Opinion on hand dug trench on good size incline

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B&C

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Location
Alabama
Occupation
Jack of all trades
I have a job that needs a 38ft x2ft deep hand dug trench. The house is on top of a steap hill that goes out to the lake. He is needing electricity ran to a Pier he is building. How much would be fair for hand dug trench with Conditions being on a steap incline while digging it. I have dug many of trenches and some by hand but not on a pretty good size incline. I want to be fair to my client who has some other potential work for me in the near future but don't want to cut my throat either with a family to support. Just would like some opinions. Thanks
 
What amount of time do you estimate that it will take? Personally I've dug many trenches by hand but for something 2' deep I would consider renting a trencher.

Please update your profile to include your actual relation to the electrical industry.

Welcome to the Forum. :)
 
Digging on a hillside is going to be very dependent on your assement. Is the soil going to slip beneath you as you dig? Do you need someone below clearing it in wheel barrels to bring it back up the hill to back fill? How do you plan to compact to avoid it becoming exposed after first rainfall and some settling.

If it is not that steep then normal digging hours, but if you think you need to include some offset costs like putting in mesh to avoid dirt sliding or put in a temporary means of roping off then include all of that.

It got to the point where we typically have a geotech engineer advise digging methods for us. But California is VERY different with their water and soil issues. You could hit hard rock, soft sand, endangered plants, protected waterways, etc. The prices for the different permitting authorities differ.

Have you looked into boring equipment? It might be safer / easier.
 
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