Construction glossary
Daylighting (potholing)
Also called potholing, soft dig, hydro excavation, SUE Level A.
Daylighting is exposing a buried utility so you can see it — usually with a hydrovac — before a hoe gets near the line. People also search potholing, soft dig, and SUE Level A.
Why it is not a backhoe hour
A backhoe is cheaper per hour and more expensive after a strike. Hydrovac water-cuts and vacuums the spoil so the pipe or cable is visible. 2026 standard combo-truck work commonly quotes $275–$400/hr in the US, with oil-and-gas and emergency call-outs higher. Disposal and water are often extra.
How it shows up on a LEM
The truck and two-person crew are usually one operated line. Portal-to-portal versus on-site, a four-hour minimum, and slurry disposal need to be on the sheet before the first hole. Open the hydrovac rate page for the public range, then lock your number.
Daylighting FAQ
Is daylighting the same as hydrovac?
Daylighting is the task. Hydrovac is the common machine. Air vac and careful hand dig can also daylight a line.
What is SUE Level A?
Quality Level A in subsurface utility engineering: the utility is exposed and measured. Daylighting is how you get there.
The index is a benchmark. Rate sheets are how you bill.
Rates shows public charge-out ranges. SubTrack rate sheets lock your crew numbers into a template the field actually bills from, on every LEM.
One template, every job
Labor, equipment, materials, and subs live in one sheet. Assign it to a project and tickets read the same numbers.
OT and markup apply themselves
Standby, overtime, and markup rules ride with the sheet. The field does not retype them.
The client sees what they signed
Line items match the agreed rates. Fewer disputes, faster approvals.
Project rate sheet
Labor · assigned to the job
| Position | Reg. rate | OT rate |
|---|---|---|
| Foreman | $72/hr | $108/hr |
| Operator | $68/hr | $102/hr |
| Laborer | $35/hr | $52.50/hr |