How Much Does Excavation Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,662 - $6,726
The cost to excavate land is $3,990 on average, but it depends heavily on the size and complexity of the job.
Thinking of building a new home, swimming pool, or basement? First, you’ll need to make sure excavation costs—which average $3,990, but can fall between $1,662 and $6,726—fit into your home renovation budget. Many factors go into the price of a residential excavation, including the type of project, where you live, and renovation size.
- Average
- $3,990
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $15,000
Cost to Excavate by Project Type
New construction requires excavation for home foundations. Other projects like pools, driveways, and landscapes all need soil and rock redistributed in some way.
When your home goals involve a new build, don’t let a boulder or stubborn tree stump stand in the way. Hire an excavator to take care of these issues for you. Here’s a look at what your next excavation project might cost.
| Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Basement | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Patio or driveway | $1,000–$2,500 |
| New construction | $1,500–$10,000 |
| In-ground swimming pool | $400–$1,500 |
| Land clearing | $1,400–$5,800 |
| Plumbing | $1,500–$10,000 |
| Landscaping | $500–$6,000 |
| Rock or ledge removal | $1,000–$20,000 |
| Hillside excavation | $1,000–$5,000 |
Basements
The cost to dig around an existing basement is typically between $5,000 and $15,000. You might need this type of excavation to fix foundation issues or to add waterproofing. Costs are similar if you plan to excavate for a crawl space.
Patios and Driveways
Creating a graded space to lay pavers or pour concrete will cost between $1,000 and $2,500. This price changes based on accessibility. If the location is difficult to get to, the price will increase.
New Construction
New construction is one of the most common reasons to excavate. The average cost to excavate a basement for new construction will run from $1,500 to $6,000. You could spend as much as $10,000 for a large basement.
In-Ground Swimming Pool
You’ve got to dig in before you dive in. Excavation for an in-ground pool can run between $400 and $1,500. If your area is rocky and inaccessible, you could pay as much as $20,000. Even for smaller pools, you may end up spending a pretty penny. For example, excavating for a swim spa costs $100 to $300 per hour if you hire a pro.
Land Clearing
Excavation gives you the power to transform land to fit your vision. Generally, land clearing costs between $1,400 and $5,800. Removing large rocks and trees will cost between $40 and $100 a cubic foot. Other examples of clearing jobs include removing shrubs, reducing the risk of wildfires, and sloping improvements to avoid erosion.
Plumbing
Trenching for piping is a part of any home design. A trencher helps create straight paths for plumbers to install pipes. Whether the trench is for your pool or bathroom, trenching costs around $1,500 to $10,000.
Landscaping
Excavation comes in handy when preparing your land for major landscaping. For instance, you will need to cut a trench for a fountain. Dirt removal costs run between $500 and $6,000. Need to dispose of excess soil to level or slope the yard? The further an excavator has to move soil, the more you will pay.
Rock or Ledge Removal
Rock or ledge removal can cost anywhere from $1,000 to more than $20,000. This is because this process includes a wide range of jobs. It can be as simple as removing a couple of small boulders or as difficult as blasting large boulders to create smaller, manageable pieces.
| Rock Removal Methods | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Blasting | $40–$100 per cubic yard |
| Removing large boulders | $50–$250 |
Hillside Excavation
Most homeowners can expect to pay around $1 to $12 per cubic yard to flatten hills or slopes. Costs can rise depending on the distance needed to haul away debris. It also costs more in inaccessible areas. In general, most hillside excavation prices are between $1,000 and $5,000.
Excavation Cost Factors
Excavation costs are dependent on the scale and type of job. From the excavator cost to dig a basement to dirt removal, all of it can add up.
Below is a breakdown of costs to consider for your excavation.
| Excavation Cost Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Size of area and accessibility | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Soil type | $200–$1,200 |
| Leveling needs | $1–$12 per cubic yard |
| Land surveys and permits | $50–$550 |
| Soil testing and cleanup | $700–$2,200 |
| Dirt removal or hauling | $8–$25 per cubic yard |
| Labor | $120–$150 per hour |
| Equipment or tools | $100–$250 per hour for a rental |
| Grading and leveling | $400–$6,500 |
Size of Area and Accessibility
Excavators calculate costs based on the cubic yard of dirt moved or removed. The size of an area affects the cost of excavating. A small excavating job can cost about $100 per hour, but larger jobs can range between $1,500 and $5,000. Additionally, small, difficult-to-reach spaces and challenging terrain can increase the price of excavation.
Soil Type
Ideal excavation soil is loose and free of rocks and plant material. Soil with many rocks or clay deposits can increase the cost of excavating land, adding between $200 and $1,200 to the cost of the job.
Leveling Needs
Grading or leveling land is a standard job for specialized excavators. Creating a suitable surface to build on requires leveling hills and indentations in the ground. Often when grading, excess soil works to fill low spots. If the distance between the high and low areas is substantial, costs can rise from $1 to $12 per cubic yard.
Land Surveys and Permits
In most areas, you’ll need to get a permit before you can excavate. This typically requires a land survey to make sure it’s safe for you to dig. Permits usually cost $50 to $400, and a land survey will run you about $400 to $550.
Soil Testing and Cleanup
For most homeowners, soil testing costs about $700 to $2,200. It’s a good idea to get your soil tested before excavation. This can help identify pollutants and other contaminants that make it unsafe to dig. Tests for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cost around $200 to $500 alone.
Dirt Removal or Hauling
Hauling away dirt from your excavation typically costs $8 to $25 per cubic yard. The price varies based on accessibility. If a dump truck and backhoe have easy access, costs will be on the low end. If only smaller equipment can access the worksite or vehicles need to drive a long way to haul away the dirt, costs will be on the high end.
Labor
Labor makes up a large portion of land excavation costs. Contractors either charge hourly or by the cubic yard. For most residential excavation projects, you can expect to spend around:
$120–$150 per hour
$50–$200 per cubic yard
Equipment or Tools
It generally costs $100 to $250 per hour to rent excavation equipment with an operator (you will need someone to operate this type of specialized equipment). Larger machine rentals are more costly, but they’re also more efficient, which reduces labor costs.
The type of equipment required depends on the accessibility. Areas that are more difficult to access may require smaller dump trucks, which take longer to haul away large amounts of dirt.
Excavation vs. Yard Grading
Grading and leveling generally cost between $400 and $6,500. Excavation is the process of digging the hole, while yard grading removes excess dirt (and other materials) to create an even surface. This is essential for a strong foundation.
Oftentimes, grading comes before excavation. Some contractors treat yard grading as a separate task with a separate charge. They may also grade your yard after they install your foundation to create a slope that aids in runoff. This is essential because it helps prevent flooding around your foundation.
Cost to Excavate Land Yourself
Interested in DIYing your excavation efforts? Excavating land yourself can save money, but you’ll need to rent equipment to get the job done. You’ll also need to take some safety precautions. Here’s a look at what you’ll need to excavate land for your home project.
Equipment Rental Costs
The type of equipment needed for excavation will significantly depend on what you need done and the area size.
You can rent a tracker with a backhoe for $100 per hour or at a weekly rate of $2,200. Larger jobs, like a pool for the kids, will require more extensive equipment. The cost of equipment for larger jobs can increase by as much as 50%.
Security Precautions
Safety is always a concern when doing excavation work. Be sure to call your local utility company ahead of time to have a surveyor identify buried cables to avoid. Use the national call-before-you-dig number (811) to set up a visit. Additionally, you’ll need to take note of overhead wires to steer clear of when digging.
DIY Excavation Cost vs. Hiring a Pro
When it comes to excavation, it’s typically better to hire an excavation company near you. This job is labor-intensive and requires the use of specialized heavy machinery like jackhammers, hydraulic breakers, excavators, and backhoes—the use of which can be hazardous for people without training.
That said, if you only need to excavate a small area and your soil type isn’t particularly difficult to dig through, you can rent a mini excavator for around $200 to $700. You’ll still need to get a land survey and contact your utility company to make sure you don’t accidentally dig into underground utilities.
Tips to Save Money on Excavation Costs
Even if you can’t DIY the entire job, there are still a few ways you can save on excavation costs. The following tips can help:
Work in the off-season: For contractors, some months are busier than others. For example, most people opt to build swimming pools in the fall or winter so they’re ready for the spring season. In general, December, January, and February are slow months—but it depends on the climate. You may not save money if excavators struggle to dig into the frozen ground.
Do some of the work yourself: You may not be able to use heavy machinery without the help of a pro, but you can probably do other aspects of the project. For example, if your contractor excavates for a patio, you have the DIY skills to lay pavers by yourself.
Shop for the best price: Interview at least three different contractors to get a feel for the local market. Remember, if a price is significantly lower than other contractors’ estimates, there’s probably a good reason. You won’t save money unless the job is done right.
Keep things organized: Construction projects can drag on, especially if you’re held up in the permitting process. Stay organized to avoid extra costs, and make sure your contractor is completing work in a reasonable timeframe so you don’t rack up extraneous labor charges. Keep in mind, though, that some hold-ups are unavoidable.
Lump multiple jobs together: You can typically save money if you group together similar projects. This can sometimes cut down on labor costs. Most of the time, you’ll need to excavate as part of larger projects, like a pool installation, but if you need land-grading down the line or land clearing in a separate area not related to the excavation, do it now.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a common belief that excavation is easier or less costly when done in the summer or when the ground is not frozen. Seasons have little effect on when excavation can occur; however, inclement weather can prolong the duration of the job and potentially increase costs. For this reason, those in rainy climates may opt for seasons with milder weather.
Excavators work in tandem with dump trucks to haul away excess dirt and soil. The excavator will dig into the ground and move the excess dirt into a pile. Using a backhoe, the specialist can fill a truck with excavated soil from that pile. They will then drive the truck to a different location where they can dump the material.
If you’re planning to dig on your property, you’ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won’t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues.
Excavation is priced in cubic yards, so you’ll need to find the volume of the area in order to calculate costs. Multiply the length, width, and proposed depth of your excavation site, then convert it into yards to get the volume. Multiply this figure by the price per cubic yard.
Most homeowners can measure by hand to get a rough estimate, even if it’s tedious. You may want to pull out a tape measure or use a string to help mark the area.
There are several different factors that influence how long it takes to excavate. For a foundation, it could take anywhere from three days to three weeks. It can take even longer if you face weather-related delays or an inaccessible site that’s riddled with boulders and rough terrain. It may also take longer if you have clay soil, which is more difficult to dig.