What is the Average Cost of an Excavation Project?
Excavation projects come in different shapes and sizes, and there are many factors that go into the average excavation cost of a project.
The average excavation cost for a commercial excavation will depend on the type of project, the extent of the project, and if it is a residential or commercial property. Whether your company is going through a major development or expansion or if an environmental cleanup is necessary, there are various factors that go into determining cost.
Certain projects are similar for commercial and residential projects, like pipe repair or drainage issues.
If the water line to your building or home stopped working, it could require excavation services to repair it. This ensures that workers can access the affected line without causing further damage.
Perhaps the water line burst and has caused excess water. This can damage your foundation and create health and safety issues.
With so many plumbing, electrical, and septic systems located underground, excavation services are usually necessary to fix problems in these areas.
You may also need excavation services like:
- trench shoring
- underground utility installation
- oil tank removal
The average excavation cost for residential projects is typically less than a commercial project. However, the cost breakdown is similar.
The Average Cost of an Excavation Project
As mentioned above, there are several factors that can affect excavation costs. With that, it is hard to determine the exact cost without getting a quote directly from an experienced residential and commercial excavation company. However, typically, the average cost ranges from $50 to $200 per cubic yard. However, again, the average cost can vary depending on other factors.
Breakdown of Costs
The type of excavation is going to determine the cost factors, but some costs are a given no matter the type of project.
Permits are a standard cost. Permits are generally required before undertaking an excavation project that could disturb the surrounding environment. Most excavation projects require permits from the city or county to ensure the project is being completed safely and up to standard. Part of the permit cost may also include a site survey to ensure there are not any electrical or plumbing lines that will be impacted by the project.
The excavation of the soil is a standard cost usually per cubic foot or cubic yard. If the project is removing topsoil, the cost may be calculated in square feet or square yards instead of cubic.
Depending on your project, you may have the same company doing grading and other prep work that may add money to the cost of the project, but save money by having the same company do the work. Additionally, the work might get done faster by not having multiple companies doing different parts of the project.
Soil remediation may be a cost or it may be the basis of your project. Soil remediation is the process of removing or replacing the soil to get rid of contamination. Soil contamination occurs when toxins get mixed with the natural compounds of the soil.
If you have had a spill or discovered improper waste flow on your property, you may need soil remediation to restore the safety of your land.
Some common soil remediation strategies include bioremediation, soil washing, and thermal desorption. Some of these soil remediation technologies are used to separate out the chemicals.
Sometimes it may be necessary to remove the contaminated soil and replace it with clean fill, especially if you do not have the time to deal with bioremediation.
Another standard cost for excavation is dirt removal. Both commercial and residential excavations have the option of reusing the dirt on-site. However, if there is not enough space for the amount of dirt being removed, or you cannot use all of it on your property, there is a cost for hauling and disposal.
There are a number of factors that can drive up costs that may be unexpected. Besides soil remediation for unexpected contamination, you may end up finding unexpected challenges during excavation.
Having to move large boulders, rocky soil, or running into potentially long-buried things can complicate your excavation project and increase the cost.
Prices Depending on Size of Project
Regardless of whether your project is commercial or residential, it is the size of the project that is going to determine the price. Clearing a large piece of land or digging deep into the ground is much more expensive than topsoil clearing and leveling for the installation of a pool.
Pool removal is a prime example of variables based on the size of the project.
- Before the removal of any inground pool, whether residential or commercial, it must be drained.
- The bottom of the pool, as well as the sides, will be broken up into small pieces and transported off your property. Properly disposing of the waste from the pool involves recycling concrete, treating the water for reuse or disposal, and disposing of or recycling other equipment connected to the pool.
- Of course, a commercial pool is going to have more water, more chemicals, and more waste than a residential pool. Either way, junk removal is a lengthy process and should be included in the cost of your pool removal.
- After that element is completed, you will have a hole in your property. A variable cost factor is how much backfill material is required to fill the hole. Compacting and leveling is a standard service that should not fluctuate too much based on size.
One cost factor that may be impacted by the size of the project is labor. Larger projects take longer and require more manpower on-site. This is another increase in the cost of the project.
Equipment is a variable factor. The larger the project, the more heavy equipment is needed. However, larger equipment is needed to complete the project quickly and safely. Larger equipment can also increase costs due to additional safety measures and the need to have specially trained operators.
When considering an excavation project, you may want to consider a company that has a wide range of expertise in different types of excavation and offers a variety of services so that you do not have to outsource multiple parts of your project.
Get multiple estimates from different companies. Ask for recommendations from local hardware and home improvement stores. Talk to your neighbors, check your local social media pages or groups, and access websites that provide ratings for companies.
Once you’ve selected a company, ask detailed questions about their experience and equipment. Verify their certifications, insurance, and licensure. Request a contract or agreement that specifies the work to be done and the rates to be charged. Make sure you have agreed upon estimates for unexpected hiccups in the project.
Get a Quote From an Experienced Excavation Company
At Mikula, we specialize in providing exceptional professional and residential excavation services. Call us today to get a quote for your project today.
