The UK’s largest vacuum excavation fleet
25 years’ experience with Vacuum Excavation
Highly skilled, fully certified team
Trusted vacuum excavation specialists
24/7 Nationwide Vacuum Excavation
Perfect for precision excavation and no-dig operations
Why use vacuum excavation?
Vacuum excavation provides a safer, lower risk excavation alternative to more traditional excavation techniques. With our high suction powered trucks, we’re able to expertly excavate the ground with little risk of damage or personal injury.
Vacuum excavation is the smartest, safest, fastest, and most economical method of excavation. Its benefits include:
- Reducing reinstatement costs
- Greatly reducing the hazard of utility strikes
- Minimising traffic disruption
- Reducing the amount of manpower and equipment required
Have a question?
Get in touch to discuss vacuum excavation with our team and see how Pier (UK) Ltd can help you with your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vacuum excavation?
Vacuum excavation is also commonly known as suction excavation or vac-ex for short. They provide a precise solution with complete control using either a remote-controlled power arm or manually controlled floppy arm.
Watch the video for more information on vacuum excavation.
Who needs vacuum excavation?
Companies within construction, civil engineering, railways, highways, utilities, and telecommunication industries have all benefitted from our vacuum excavation hire.
Our excavators can be used to repair or replace buried assets and whether you require one metre, or an entire road excavated, our team will deliver a safe excavation every time.
How does vacuum excavation work?
Vacuum excavation (also known as suction excavation) is a non-destructive digging method that uses a combination of high-pressure air and a powerful vacuum system to safely remove soil and debris.
The process works in three simple steps:
- Loosening the ground – Air is used to break up soil without damaging underground utilities.
- Vacuum extraction – A high-powered suction hose removes the loosened material.
- Safe containment – The excavated material is stored in a debris tank for controlled disposal or reuse.
This method is widely used across the utilities, construction, rail, and environmental sectors because it significantly reduces the risk of damaging buried services such as gas, water, electric, and telecoms infrastructure.
Will I need a second man to operate?
Yes. Vacuum excavation is typically a two-person operation.
A standard setup includes:
- Operator/driver – Responsible for positioning and controlling the vacuum excavation unit
- Hose operator – Manages the suction hose and ensures safe, precise excavation
Having two trained professionals on-site ensures improved safety and compliance, better control and accuracy during excavation and efficient communication in high-risk environments.
Do you provide vacuum excavation training?
Yes, Pier (UK) Ltd can support vacuum excavation training. We understand that safe operation is critical, which is why training focuses on:
- Correct use of vacuum excavation equipment
- Health and safety best practices
- Working around live utilities and confined spaces
- Risk assessment and site preparation
Whether you’re looking to upskill your team or improve on-site safety and efficiency, our training ensures your workforce is confident and compliant when using vacuum excavation equipment.
How do I contact you about vac-ex hire?
Contacting Pier (UK) ltd is simple. You can either send us an email by clicking here or give us a call on 01925 228 674 and a member of our team will be on hand to help you.
Still have questions?
Nationwide Coverage, 24/7 Service
With over 50 suction excavators in our fleet, we are available to hire on an operated or self-hire basis across the UK, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
UK Market Leaders
Established in 2001, we are the UK market leader in vacuum excavation hire services and boast the largest and most modern fleet of suction excavators.
A Huge Variety of Excavators
We provide a professional and streamlined approach to vacuum excavation and with a fleet of excavators of different sizes and features, we have the perfect vehicle for your project.
About Pier (UK) Ltd
With continuous investment in our hire fleet, we became the market leaders in vacuum excavation in 2015 and have not looked back since.
We work across the civil engineering, construction, transport, and utility industries on both public and private projects. We support planned maintenance, improvement works, emergency repairs and other development projects.
As the industry leaders in vacuum excavation, we listen carefully to your requirements to ensure we provide the best solution for your project.
Download our brochures
Want to browse all we have to offer at a time that suits you? No problem! Simply download our brochure to find out more about our vacuum excavators.
