Most civil contractors already install the toughest underground structures on the site — concrete pipe, box culverts, storm systems, and wet/dry utilities. Because of that experience, they’re naturally well-equipped to install precast duct banks with the same equipment, the same crew structure, and the same safety practices they use every day. Electrical contractors remain essential for terminations, testing, energizing, and system performance. This isn’t about shifting scope away from ECs — it’s about giving project teams another way to keep the schedule moving safely and predictably. Duct Bank One provides the duct-bank-specific expertise civil crews need to step into this role with confidence.

Civil Contractors Already Do 80% of the Work Required

BLUF: Civils handle excavation and structure placement every day — precast duct banks slot directly into that workflow.

Civil crews excel at:

  • Excavating and preparing trenches
  • Managing trench boxes and safety
  • Setting precast concrete structures
  • Bedding, compaction, and backfill
  • Maintaining grade and controlling elevations
  • Coordinating trench logistics with other trades

Precast duct banks are simply another precast structure — but with electrical performance requirements. DBO provides the knowledge to bridge that gap.

How DBO Helps Civil Crews Hit Day-1 Efficiency

1. Clear, Field-Ready Installation Methodology

Civil teams get a step-by-step workflow covering trench prep, bedding, alignment, corner transitions, sealing, and backfill — built from real installs.

2. Section-View & Elevation Guidance

We walk crews through the exact geometry of their run:

  • 2×4×4 banks
  • 3×10×4 banks
  • 20-way and 30-way clusters
  • Vault tie-ins
  • Parallel expansion strategies

Civil contractors instantly understand this once they see the plan laid out clearly.

3. Corner Bends, Tie-Ins & Adjustments

We provide guidance on:

  • When to use factory bends
  • When to use closure pours
  • How to transition into vaults cleanly
  • How to raise or lower elevation in small increments

This eliminates the uncertainty that slows down first-time installers.

4. Hands-On Training (Onsite or at DBO’s Training Facility)

Our live trench training environment lets operators practice in real soil conditions using an excavator — not a shop floor. Onsite startup support is included for the first install. Civil crews routinely hit production speed before product even reaches their project.

5. Guided Dowel-Pin Alignment

DBO’s alignment system keeps hands clear and installs straight:

  • Operators land pieces within ~18 inches
  • Pins pull the joint together
  • No hand alignment
  • No pry bars
  • No in-trench adjustments

Civil crews adapt to this instantly because it mirrors how they already set other precast structures.

Why GCs and Owners Like Civils Installing Precast

BLUF: It improves schedule reliability, safety, and field coordination — without changing trade boundaries.

1. Uses the Same Excavator Already on Site

No crane mobilization or additional lifecycle costs. The machine that digs the trench sets the duct bank — simple, predictable, efficient.

2. Faster Trench Turnover (400–600 LF/day)

Civil crews trained by DBO commonly achieve 400–600 linear feet per day with same-day backfill. That compresses open-trench time from days to hours, improving safety and site access.

3. ECs Stay Focused on High-Value Electrical Work

No trade displacement — just better coordination. This approach preserves the natural division of labor:

  • Civils handle the earthwork and placement
  • ECs handle the electrical scope they’re trained and tooled for

4. Helps GCs Meet Prefab & Offsite Construction Mandates

Civil-installed precast aligns with modern GC priorities:

  • Reduced trench exposure
  • Repeatable installation rates
  • Less labor stacking
  • More predictable scheduling
  • Faster release to other trades

5. Less Schedule Risk, Less Safety Exposure

Shorter trench windows and hands-free alignment mean fewer safety variables and fewer opportunities for project-level delays.

A Practical Option Many Teams Haven’t Considered

Civil-installed precast duct banks aren’t a replacement for electrical contractors.

They’re a smart construction option teams can choose when:

  • Schedules are tight
  • Labor is stretched
  • Trench windows are short
  • Risk needs to be minimized
  • Coordination between trades is critical

DBO makes that option practical through training, guidance, and field-tested installation methods.

Want Your Civil Crew Ready on Day 1?

DBO provides:

  • Live-trench training at our Canton facility
  • Onsite startup support
  • Full installation methodology
  • Section-view and elevation coaching
  • Tie-in and corner-bend planning
  • Guided-pin safety orientation

Your civil crew can install precast duct banks confidently and safely — starting on Day 1.