Excavation Cost: Basement Dig Out Cost Guide

Excavation cost ranges from $150 to $450 per hour (including machine and operator) for a residential project. Basement dig out cost (for a new home) ranges from $3,100 to $9,000 for a job that takes about 2.5 days. To get a more accurate cost for your excavation project, request a quote.

By HomeBlue Team

April 03, 2022 11:19 AM

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How Much Does Excavation Cost?

This guide is intended to provide you an approximate excavation cost in your area. To get a quote for your specific project, Click Here for a Free Estimate. Our research, which includes feedback provided by excavation contractors, resulted in the following basement dig out cost.

Excavation cost (per hour, including machine and operator):

Excavation cost ranges from $150 to $450 per hour (including machine and operator) for a residential project. The larger the equipment, the higher the price. These prices are for excavation only and presumes that all the dirt remains on site. Hauling dirt off site will cost at least $400 to $600 a truckload. Also, land clearing (removing trees) is not included. If you need a price for land clearing, check out our Land Clearing Cost Guide.

Cost to excavate land based on the number of hours required (including machine and operator):

Excavation cost (4 hours, 1/2 day): $600 to $1,800.
Excavation cost (8 hours, 1 day): $1,200 to $3,600.
Excavation cost (12 hours, 1.5 days): $1,800 to $5,400.
Excavation cost (16 hours, 2 days) $2,400 to $7,200.
Excavation cost (20 hours, 2.5 days): $3,100 to $9,000.
Excavation cost (24 hours, 3 days): $3,700 to $10,800.

Basement dig out cost:

Basement dig out cost (for a new home) ranges from $3,100 to $9,000 for a job that takes about 2.5 days. Excavation cost (for a new home with no basement) ranges from $1,800 to $5,400 for a job that takes about 1.5 days. These prices presume normal soil conditions. When boulders, rocks, and hardpan present, basement digging cost can increase significantly.

Cost of excavation for foundation:

Cost of excavation for foundation (new home with no basement) ranges from $1,800 to $5,400 for a job that takes about 1.5 days. This assumes soft soil conditions. Sites with rocks, bolders and hardpan will cost more.

Pool excavation cost

Pool excavation cost ranges from $3,100 to $9,000 for a job that takes about 2.5 days. Again, these prices presume normal soil conditions. The price will increase if boulders, rocks, or hardpan are encountered.

Excavator rental cost

Excavator rental cost (19,000-59,000 lb excavator): $700 to $1,300 per day.
Excavator rental cost (60,000-80,000 lb excavator): $1,400 to $1,800 per day.
To find excavator costs in your area, visit United Rentals.

Cost to trench

If you are looking for the cost to dig a trench, check out our Trenching Cost Guide to find cost relating both hand and machine trenching.

Excavate land cost (per cubic yard):

Excavate land cost ranges from $100 to $800 per cubic yard in average soil conditions. Feedback we have received suggests that many contractors prefer to bid projects on a per hour basis rather than a cubic yard basis. There are so many factors that go into determining the cost of an excavation project that per cubic yard approaches may not be as reliable.

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Factors that Influence the Cost to Excavate Land

When excavation services come to provide you an estimate, they will consider a number of factors that can increase or decrease the cost of your project. Pricing for your excavation project will vary based on the amount of dirt moved, topography, and soil conditions. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you get quotes from site work contractors:

Your prices may be higher when:

The site is difficult to access (heavy equipment is expensive to transport).
Large excavators are required.
Boulders or deadpan are present on the site.
Soil remediation is required (removing soil contaminants).
Soil or dirt needs to be removed/hauled from the site.
Silt fences need to be installed.
There are buildings or property features that equipment needs to work around.
Underground obstructions are discovered.

Your prices may be lower when:

The site is easily accessible.
Small excavators are required.
The soil is soft.
There are no soil contaminants (remediation not required).
There are not structures that require demolition.
Soil that is excavated remains on site.
The site is open, has no buildings, and is easy to maneuver.
No silt fences are required.

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Find excavation contractors in just 3-5 minutes. Tell us what you are looking for and receive free cost estimates without any obligation.
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How Much Does Excavation Cost Near Me?

Basement dig out cost varies from area to area. We have developed a number of excavation cost guides to help you identify excavation cost near you.