Underground fiber and conduit work and crews

Underground fiber covers everything between the bore and the splice: open trenching, plowing, micro-trenching in pavement, setting handholes and vaults, then pulling or blowing fiber through the conduit. On most builds it is the bulk of the labor.

Also searched as: underground fiber crew, conduit installer, micro-trenching crew, cable puller, plow operator, handhole installer.

Who hires for this

Fiber primes, ISPs and municipal broadband projects post underground packages. Drill contractors also sub out the trench, handhole and pulling work around their bores.

What they ask for

• Excavator, trencher, plow or micro-trencher, depending on the method
• Pulling equipment or a fiber blower and the know-how to run it
• Crew that sets handholes to grade and restores cleanly
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 and a trench safety plan
• Certificate of insurance and a record of safe digging near utilities
• Daily production and as-built notes

How to land more of it

• Spell out which methods you run. A micro-trenching crew and a plow crew are not interchangeable.
• Mention if you handle your own restoration. Primes like one crew that leaves the yard finished.
• Show that you mark and photo each handhole and splice location. It saves the prime a trip.
• If you can blow fiber as well as pull it, list the blower you run.

What equipment do I need for underground fiber work?

It depends on the method. Trenching needs a mini excavator or trencher, plowing needs a vibratory plow, micro-trenching needs a saw rig and grout or backfill setup, and pulling needs a puller or blower. Most crews also need a trailer, compaction gear and hand tools for handholes.

Do I call in my own 811 ticket?

Often the prime holds the route ticket, but some contracts make every excavator responsible for their own. Ask before you start. Never dig without a valid ticket covering your work area, and hand dig or vac near marked lines.

What does micro-trenching involve?

A narrow saw cut in the pavement, small conduit laid in the slot, then backfill and a seal on top. Towns often have their own rules on depth, location and fill material, so read the permit conditions before you cut.

Where do I find underground fiber subcontracts?

Browse the underground fiber listings on the TrackOver board, or post a free crew profile with your methods and area. Primes posting trench, plow or pull packages can find you directly.