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Excavation contractors in New York

2064 excavation contractors in New York hold an active USDOT registration. The 53 counties listed below have at least 15 each and account for 2017 of them.

New York requires excavators to notify the one-call center at least two working days, and no more than ten, before digging begins.1 New York 811 takes calls for the Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties, and UDig NY covers the rest of the state.2 Home improvement contractors must be licensed in New York City and in Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties.3 Construction that disturbs one acre or more of soil needs coverage under the DEC's stormwater permit for construction activity, and smaller thresholds apply in New York City and the city's watershed east of the Hudson.4

Counties

Other counties in New York

47 contractors in 7 counties with fewer than 15 listings.

What excavation costs in New York

These are published national ranges, not quotes. Local quotes vary.

Residential excavation and site prep
$1,500–$5,000 for a typical job; $2,500–$15,000 for a full home sitePrice driver: Soil: clay and rock cost more than loam
Land clearing, small lot
$1,400–$5,800Price driver: Tree density
Grading a yard
$1,000–$5,000 for an average backyardPrice driver: Slope
Driveway excavation, before gravel or paving
$1,000–$5,000Price driver: Access: tight sites need smaller machines and more hours
Dirt haul-off
$500–$6,000 per jobPrice driver: Haul distance and disposal

Published labor data has no separate figure for the Northeast, so expect prices near the national range.

Ranges compiled from HomeGuide, Angi, HomeAdvisor and contractor-published guides, checked September 2026.

Sources

  1. 1.16 NYCRR Part 753
  2. 2.NYS Department of Public Service
  3. 3.New York State Attorney General
  4. 4.NYS Department of Environmental Conservation