Excavator, bulldozer, backhoe, skid steer, crane and forklift operators with their own machines across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Livingston and Lapeer counties. Get free quotes, check credentials, and hire with confidence.
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Pick the service that matches your situation to see featured local pros, what to expect, and the Michigan rules that apply.
Featured spots are paid placements. The Verified badge records dated checks; other listed businesses have not been verified yet. Confirm current licensing, insurance and scope with each provider before hiring.
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Say what needs to be dug, moved, lifted or leveled, how much of it, and how the machine gets in. A good operator will tell you if a smaller or larger machine fits better.
Anyone digging must notify MISS DIG 811 first. Crane operators need certification under MIOSHA rules, and forklift operators need an employer permit. Ask who pulls any local permit.
How we check credentials →Compare the machine size, attachments, trucking to the site, minimum hours, cleanup and insurance. A faster crew on the right machine can beat a lower rate.
Equipment operators bring a machine and the skill to run it: digging a trench, clearing a lot, grading a yard, setting a load with a crane or unloading a truck with a forklift. Use this page to match the job to the right machine and request quotes from local operators. If you need a full excavation job with permits, planning and backfill, start with excavation contractors instead.
Share the address, what the machine needs to do, the rough size of the area or load, and photos of the access path. Note gates, fences, overhead wires, septic fields, sprinkler lines and soft lawns. For lifts, give the weight and the distance from where the crane can set up.
Michigan law requires notice to MISS DIG 811 at least three business days before digging, and MISS DIG does not mark private lines. MIOSHA Construction Safety Part 10 (Lifting and Digging Equipment) adopts the federal cranes standard, which requires certified crane operators for most construction cranes. Forklift operators must carry an employer issued operator permit under MIOSHA Part 21. Paid residential excavation above a threshold set by state law needs a LARA license, such as a Maintenance & Alteration license listing Excavation.
Machine make, size and attachments, whether trucking (mobilization) is included, the minimum charge, who handles spoils and cleanup, and proof of liability insurance naming the work address. For cranes, ask for the lift plan and the operator certification. Then check verification status as described in How We Vet.
Operators travel across all six counties, but permits come from the legal municipality, which is not always the city on your mailing address. In Detroit, building permits go through BSEED, and any work in the street, alley or sidewalk needs a right-of-way permit from DPW. Tight city lots and clay soils that turn soft after rain affect machine choice. Browse by city or county, such as Wayne or Macomb.
Tell us what you need, compare local equipment operators, and confirm insurance, certifications and permits before hiring.
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