Thanks for taking the time to give such a complete answer. Most people think anyone can dig a hole, that it is a job that any dummy can do. But IT JUST AIN'T SO. Low bid inexperienced operators can cost a huge amount of money for the total project.
I have the experience of having been a residential construction forman, and most people can't believe the stuff we had to contend with because the hole and footings were poorly done. Every other trade just built on top of what was there, telegraphing the excavating errors right to the roof line. (I was not the first forman on that site, but was hired to straighten out a horrific mess). We had to jack up the house and then pour wedge shape mud sills beneath the rim joists to get the house level and straight. And also jack up the center of the basement and repour footing spacers to get the floors straight and level. Boy, was the general contractor ugly about that cost over-run. Served the SOB right for hiring low bid excavator, concrete, and framing sub contractors, and thinking he is going to pocket and extra thou or so.
I also have some digging experience, have my own 14 ft backhoe. But I've done enough to know that I am an amateur with it. My brother is a professional excavator with 2 track hoe machines and a pro series laser level that he can use with the hoes. He can grade a flat bottom without having a rod man available. Some lady drove up in my yard, seeing my backhoe, and wanted me to contract dig a swimming pool for her. I told her quite emphatically she needed a professional excavator. I wasn't even going to look at the job.
I must echo your advice in doing the legal thing with the "Gopher One call" as it is known in this state. I know of certain fields where it looks to be completely open land...horse pasture that has buried optical cable running diagonally through the property. Some guy was cleaning manure out of the loafing shed with a bobcat and severed the burried cable. Evidently the pole shed was built over the cable without hitting it. We never know where all this underground wire is!!
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