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. The public hydrovac line is a modeled two-person truck rate, not an observed local quote. 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.
Use your agreed rates on every daily ticket.
These public ranges are a benchmark. SubTrack stores the rates you agreed with the client on a project rate sheet. Crews apply those rates to labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors on the daily ticket. The same figures carry into reporting and the billing documents you send.