Excavation Cost Calculator
Estimate excavation cost from dimensions, soil swell, excavation rate, truck capacity, haul cost, disposal rate and mobilization.
Default project preview
$5,895.00
Bank volume
80 yd³
Loose volume
100 yd³
Truckloads
9
Excavation work
$1,120.00
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Input and output guide
What each value means
The labels and units below are part of this calculator’s visible methodology. Replace every default with measurements or product data from the actual project.
Excavation length
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 40 ft.
Excavation width
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 18 ft.
Average excavation depth
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 3 ft.
Loose-soil swell
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 25 %. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 80.
Excavation rate
Enter this project assumption in per yd³ bank. The current imperial default is 14 per yd³ bank. Minimum: 0.
Truck capacity
Enter this project assumption in yd³ loose. The current imperial default is 12 yd³ loose.
Haul cost per truckload
Enter this project assumption in per load. The current imperial default is 225 per load. Minimum: 0.
Disposal or import rate
Enter this project assumption in per yd³ loose. The current imperial default is 18 per yd³ loose. Minimum: 0.
Mobilization and equipment allowance
Enter this project assumption in fixed. The current imperial default is 950 fixed. Minimum: 0.
How to read the outputs
Bank volume
in-place excavation. Default preview: 80 yd³.
Loose volume
25% swell. Default preview: 100 yd³.
Truckloads
12 yd³ capacity. Default preview: 9.
Excavation work
bank volume × rate. Default preview: $1,120.00.
Hauling and disposal
loose volume and rounded loads. Default preview: $3,825.00.
Cost per bank volume
per yd³. Default preview: $73.69.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Bank volume = length × width × depth. Loose volume = bank volume × swell factor. Loads are rounded up. Total cost adds excavation, hauling, disposal and mobilization.
Related tools
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FAQ
Excavation Cost Calculator questions
What is soil swell?+
Excavated soil occupies more volume after it is loosened. The percentage varies by material and handling.
Why round truckloads up?+
A partial final load still requires a truck trip and may be billed as a full load.
Does this include backfill?+
No. Imported fill, compaction and final grading should be estimated separately when required.