-6163 or fill out our online estimate form.
We accept full payment upon completion of our work. For payment we accept etransfer, most credit cards, or cheque.
Yes. We are a fully insured (including liability insurance) and WSIB compliant.
Normally there will be a crew of 1-3 people on site. There will be one person digging on the auger and 1-2 workers that assist with the digging and installing the posts. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing exactly how long each job will take but normally we can install 10 4”x4” posts or 7 6”x6” in an hour, however, there are many factors that could affect the amount of time it takes to dig.
At The Post Hole Diggers we takes pride in the work we do and its reflects by the service you receive. From the initial estimate until after the job is done we will be upfront and responsive. Once we book the appointment we will send you a confirmation email with the estimate and all the information you need to know to ensure everything goes smoothly, we will follow up with you before the appointment to confirm all the details, when the crew is onsite they will explain all the important information you need to know so that you feel comfortable and we will not leave until you are happy with the work, even after the work is done we will follow up with you to ensure you were happy with the work that was done for you. Our focus is customer satisfaction!!
We will always strive to leave a site as clean as possible. However, we do leave any dirt or debris that we pull out of the ground on site. We are not equipped to remove this dirt off-site and as such the homeowner is responsible for the removal of any dirt, posts, concrete, rocks, roots, etc.
Helical piles, also known as screw piles, are deep foundation piers that utilize torque in order to provide sufficient stability and support as oppose to using cement.
They come with a helix, also known as a plate or helical flights, attached at the end of the pile. The top of the pile allows for a number of different types of brackets to be used for underpinning, deck beams, etc.
These foundation piers are a great alternative to concrete. With helical piles there is no need for sonotubes, no soil is displaced, and no wait times while the concrete dries – you can start work immediately after they are installed; as well, they are durable and backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Helical piles deliver a number of benefits over other concrete piers. Some of these benefits include:
- Quick turnaround time – Since helical piles do not require any cement, construction can begin instantly after the installation.
- Versatility – They can be installed within diverse soil and environmental condition.
- Galvanized – Our piles are galvanized so they won’t rot or rust.
- Environmentally safe and friendly – Helical piles do not require cement so they leave behind a much smaller carbon footprint and they can be safely installed within areas that might be considered hazardous to the environment using other deep foundation systems.
Helical piles are useful for those who have a tight time frame, environmental concerns, or those who have restrictions or needs that cannot be solved or met using cement footings.