Hydro-excavation questions, answered
Straight answers about hydro-excavation around Midland and about how this free matching service works.
Are you a hydrovac company?
No. MidlandHydroExcavation.com is a free request service run by Voraus LLC. We pass your request to an independent hydro-excavation contractor, which does the work under its own contract, insurance and safety program.
Does it cost anything to send a request?
No. It's free. Contractors may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything, and you're free to get other quotes.
What's the difference between hydrovac and air vac?
Hydro excavation uses pressurized water to loosen soil; air excavation uses compressed air. Water cuts hard ground and caliche faster but creates slurry that must be disposed of. Air leaves dry spoil that can often be backfilled. Some contractors offer both.
Who calls Texas811?
The excavator, meaning whoever is doing the digging, is responsible for the locate request, at least 48 hours before digging, excluding weekends and holidays. Confirm in your agreement who holds the ticket.
How is hydrovac billed?
Usually hourly per truck and crew with a minimum, often portal-to-portal. Disposal, standby and travel may be extra. Ask for all charges in writing.
Can hydrovac cut through caliche?
Yes, though it's slower than in sandy soil. Production depends on hardness and depth.
Where does the excavated material go?
The slurry is hauled to an approved disposal site. If material may be contaminated, special handling and disposal rules apply.
Do you take emergency calls?
Use the call button or form and mark the timeline as urgent. Availability depends on the contractor's crews at the time.
What do you need in the request?
Location, county, what's being exposed, approximate number of holes or trench length, depth if known, operator requirements and timing.
How do I stop communications?
Reply "stop" to any email from us or use the contact in our privacy policy, and we'll stop contacting you and stop sharing your request.
Safety, compliance and what to check
Texas doesn't issue a specific license for hydro-excavation. What matters is safety and compliance: a written safety program, trained crews, appropriate insurance, DOT compliance for the trucks, and approval by the operators whose sites you're working on. Many operators require contractors to be registered with third-party compliance platforms and to meet their safety metrics.
We don't vet, insure or supervise any contractor, and a match isn't an endorsement. Confirm insurance, safety requirements and who holds the Texas811 ticket before work starts.
Questions worth asking a hydrovac contractor
- What's your hourly rate, minimum, and is it portal-to-portal?
- How do you handle caliche, and what production should I expect?
- Where will the slurry be disposed, and how are disposal fees billed?
- Who will call in and hold the Texas811 ticket?
- Are you approved on the compliance platforms my operator requires?
- What truck size and water capacity will you bring?
Ready to get your hydro-excavation project moving?
Even a brief request helps: "Pothole 6 crossings on a gathering line north of Midland, Martin County, next week, operator requires hydrovac within 24 inches."