Excavation Calculator

Q: How much does excavation cost?

Excavation costs $50-$200 per cubic yard on average. Small projects: $100-$300 per hour. Bulk excavation: $3-$10 per cubic yard. Factors include soil type, accessibility, disposal fees, and equipment needed.

Swell Factor: %

Bulk Excavation

Length:

Width:

Average Depth:

Soil Type

Clay (30-40% swell) Loam (20-25% swell) Sand (10-15% swell) Gravel (10-15% swell) Rock (50-60% swell)

Slope Ratio (Horizontal:Vertical):

Trench Excavation

Length:

Bottom Width:

Average Depth:

Slope Ratio:

Working Space (each side):

Footing Excavation

Footing Length:

Footing Width:

Footing Depth:

Extra Width for Formwork:

Slope Ratio:

Number of Footings:

Cut & Fill Calculation

Grid Length:

Grid Width:

Grid Spacing:

Average Cut Depth:

Average Fill Depth:

Balance site (import/export difference)

Cost & Hauling Parameters

Excavation Rate ($/yd³):

Hauling Rate ($/yd³/mile):

Disposal Fee ($/yd³):

Haul Distance (miles):

Excavation Results

Bank Volume

417

yd³

Loose Volume

521

yd³

Compacted Volume

375

yd³

Total Cost

$48,225

excavation + hauling

Excavation Breakdown

Bank Volume (in ground):417 yd³

Loose Volume (after excavation):521 yd³ (+25% swell)

Compacted Volume (if backfilled):375 yd³ (10% shrinkage)

Excavation Cost:$35,445

Hauling Cost:$7,815

Disposal Fees:$4,965

Total Project Cost:$48,225

Hauling Requirements

Truck Size	Loads Required	Trips	Total Haul Cost

Here's a mistake I made early in my career…

I was pricing a basement excavation for a 2,000 sq ft house. On paper, everything looked right. I calculated the volume and felt confident about the numbers.

But I missed one thing — swell factor.

Once the digging started, that 200 yd³ of soil turned into around 260 yd³ when loaded into trucks. More trips, more time, more cost. In the end, I lost about $4,000 on that job.

That's when it really clicked for me — excavation isn't just length × width × depth.

Here's where most estimates go wrong:

Swell factor adds 10–60% to your volume. Clay can swell 30–40%, rock even 50–60%.
Slope increases volume more than expected. A 10-ft deep excavation with a 1:1 slope can add 50–100% more material.
Cut and fill aren't the same. Removing soil costs money, but bringing material in can cost just as much.
Working space matters. You usually need at least 1–2 feet extra on each side for safe work and formwork.

This calculator is built around those real-world factors — not just basic formulas. Enter your dimensions and soil type to get practical estimates you can actually use on site.

How to Use This Excavation Calculator

Select excavation type — Bulk, Trench, Footing, or Cut & Fill
Enter dimensions — Length, width, depth in feet/inches or meters/cm
Choose soil type — Affects swell factor (clay: 35%, sand: 12%, rock: 55%)
Set slope ratio — 1:1 for stable soil, flatter for sand/clay
Add cost parameters — Excavation rate, hauling distance, disposal fees
Click calculate — Get bank volume, loose volume, compacted volume, and total cost

Pro tip: Always add 10-15% to your volume for over-excavation and spoilage. The ground is never perfectly flat.

Excavation Cost Factors Explained

Excavation costs depend on soil type, depth, access, and hauling distance. Clay and rock increase costs due to difficulty and swell factor, while sand is easier to excavate.

Real-World Excavation Examples

Basement (40'×30'×8')

Bank: 356 yd³ → With 35% swell: 480 yd³ loose → 48 truck loads

~$28,000 total cost

Utility Trench (200'×2'×5')

Bank: 74 yd³ → With 25% swell: 93 yd³ loose → 10 truck loads

~$6,500 total cost

My Costly Mistake

Forgot swell factor on 500 yd³ clay excavation → 175 yd³ extra → $8,750 unbilled trucking

5 Excavation Estimating Tips I Wish I Knew

Always add swell factor to your volume. Bank volume × (1 + swell%) = loose volume for trucking.
Slope adds WAY more volume than you think. A 10-foot deep excavation with 1:1 slope doubles the surface area at the top.
Working space isn't optional. Your crew needs 2 feet minimum on each side for formwork and safety.
Get multiple disposal quotes. Disposal fees vary from $20-200/yd³ depending on landfill and material type.
Keep a job log. Track actual swell factors from your local soil. After 5-10 jobs, you'll have accurate numbers.

IMPORTANT WARNING: This calculator provides estimates based on standard soil factors. Actual swell varies by moisture content, compaction, and soil composition. Always add 10-15% contingency and consult a geotechnical engineer for critical projects. OSHA standards require specific sloping for different soil types.

Soil Swell & Shrinkage Factors

Soil Type	Swell Factor	Shrinkage	Angle of Repose
Clay (dry)	30-40%	10-15%	25-35°
Loam	20-25%	10-15%	35-40°
Sand (dry)	10-15%	5-10%	30-35°
Gravel	10-15%	5-10%	35-40°
Rock (blasted)	50-60%	30-40%	40-45°

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate excavation volume?

Excavation volume = Length × Width × Depth. For irregular areas, divide into sections. For slopes, use average depth. Always add 10-15% for swell factor and compaction.

What is the difference between cut and fill?

Cut is when you remove earth (excavation) to lower the ground level. Fill is when you add earth to raise the ground level.

How much does excavation cost?

Excavation costs $50-$200 per cubic yard on average. Bulk excavation: $3-$10 per cubic yard. Factors include soil type, accessibility, and disposal fees.

What is the swell factor for excavated soil?

Swell factor is the increase in volume when soil is excavated. Clay: 30-40%, Sand: 10-15%, Rock: 50-60%.

How do you calculate trench excavation?

Trench volume = Length × Average Width × Average Depth. Include extra width for working space and shoring if needed.

Excavation Calculator – Estimate Earthwork Volume, Cut & Fill, and Hauling Costs