Earthwork Cut & Fill Calculator

Why doesn't cut volume equal usable fill volume?

Soil in its natural, undisturbed state (bank measure) has void space between particles. Once excavated, loosened, hauled, and re-compacted as fill, that void space changes — most soils shrink 10-20% when compacted because compaction squeezes out air voids more than the loose state had. Clay can shrink even more; rock and gravel shrink less and can even swell when loosened before compaction.

What's a typical shrinkage factor by soil type?

Sandy loam typically runs 10-15% shrinkage, clay 15-25%, and rock or well-graded gravel can run under 10% or even show slight swell when measured loose versus compacted. Always confirm with a geotech report or local DOT earthwork tables rather than guessing — a 5-point error on a large cut job translates into thousands of yards of unplanned import or haul-off.

How much does trucking add per cubic yard beyond the excavation cost?

Haul rates depend heavily on distance to the disposal or borrow site: local hauls under 5 miles often run $8-15/yd³, while hauling 20+ miles or to a licensed disposal facility with tipping fees can push $20-35/yd³. Always separate excavation/loading cost from trucking cost in your estimate since they scale independently — more distance doesn't change dig time.

What happens if I get the cut/fill balance wrong in a lump-sum bid?

A deficit you didn't plan for means unbudgeted import fill and trucking, which comes straight out of margin on a lump-sum contract with no earthwork balancing clause. This is why experienced estimators build in a contingency percentage (commonly 10-15%) on earthwork quantities specifically, separate from general project contingency, given how often preliminary surveys undercount actual cut/fill needs.