Excavation Cost Guide
Plan excavation volume and separate digging, handling, hauling and disposal allowances.
Start with a defined scope
Measure the project and separate major work categories. A planning estimate is more useful when materials, labor, site work, delivery and other allowances are tracked separately.
Local conditions matter
Prices vary by location, access, material selection, project size, site conditions and contractor scope. Replace sample assumptions with current local information as the project becomes defined.
Separate site work from the finished work
Excavation, drainage, demolition, hauling, preparation and access can be significant portions of a project and should not be hidden inside a single material number.
Use a phase budget
Track allowances in the Project Planner, then replace them with calculator results and contractor or supplier quotes as you get better information.
What should an excavation allowance include?
Define the material being excavated, average depth, equipment access, over-excavation, loading/handling and disposal or on-site placement. Rock, ledge and groundwater can require a different scope.
Turn this guide into a project budget
Use the related ProjectCost tool to test quantities and assumptions before requesting detailed quotes.
Open related ProjectCost toolSee methodology & sources