Book it
- Kubota U27-4R1 Mini ExcavatorTight-tail-swing mini excavatorFrom $335/dayBook the Kubota U27-4R1 Mini Excavator
- 7x14 Dump TrailerHaul dirt, gravel and debrisFrom $155/dayBook the 7x14 Dump Trailer
- Wire Pull Kit (Cannon 6K + 2 ropes + spool stands)Puller, two 300 ft ropes, spool stands. $1,250 deposit.From $245/dayBook the Wire Pull Kit (Cannon 6K + 2 ropes + spool stands)
- Cannon 6K Wire Puller (3K/6K)4-speed dual capstan, no anchoring. $1,000 deposit.From $175/dayBook the Cannon 6K Wire Puller (3K/6K)
- Pull Rope, 300 ft300 ft pulling rope. 2 available.From $30/dayBook the Pull Rope, 300 ft
Free pickup in Pierce County; exact location sent after booking. Delivery is $200 each way; your job-site address is checked at checkout.
Where underground conduit goes
Most underground power jobs follow the same steps: plan the route, dig a trench, lay conduit, pull the wire, request the inspection before anything is buried, and backfill. Common runs:
- Detached shop, garage or ADU: A feeder in conduit from the house panel out to the outbuilding.
- EV charger: A circuit in conduit from the panel to a charger in a detached garage or by the driveway.
- Gate opener or yard lights: A smaller circuit in conduit along a driveway, fence line or path.
Plan the job first
Request a utility locate
- WA 811 says to contact 811 at least two, but no more than ten, business days before you start digging. The day of the notice, weekends and holidays do not count.
- Mark the boundary of your dig area in white paint first (“whitelining”). For a conduit run, that is the whole trench route.
- Utilities do not mark private lines, such as electricity for an outbuilding. WA 811 suggests a private utility locator for those.
Get the electrical permit from the right office
- Washington L&I says an electrical permit is required for most electrical work, and whoever does the work buys the permit before starting.
- Doing it yourself? L&I says owners should buy a permit only for work they do themselves on their own property, and it strongly encourages hiring an electrical contractor, who buys their own permit.
- L&I does not issue permits in the cities on its city list or in Tacoma Power’s service area, which L&I says includes Tacoma, Fircrest, University Place, Fife, parts of Steilacoom, Lakewood and unincorporated Pierce County as far south as Roy. Everywhere else, L&I issues the permit.
- Connecting power for the first time? L&I says to contact your serving utility (power company) and follow its requirements.
Confirm the depth and the inspection
- Required depth depends on the wiring method and where the run goes. Check the depth with your electrical inspector before you dig.
- L&I says to request inspection before you bury or conceal anything. Book enough excavator days to leave the trench open until then.
Summaries for planning only; follow the official text: WA 811, L&I permit basics, L&I permits and inspections, L&I permits, fees and inspections, L&I city list. Town permit offices: Puyallup · Bonney Lake · Sumner · Auburn · Enumclaw.
Dig the trench with the Kubota U27-4
The Kubota U27-4 is a tight-tail-swing mini excavator on rubber tracks. Kubota lists its overall width as 4 ft 11 in and max digging depth as 9 ft 5 in (Kubota U27-4 brochure, PDF). Our listing names trenching and utility lines among the jobs it is good for.
- Measure your narrowest gate or side path to the route, including posts and hinges, before you book.
- Keep the spoil on one side of the trench. Most of it goes back in when you backfill.
More in the mini excavator rental guide. Digging a drain line too? See the yard drainage guide.
Pull the wire through the conduit
The wire pull kit is the full setup: the Cannon 6K wire puller, two 300 ft pull ropes and the wire spool stand set. Each piece also books on its own: the Cannon 6K wire puller, the 300 ft pull rope (2 available) and the spool stand set.
- Measure the whole run, panel to end point. If the run plus margin is longer than 300 ft, call or email us before you book.
- The Cannon 6K page lists a pickup weight of 163 lb. Bring a helper or a truck with a ramp or liftgate, or choose delivery.
- Rope and safety details are on each product page. Read the Cannon 6K, pull rope and wire pull kit pages before you book.
Kit vs pieces and how much rope you need: wire puller rental guide. Bends, pull points, lube and spool setup: pulling wire through conduit guide.
Backfill and haul the extra
After the inspection, most of the spoil goes back in the trench. The 7x14 dump trailer hauls away what is left and brings in sand or gravel if you need it. It is not for hazardous waste; please return it emptied and swept.
- Extra dirt? The Pierce County Transfer Stations page lists locations, hours and what each station accepts.
- Cover dirt, sand or gravel on paved roads unless you keep six inches of freeboard in the bed (RCW 46.61.655).
Towing checks: dump trailer rental guide.
Day, weekend or week?
Mini excavator: At the day rate, 3 days is $1,005 and 4 days is $1,340, vs $1,050 for a week. The weekend rate is $490 (Friday 9 AM pickup to Monday 3 PM return).
7x14 dump trailer: At the day rate, 3 days is $465 and 4 days is $620, vs $575 for a week. The weekend rate is $200 (Friday 9 AM pickup to Monday 3 PM return).
Wire pull kit: $245 a day or $700 a week. At the day rate, 3 days is $735.
Prices are before WA sales tax and the 1.25% heavy equipment rental tax where it applies. Your exact total shows at checkout.
Questions
Do I need to call 811 before trenching for conduit?
Yes. WA 811 says to contact 811 at least two, but no more than ten, business days before you start digging, and to mark the dig area in white paint first.
Do I need an electrical permit to run power to my shop?
Most likely. Washington L&I says an electrical permit is required for most electrical work, and whoever does the work buys it. Some cities and Tacoma Power's service area issue their own permits.
How deep does underground conduit need to be?
It depends on the wiring method and where the run goes, so check the depth with your electrical inspector before you dig. L&I says to request inspection before you bury anything.
How much does it cost?
The mini excavator is $335 a day or $1,050 a week. The 7x14 dump trailer is $155 a day or $575 a week. The wire pull kit is $245 a day or $700 a week. Prices are before WA sales tax and the 1.25% heavy equipment rental tax where it applies. Your exact total shows at checkout.
Can you deliver it?
Yes. Delivery is $200 each way; your job-site address is checked at checkout. Or choose pickup: Free pickup in Pierce County; exact location sent after booking.
More guides: all rental guides. Which guide fits your job? Water line or side sewer, not power: water and sewer line trenching.