How much does excavation cost?
Published national ranges for residential excavation, hourly rates and add-ons, and what pushes a price up.
Updated September 13, 2026
The figures here are published national ranges from cost guides and contractors. They aren't quotes, we didn't measure them, and local prices vary. Use them to plan a budget, then get quotes from contractors near you.
What a typical job costs
Most residential excavation jobs total between $1,100 and $5,600.1 Angi puts the typical range a little higher, at $1,658 to $6,707.2
| Job | Published range |
|---|---|
| Standard residential site work | $1,500–$5,000, and larger or more complex jobs can exceed $10,0003 |
| Excavation for a standard home site | $2,500–$15,0004 |
| Foundation excavation | $2,500–$15,0003 |
| Hillside or slope excavation | $1,000–$5,000 for most jobs2 |
| Driveway excavation | $1,000–$5,0003 |
| Rock or ledge removal | $1,000 to more than $20,0002 |
Hourly rates
Published hourly rates vary widely. HomeGuide puts an operator with their own mini excavator, backhoe or skid steer at $100 to $300 an hour, and an operator without equipment at $50 to $150.1 Angi's range for equipment with an operator is $100 to $250 an hour.2 Contractor guides range from $50 to $200 an hour3 up to $110 to $325 with equipment and operator.5
When a quote is hourly, ask which machine it assumes and how many hours the contractor expects.
Costs that get added on
| Item | Published range |
|---|---|
| Hauling dirt away | $8–$25 per cubic yard2 |
| Dirt removal as a whole job | $500–$6,0002 |
| Fill dirt | $5–$25 per cubic yard1 |
| Excavation permit | $50–$4001 |
| Land survey | $200–$1,200;1 Angi says about $400–$5502 |
| Soil testing | $700–$2,200 for most homeowners2 |
| Mobilization on a rural job | $500–$2,000 or more4 |
What moves the price
- Soil. Clay and rock cost more to dig than loam.
- Access. Restricted access that needs smaller equipment or hand digging increases costs by 30% to 100%.6
- Location. Urban projects run 20% to 40% higher than rural ones, because of traffic control, limited work hours and disposal.6 Rural jobs can carry a mobilization fee instead.
- Slope, haul distance and disposal, the water table and the season all move the price too.
- Permits and surveys. These vary by county, so ask your building department what your job needs.
Why per-yard prices disagree
Prices per cubic yard differ by a factor of ten or more between sources. Angi puts leveling at $1 to $12 per cubic yard.2 SiteX puts cut work in workable soil at $11 to $21 per cubic yard, from 2026 prevailing wage data across 421 counties.4 Homewyse's estimate to excavate land starts at $108 to $247 per cubic yard.7
They don't measure the same thing, so this guide sticks to job totals. Compare quotes the same way.
Regional differences
Published labor data puts the Southeast's average cut rates lowest in the country, with the Midwest and West roughly 20% higher.4 To find contractors, start from a state page such as Georgia in the Southeast, Ohio in the Midwest or California in the West, or pick your county below.
Ranges compiled from HomeGuide, Angi, SiteX, Homewyse, CostFlowAI and contractor-published guides, checked September 2026.