How Much Does Boulder Removal Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $650 - $1,200
The average cost to remove a boulder is $900, with most homeowners spending between $650 and $1,200. Size, location, disposal method, and equipment needed can all affect boulder removal cost.
A boulder in your yard can be an attractive landscaping feature—or a frustrating nuisance. Removing a boulder from your yard can make it easier to mow or give you more usable space. Boulder removal costs an average of $900, but the price can range between $650 and $1,200.
- Average
- $900
- Low end
- $250
- high end
- $2,400
Average Boulder Removal Cost
On average, you're looking at around $900 to remove a boulder, but the bill can swing between $650 and $1,200. The size of the boulder is the primary factor influencing costs ranging from $50 to $200 per cubic yard for removal. Additionally, there's the added expense of about $250 to have a pro dispose of your boulder.
Boulder Removal Cost Factors
A few variables come into play when calculating the cost of your boulder removal project. Here’s a quick breakdown of where the money goes in your project:
Materials
You will need a handful of supplies to remove a boulder. If you hire a pro to do the job, they’ll factor these expenses into the total quote, but if you’re removing the boulder on your own, here’s a breakdown of the different tools you may need.
| Tools and Supplies Needed for Removal | Cost for Those Tools and Supplies |
|---|---|
| Rototiller Rental | $25–$50 per day |
| Garden Gloves | $5 |
| Pointed Shovel | $30 |
| Garden Rake | $10 |
| Wheelbarrow | $150 |
| Dumpster Rental | $300–$500 per week |
| Excavator | $300 per day |
Boulder Size
The larger the boulder, the higher the cost to remove it. Since boulders cost around $50 to $200 per cubic yard to remove, factor in the size of your boulder to determine the cost to remove it.
| Boulder Size | Typical Removal |
|---|---|
| Small Boulders | $250 |
| Small to Medium Boulders | $650 |
| Medium Boulders | $950 |
| Large Boulders | $1,200 |
| Very Large Boulders | $2,400 |
Location
Where the boulder is located on your property and how accessible it is can affect your price. If it’s in a hard-to-access area, on a hill, or in soil that’s very rocky or has a high clay content, you may see your bill increase since removal will be more difficult.
Likewise, the area you live in can also dictate what you’ll pay. It can cost more to remove boulders in a rural area since the removal company will use more gas and have more wear and tear on their trucks getting into and out of remote places.
Labor
Most removal companies charge anywhere from $120 to $150 per hour depending on location, distance for transporting a removed boulder, and the extent of work required to remove the boulder.
Keep in mind that when you sign a contract with an excavator company, you’ll likely be billed a minimum amount of guaranteed service hours (usually eight hours a day). For this reason, you’ll probably spend between $950 and $1,200 to hire an excavation company near you to do the job.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Remove a Boulder
Not all boulders are giant monoliths. For smaller rocks, consider the cost of materials and time needed to determine if DIY removal is possible. If you can remove the boulder yourself, it costs around $250 to DIY remove a boulder, but if your project is large enough for you to need an excavator and a dumpster, tack on another $700 for a total of $950.
DIYing a boulder removal means you’ll save that $120 to $150 per hour rate that would go to labor. For an eight-hour contract, expect to save roughly $300 to $550; however, these potential savings can dwindle to nothing if you need to rent an excavator and dumpster to complete the job.
Likewise, for larger projects you can’t do alone, it might not be feasible or safe to remove the boulder without a local grading and hauling company or local demolition contractor to help. Always factor in the job's complexity and determine if you can realistically remove the boulder before investing in costly rental equipment.
Cost of Common Boulder Removal Add-Ons
Once your boulder has been removed, you’ll be left with a hole in your yard. With smaller boulders, you can fill the space with topsoil and grass seed. Removing a larger boulder may require regrading your yard to ensure the proper slope for drainage.
If you’re removing a boulder to make room for outdoor features like a patio, walkway, or outdoor kitchen, you’ll need to hire a hardscaping contractor and add the cost of hardscaping to your budget.
| Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Topsoil | $10–$50/cu. yd. |
| Grass seed | $0.10–$0.20/sq. ft. |
| Yard regrading | $1,000–$3,300 |
| Hardscaping | $5–$25/sq. ft. |
How to Save Money on Boulder Removal Costs
To save on the cost of removing a boulder, consider DIYing the job with a few friends. Once you’ve removed the boulder from the ground, consider keeping it and skipping the dumpster rental to save you hundreds of dollars. Another tip for saving money is to use a sledgehammer or rotary rock hammer that can break the boulder into smaller pieces, making it easy to transport without using a dumpster.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you decide to DIY the boulder removal, you’ll want to wear work gloves and protect your eyes when you break the boulder into smaller pieces. Also, make sure the site where you’re digging won’t hit a pipeline, causing you a whole new problem.
After your boulder is successfully removed, you have a few options for what to do with the yard waste. You can rent a dumpster if your yard has many boulders or you’re planning a larger project, or you can even save the boulder and reuse it as part of your landscaping to save on landscaping costs. A few ideas include using the boulder as a natural, abstract statue, breaking it into smaller pieces to line your garden bed, or building a wall if your yard is overrun with rocks.
The best equipment for moving large rocks from your yard depends on their size and weight. A heavy-duty wheelbarrow or a rock dolly can be effective for moderately-sized rocks. A skid-steer loader or a mini-excavator with a grapple attachment provides the necessary power and control for larger, heavier rocks that are impossible to lift manually, even with a few helping hands. A pry bar, shovel, and safety gear like gloves and goggles are essential for maneuvering rocks safely. Always prioritize safety and consider enlisting professional help for large or challenging rock removal tasks to avoid injury.