Three things to know
- The fence type determines the excavation brief.
- Clarify the route and boundary before the machine arrives.
- Describe pedestrian and vehicle gates separately.
Contents of this guide
Start with the fence structure
Distinguish continuous foundations, individual post foundations and other designed elements. Supply dimensions from your chosen fencing system's documents and the specific design. The route, boundary and utilities must be clarified before digging. Identify pedestrian gates, vehicle entrances and changes of direction separately: their requirements may differ from a standard section.
Clarify the route and boundary before excavation
An old fence may not provide a sufficient basis for locating a new one. If the boundary position is uncertain, address it with a specialist and the affected owners before booking excavation. The brief should explain the basis of the marked route, its changes of direction and who to contact about the documents.
Also distinguish the working area from the fence position itself. If access, storage or workers' movements require neighbouring land, clarify those arrangements beforehand. Waiting until the machine arrives to resolve a lack of space is neither safe nor practical.
Check utilities along the entire affected route
Prepare utility documents for the proposed fence, gates and access route. Each operator's conditions must inform preparation. For example, ČEZ Distribuce requires its relevant underground equipment to be marked on site before the works concerned, and workers to be informed of its position. Verify the actual conditions for the affected utility.
State which operator statements you have, what has been marked and what remains outstanding. Do not assume you will avoid cables simply because you are digging only a few holes. Where the situation is unclear, confirm the next steps against the operators' documents.
ČEZ Distribuce — requirements for work within underground utility protection zones (Czech) ↗
Plan space for the excavator, soil and other materials
Photograph both ends of the route, the narrowest access point and changes of direction. Finished surfaces, shrubs, low branches, slopes and space around the future foundations also matter. Gate width alone does not confirm that safe working is possible.
Decide in advance whether soil will stay on site or be removed. Stockpiles must not block the next excavation section or access. If concrete, posts or other materials are also due, coordinate their delivery with the work sequence. On a confined site, that sequence is part of the brief.
Identify gates, entrances and corners as separate points
The total fence length does not describe every point requiring a specific design. Mark corners, pedestrian gates, vehicle entrances and connections to retained sections on the site plan. Ask the fencing supplier for their foundation requirements and relationship to future ground levels. Do not automatically apply a standard section's foundation dimensions to all these points.
Agree consistent section references before ordering. A client's 'left-hand side' can be ambiguous when the contractor is looking from the opposite direction. A simple sketch labelled A, B and C, with the supporting documents, makes it clear which location a quote or variation concerns.
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
| Location along the route | What to supply for excavation | What not to infer from the rest of the fence |
|---|---|---|
| Standard section | Fence type and its foundation design. | Dimensions based only on a photograph of a similar fence. |
| Pedestrian gate or vehicle entrance | Supplier's requirements and level relationships. | Foundations copied from the adjacent post. |
| Corner or junction | An unambiguously labelled point on the plan. | Position based only on a vague verbal description. |
| Retained structure | What remains and the proposed intervention. | Whether it can be extended without assessing its actual condition. |
Agree who accepts the excavation and what follows
If another contractor is building the fence, provide their drawings and requirements before digging. Confirm who checks the position and readiness of the excavation and when the next stage can proceed. Design changes during work need a clear contact and an approved effect on scope.
SORTI offers earthworks and fencing to an agreed brief. Separate excavation from any subsequent fence construction in your enquiry. Include the municipality, documents and photographs; confirm equipment and the exact scope with Petr Mašín.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should fence foundations be?
Follow the design for the particular fence and local conditions. One depth cannot be applied to every fence type.
Can I book digging only?
Yes. Separate excavation from subsequent construction in the brief. Confirm the documents and requirements of whoever will accept the excavation beforehand.
Is fence length enough for a quote?
It helps initially, but add the foundation type, gates, entrances, corners, access and soil handling to define the actual scope.
Who supplies foundation dimensions for a gate?
The documents must match the particular design. Confirm them with the responsible supplier; do not simply copy dimensions from a standard fence section.
Have a fencing design and need excavation?
Send the labelled route and foundation documents, identifying gates and entrances separately. Add any removal requirement and the next contractor's contact.