Question 1

How much does excavation cost?

Accepted Answer

Excavation costs typically range from $3 to $12 per cubic yard for digging, plus $50 to $150 per truckload for hauling, plus $10 to $30 per cubic yard for disposal. Labor runs $35 to $60 per hour and equipment $100 to $250 per hour. Total project costs depend on volume, soil type, access conditions, and local rates. This calculator provides a rough estimate using national average rates that you can adjust.

Question 2

What factors affect excavation cost?

Accepted Answer

Key cost factors include soil type (rock costs more than sand), depth (deeper excavations require more time and different equipment), access conditions (tight spaces require smaller equipment), hauling distance to the disposal site, local labor rates, and whether the excavation requires dewatering or shoring. Seasonal demand and fuel prices also affect equipment costs.

Question 3

How do I estimate hauling costs?

Accepted Answer

Hauling costs depend on the number of truckloads (loose volume divided by truck capacity), the distance to the disposal site, and whether you are hauling by volume or weight. Heavy soils like clay may hit the truck weight limit before it is full by volume. This calculator accounts for both volume and weight when estimating truckloads.

Question 4

What is a contingency percentage?

Accepted Answer

A contingency percentage is an additional budget buffer to cover unexpected costs: hitting rock, encountering water, equipment breakdowns, or site access issues. For well-defined residential excavations, 5-10% contingency is typical. For less predictable commercial or industrial sites, 15-25% is more appropriate. The default is 10%.

Question 5

How can I use this calculator for bidding?

Accepted Answer

Use this calculator as a starting point by entering the project dimensions and adjusting the rates to match your local costs. Click any rate in the cost table to edit it. Then add your markup percentage using the contingency field (or externally). The itemized breakdown helps identify which cost categories dominate the project and where to negotiate.

Question 6

What are typical excavation costs by soil type?

Accepted Answer

Loose/sandy soil is the cheapest to excavate ($3-5/yd3 digging). Regular clay and silt cost moderate amounts ($4-8/yd3). Hard clay and compacted fill are more expensive ($6-10/yd3). Rock and frozen ground are the most expensive ($8-20/yd3) and may require specialized equipment like rock hammers or blasting.

Line Item	Qty	Unit	Subtotal
Excavation/Digging	176.57	yd³	$794.57
Hauling	13	loads	$975.00
Disposal	176.57	yd³	$2,648.55
Labor	4	hrs	$180.00
Equipment	4	hrs	$600.00
Contingency (10%)			$519.81
Total			$5,717.93

Excavation Cost Calculator

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How It Works

Self-Contained Volume Calculation

Cost Line Items

Inline Rate Editing

Contingency

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