Worked example: a 150 yd³ foundation dig with haul-away
At $75/yd³ with decent access (×1.16), the dig runs $13,050; hauling 150 yards of spoil adds $2,700; mobilization $350 — total near $16,100, or $107/yd³ all-in. Keep the spoil on-site and it drops to ~$13,400. The same dig in open farmland with on-site fill placement could price under $10,000.
- • Wet ground stops everything: a week of rain can add standby charges or remobilization fees.
- • Call 811 for utility locates before any dig — it's free, and hitting a line is neither.
- • Unsuitable soil (organics, high water table) discovered at dig depth triggers over-excavation and engineered fill — the classic budget surprise.
Machine time vs truck time
On jobs with haul-away, trucks are often the bottleneck, not the excavator — a 12-yard dump truck round-trip to the dump site gates the whole operation. Local dump sites and on-site fill placement are why two identical digs can price 30% apart. Ask bidders where the spoil goes; the answer tells you how tight their logistics are.
FAQ
How much does excavation cost per cubic yard?
$40–$150 per cubic yard depending on job type: grading at the low end, basement and pool digs at the high end. Add $15–$25/yd³ if spoil must be hauled away.
How much does it cost to dig a basement?
A typical full basement dig (300–400 yd³) runs $25,000–$50,000 including haul-away — $80–$130 per cubic yard. Shoring, dewatering, and rock push it higher.
What does land grading cost?
$30–$55 per cubic yard, or $0.50–$2.00 per sq ft for surface grading. A typical yard drainage regrade runs $1,500–$5,000.
Do I need a soils report before excavating?
For anything structural (foundations, basements, pools) in most jurisdictions, yes — a geotechnical report runs $1,000–$3,000 and prevents the far more expensive surprise of unsuitable bearing soil.
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