Trenches: 2-4 ft, foundations: 3-5 ft, pools: 3-8 ft
Excavation Estimate
Estimated Total Cost
$5,778 – $13,333
88.89 cubic yards of topsoil / loose fill
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Last updated: 2026-03-30
Quick Answer: How Much Does Excavation Cost?
Excavation costs $40-$250 per cubic yard depending on soil type. Multiply Length x Width x Depth (in feet) and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by your soil type rate. Add $15-$50 per cubic yard for hauling if the dirt leaves the site.
Inputs you'll need
- Length, width, and depth of the excavation area (feet)
- Soil type (topsoil, clay, rocky, or sandy)
- Whether excavated material needs hauling off-site
Excavation Cost Per Cubic Yard by Soil Type
Soil conditions are the single biggest factor in excavation pricing. Loose topsoil digs fast with a standard bucket. Clay requires more horsepower and takes longer. Rocky ground can double or triple the cost if a hydraulic breaker or blasting is needed.
| Soil Type | Cost Per Cubic Yard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy soil | $40-$80 | Fast to dig, but trenches need shoring |
| Topsoil / loose fill | $50-$100 | Most common residential soil type |
| Clay / compacted | $75-$150 | Heavy equipment, slower production |
| Rocky soil | $100-$250 | May need breakers or blasting |
Hauling adds $15-$50 per cubic yard for off-site disposal. If the excavated material can stay on-site for backfill or grading, you save that cost entirely.
Excavation Depth by Project Type
| Project | Typical Depth | Width / Area Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation footings | 3-5 ft | Add 2-3 ft each side for formwork |
| Full basement | 8-10 ft | Full house footprint + working room |
| Pool excavation | 3-8 ft | Pool shape + 1-2 ft per side |
| Utility trench | 2-4 ft | 1-2 ft wide for pipe or conduit |
| French drain | 18-24 in | 12-18 in wide |
| Site grading | 6-18 in | Full lot or building pad area |
Worked Examples: Real Excavation Projects
Example A (foundation dig): 40 x 30 ft footprint, 4 ft deep, topsoil
- Volume = 40 x 30 x 4 = 4,800 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 4,800 / 27 = 177.8 cy
- Excavation at $50-$100/cy = $8,889-$17,778
- Hauling at $15-$50/cy = $2,667-$8,889
- Total estimate = $11,556-$26,667
Example B (utility trench): 60 ft long x 2 ft wide, 3 ft deep, clay soil
- Volume = 60 x 2 x 3 = 360 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 360 / 27 = 13.3 cy
- Excavation at $75-$150/cy = $1,000-$2,000
- Hauling at $15-$50/cy = $200-$667
- Total estimate = $1,200-$2,667
Example C (pool dig): 30 x 15 ft, 6 ft deep, sandy soil
- Volume = 30 x 15 x 6 = 2,700 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 2,700 / 27 = 100 cy
- Excavation at $40-$80/cy = $4,000-$8,000
- Hauling at $15-$50/cy = $1,500-$5,000
- Total estimate = $5,500-$13,000
Building on a gravel base after excavation? Use the gravel calculator to estimate backfill material. For concrete foundations and footings, the concrete calculator handles yards and bag counts. Need to estimate the full project? Our construction cost estimator covers all trades from excavation through finish work.
Pro Tips From the Field
- Always call 811 first. Utility locates are free and required by law. Hitting an unmarked gas or electric line can cost thousands in repairs and shut down your project.
- Get a soil report for big digs. A geotechnical report ($500-$2,000) tells you what is underground before the excavator shows up. Surprises mid-dig are expensive.
- Add working room. For foundations, add 2-3 ft on each side of the footing for forms, waterproofing, and drain tile. You will need the space.
- Stockpile topsoil separately. Strip and pile topsoil before digging subsoil. You can reuse it for final grading and landscaping instead of buying new material.
- Check access before pricing. A standard excavator needs an 8-10 ft wide path to reach the dig site. Tight access may require a mini excavator at a different rate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting swell factor. Excavated soil expands 20-40% in volume compared to its in-ground state. If you are hauling 100 cy of in-ground material, you will need truck capacity for 120-140 cy of loose material.
- Digging too close to property lines. Most jurisdictions require setbacks from property lines. Check your survey and local codes before the excavator starts.
- Skipping OSHA trench safety. Any trench 5 ft or deeper requires shoring, sloping, or a trench box. Cave-ins are one of the deadliest construction hazards.
- Not planning for water. Excavations below the water table will flood. Dewatering (pumping) adds $500-$2,000+ to the project and may require permits.
Need to turn your excavation estimate into a complete project bid? Try EstimationPro free to build professional estimates from photos and notes in minutes. EstimationPro handles the entire workflow from estimate to proposal to automated follow-up to invoicing and payment, so you can win more of the bids you already send and get home to your family instead of spending the evening on paperwork.
Excavation Costs & Planning Guide
Excavation costs by soil type, project depth recommendations, and equipment guidance for residential site work.
How Much Does Excavation Cost in 2026?
Excavation costs $40-$250 per cubic yard depending on soil type, depth, and site access.
- Topsoil/loose fill: $50-$100/cy (easiest to dig)
- Clay/compacted soil: $75-$150/cy (requires heavier equipment)
- Sandy soil: $40-$80/cy (easy digging but may cave in)
- Rocky soil: $100-$250/cy (may need rock breakers or blasting)
- Hauling and disposal: $15-$50/cy additional
Most residential excavation projects (foundations, pools, trenches) run $1,500-$10,000 total depending on scope.
Key Takeaways
- Topsoil: $50-$100/cy
- Clay: $75-$150/cy
- Rocky soil: $100-$250/cy
- Hauling adds $15-$50/cy
Common Excavation Project Types
Different projects require different excavation depths and approaches.
- Foundation footings: 3-5 ft deep, width depends on foundation design
- Basement dig-out: 8-10 ft deep, full footprint plus 2-3 ft working room on each side
- Pool excavation: 3-8 ft deep depending on pool design, add 1-2 ft on each side
- Utility trenches: 2-4 ft deep, 1-2 ft wide for water, sewer, and electrical lines
- Site grading: Typically 6-18 inches of cut/fill to establish proper drainage slopes
- French drain: 18-24 inches deep, 12-18 inches wide
Always call 811 (Call Before You Dig) at least 48 hours before any excavation to get underground utilities marked.
Key Takeaways
- Foundations: 3-5 ft deep
- Basements: 8-10 ft deep
- Pools: 3-8 ft deep
- Call 811 before digging
How Soil Type Affects Excavation Cost
Soil type is the biggest factor in excavation pricing because it determines what equipment is needed and how fast the work goes.
- Sandy soil: Digs fast but collapses easily. Trenches need shoring or sloping for safety. Cheapest to excavate.
- Topsoil/loam: Easy to dig with a standard excavator. Most common in residential settings.
- Clay soil: Heavy and sticky when wet, hard when dry. Takes longer to dig and wears out equipment faster.
- Rocky soil: May need a hydraulic breaker, rock saw, or blasting. Costs 2-3x more than topsoil.
If you are not sure what soil type you have, a soil test or geotechnical report ($500-$2,000) can tell you exactly what is below the surface.
Key Takeaways
- Sandy: cheapest but needs shoring
- Clay: 50-75% more than topsoil
- Rocky: 2-3x more expensive
- Soil test: $500-$2,000
Equipment Used for Residential Excavation
The right machine depends on the job size and site access.
- Mini excavator (3-6 ton): Fits through gates, good for trenches and small foundation digs. $200-$500/day rental.
- Standard excavator (10-20 ton): Foundation and pool digs, site clearing. $500-$1,200/day rental.
- Backhoe: Versatile loader/digger combo. Good for trenches and moderate digs. $300-$700/day rental.
- Skid steer with bucket: Site grading, spreading, and loading. $200-$450/day rental.
- Dump truck: Hauls excavated material off-site. $400-$800/day or $15-$50/cy hauling rate.
Most contractors include equipment costs in their per-cubic-yard rates. Rental prices are mainly relevant if you are doing the work yourself or hiring an operator separately.
Key Takeaways
- Mini excavator: $200-$500/day
- Standard excavator: $500-$1,200/day
- Backhoe: $300-$700/day
- Most contractors bundle equipment into per-cy rate
How to Use This Calculator
Select your soil type
Choose topsoil, clay, rocky, or sandy soil. Soil type determines equipment needs and directly affects the per-cubic-yard cost of excavation.
Enter the excavation dimensions
Input length, width, and depth in feet. For trenches, width is the trench width. For foundations, measure the full footprint plus 2 ft of working room on each side.
Choose whether to include hauling
Hauling adds $15-$50 per cubic yard for off-site disposal. Turn this off if the excavated material will be reused on-site for backfill or grading.
Review your excavation estimate
See total cubic yards, excavation cost, hauling cost, and the combined estimate. Adjust dimensions or soil type to compare scenarios for your project.
Excavation Calculation Formulas
Cubic Yards = (Length x Width x Depth) / 27
Excavation Cost = Cubic Yards x Cost per CY (varies by soil)
Hauling Cost = Cubic Yards x $15-$50/cy
Total = Excavation Cost + Hauling CostWhere:
- Length, Width, Depth
- = Excavation dimensions in feet
- Cost per CY
- = $40-$250 depending on soil type
- 27
- = Cubic feet per cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3)
- Hauling
- = $15-$50 per cubic yard for off-site disposal
Free to Embed on Your Website
Add this calculator to your blog, resource page, or client portal — just copy one line of code. Your visitors get a useful tool, you get more engagement.
EstimationPro AI For Contractors, By Contractors Get a Detailed Estimate, Not Just a Rough Number
Upload photos or voice notes and get AI-generated line-item estimates with regional pricing, material lists, and project schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does excavation cost per cubic yard?
Excavation costs $40-$250 per cubic yard depending on soil type. Sandy or loose soil runs $40-$80/cy, topsoil $50-$100/cy, clay $75-$150/cy, and rocky soil $100-$250/cy. These rates include machine digging and loading. Hauling and disposal add another $15-$50 per cubic yard if material leaves the site.
How do I calculate cubic yards for excavation?
Multiply Length x Width x Depth (all in feet), then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. For example, a 30 x 20 ft area dug 4 ft deep: 30 x 20 x 4 = 2,400 cu ft / 27 = 88.9 cubic yards. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and add the volumes together.
How deep do you dig for a house foundation?
Foundation depth depends on your region and frost line. Footings typically sit 3-5 ft deep in northern climates (below the frost line) and 12-24 inches in warmer regions. A full basement requires digging 8-10 ft deep. Always check local building codes and get a soil report before excavation. The excavation should extend 2-3 ft beyond the foundation walls on all sides for working room and formwork.
Should I call 811 before digging?
Yes, always. Federal law requires calling 811 at least 48-72 hours before any excavation. Utility companies will mark the location of underground gas, electric, water, sewer, and telecom lines at no charge. Hitting an unmarked line is the utility company's liability, but hitting a marked line is yours. Fines for skipping the call can run $1,000-$50,000 depending on your state.
What equipment is used for residential excavation?
Most residential excavation uses a mini excavator (3-6 ton) for trenches and tight spaces, or a standard excavator (10-20 ton) for foundation and pool digs. A backhoe works well for mid-size jobs. Dump trucks haul material off-site. Equipment costs are typically bundled into the contractor's per-cubic-yard rate, so you do not need to rent separately unless you are doing the work yourself.
Why Contractors Choose EstimationPro AI
Estimates in 60 Seconds
AI generates detailed, line-item estimates from basic project details. No more hours on spreadsheets.
Accurate Pricing Data
Built on real contractor pricing and industry cost databases, updated for 2026 market conditions.
Professional Proposals
Send polished PDF estimates with your branding. Clients see a professional contractor they can trust.
Get Paid Faster
Built-in invoicing and Stripe payments. Collect deposits and progress payments directly from estimates.
Related Free Tools
Drywall Install Cost
Estimate drywall installation costs including materials and labor. Choose drywall type, finish level, and room size for an accurate installed cost.
Deck Cost
Estimate the total cost to build a deck. Enter dimensions, material type, and features to get a detailed cost breakdown with materials and labor.
Kitchen Remodel
Estimate kitchen remodel costs by scope. Select cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, and finishes to get a detailed cost breakdown.
Bathroom Remodel
Estimate bathroom renovation costs. Select fixtures, tile, vanity, and finishes to get a detailed cost breakdown for your bathroom project.
Cost Estimator
Estimate total construction costs for any project type. Enter square footage, project type, and quality level to get a comprehensive cost breakdown.
Renovation Cost
Estimate home renovation costs by room and scope. Get cost ranges for kitchen, bathroom, basement, and whole-home renovation projects.
Basement Remodel
Estimate basement finishing and remodeling costs. Enter square footage and select finishes to get a detailed cost breakdown.
Basement Finishing
Estimate the cost to finish an unfinished basement. Get a trade-by-trade breakdown for framing, drywall, ceiling, flooring, electrical, and HVAC.