Excavation Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of an excavation based on its dimensions (Length, Width, Depth) and the cost per unit of excavated volume. This tool assumes a simple rectangular excavation shape (a cuboid or rectangular prism).
Enter Excavation Dimensions and Cost
Understanding Excavation Volume & Cost
How Excavation Volume is Calculated
For a simple rectangular excavation (like a trench or a foundation hole), the volume of material to be removed is calculated using the basic geometric formula for a rectangular prism (or cuboid):
Volume = Length × Width × Depth
Ensure all dimensions are measured in the same unit (e.g., all in feet, all in meters). The resulting volume will be in cubic units (e.g., cubic feet, cubic meters).
How Excavation Cost is Estimated
Once the volume is known, the estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the volume by the 'Cost Per Cubic Unit' you provide:
Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Unit
The 'Cost Per Cubic Unit' typically includes factors like labor, equipment, fuel, disposal fees, and permits, bundled into a single rate per cubic yard, cubic meter, or other relevant volume unit specific to your location and project type.
Excavation Cost Examples
Click on an example to see the step-by-step calculation.
Example 1: Simple Trench (Feet)
Scenario: Excavate a trench for a pipe.
1. Known Values: Length = 50 feet, Width = 2 feet, Depth = 3 feet. Cost per cubic foot = $15.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 50 ft × 2 ft × 3 ft = 300 cubic feet.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Foot = 300 cubic feet × $15/cubic foot = $4500.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for this trench excavation is $4500.
Example 2: Small Foundation (Meters)
Scenario: Excavate a rectangular area for a small building foundation.
1. Known Values: Length = 12 meters, Width = 8 meters, Depth = 1.5 meters. Cost per cubic meter = €40.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 12 m × 8 m × 1.5 m = 144 cubic meters.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Meter = 144 cubic meters × €40/cubic meter = €5760.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the foundation excavation is €5760.
Example 3: Pool Excavation (Yards)
Scenario: Excavate a rectangular hole for a swimming pool.
1. Known Values: Length = 20 yards, Width = 10 yards, Depth = 2.5 yards. Cost per cubic yard = $50.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 20 yd × 10 yd × 2.5 yd = 500 cubic yards.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Yard = 500 cubic yards × $50/cubic yard = $25000.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the pool excavation is $25000.
Example 4: Landscaping Bed (Feet)
Scenario: Remove soil for a rectangular raised landscaping bed.
1. Known Values: Length = 15 feet, Width = 4 feet, Depth = 0.5 feet. Cost per cubic foot = $10 (cheaper rate for smaller job).
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 15 ft × 4 ft × 0.5 ft = 30 cubic feet.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Foot = 30 cubic feet × $10/cubic foot = $300.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the landscaping bed excavation is $300.
Example 5: Utility Trench (Meters)
Scenario: Dig a narrow trench for utility lines.
1. Known Values: Length = 100 meters, Width = 0.6 meters, Depth = 1.2 meters. Cost per cubic meter = €55.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 100 m × 0.6 m × 1.2 m = 72 cubic meters.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Meter = 72 cubic meters × €55/cubic meter = €3960.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the utility trench excavation is €3960.
Example 6: Footing Excavation (Feet)
Scenario: Excavate a continuous rectangular footing area.
1. Known Values: Length = 80 feet, Width = 3 feet, Depth = 4 feet. Cost per cubic foot = $20.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 80 ft × 3 ft × 4 ft = 960 cubic feet.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Foot = 960 cubic feet × $20/cubic foot = $19200.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the footing excavation is $19200.
Example 7: Small Pond (Yards)
Scenario: Excavate a small rectangular pond area.
1. Known Values: Length = 5 yards, Width = 4 yards, Depth = 1.5 yards. Cost per cubic yard = $45.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 5 yd × 4 yd × 1.5 yd = 30 cubic yards.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Yard = 30 cubic yards × $45/cubic yard = $1350.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the pond excavation is $1350.
Example 8: Basement Excavation (Meters)
Scenario: Excavate a large rectangular area for a basement.
1. Known Values: Length = 15 meters, Width = 10 meters, Depth = 3.5 meters. Cost per cubic meter = €35.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 15 m × 10 m × 3.5 m = 525 cubic meters.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Meter = 525 cubic meters × €35/cubic meter = €18375.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the basement excavation is €18375.
Example 9: Bulk Earth Removal (Feet)
Scenario: Remove a large rectangular section of earth from a site.
1. Known Values: Length = 200 feet, Width = 100 feet, Depth = 5 feet. Cost per cubic foot = $18.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 200 ft × 100 ft × 5 ft = 100,000 cubic feet.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Foot = 100,000 cubic feet × $18/cubic foot = $1,800,000.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for this large earth removal is $1,800,000.
Example 10: Concrete Slab Prep (Meters)
Scenario: Excavate a shallow rectangle for a concrete slab.
1. Known Values: Length = 8 meters, Width = 6 meters, Depth = 0.2 meters. Cost per cubic meter = €30.
2. Volume Calculation: Volume = Length × Width × Depth = 8 m × 6 m × 0.2 m = 9.6 cubic meters.
3. Cost Calculation: Estimated Cost = Volume × Cost Per Cubic Meter = 9.6 cubic meters × €30/cubic meter = €288.
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the slab preparation excavation is €288.
Frequently Asked Questions about Excavation Cost
1. What is this Excavation Cost Calculator used for?
This calculator helps you estimate the volume of material to be excavated from a rectangular area and the approximate cost based on a provided rate per cubic unit.
2. What inputs are required?
You need to input the Length, Width, and Depth of the excavation, the Unit of measurement for these dimensions (e.g., feet, meters, yards), the Cost Per Cubic Unit, and the Currency Symbol.
3. How is the excavation volume calculated?
It uses the standard formula for the volume of a box shape: Volume = Length × Width × Depth.
4. How is the estimated cost determined?
The estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the calculated Volume by the Cost Per Cubic Unit you enter.
5. What does "Cost Per Cubic Unit" mean?
This is the cost you expect to pay for excavating and potentially disposing of one unit of volume (like one cubic yard, one cubic meter, etc.). This rate should be obtained from excavation contractors or cost guides relevant to your area and project type.
6. What units should I use for Length, Width, and Depth?
Ensure you use consistent units for all three dimensions (e.g., all in feet, all in meters). The Unit input field should match the unit you used for dimensions (e.g., enter "feet" if dimensions are in feet).
7. Does this cost include everything (labor, equipment, disposal)?
The estimated cost includes whatever is covered by the "Cost Per Cubic Unit" rate you provide. This rate usually *does* include labor and equipment, but you should confirm with your contractor what their rate includes (e.g., disposal fees, permits might be extra).
8. Can I use this for non-rectangular excavations?
No, this calculator is designed specifically for simple rectangular shapes (like trenches or square/rectangular holes). More complex shapes (circles, irregular areas, sloped sides) require different volume calculation methods.
9. What if I enter zero for a dimension?
If you enter zero for Length, Width, or Depth, the calculated Volume and Estimated Cost will be zero, as there is no excavation volume. The calculator will prompt an error if dimensions are not positive.
10. Why is a Currency Symbol input needed?
The currency symbol is simply used for displaying the Estimated Total Cost result clearly (e.g., "$5000" vs "€5000"), based on the currency corresponding to your "Cost Per Cubic Unit". It does not perform currency conversion.
Common Volume Units Reference
Ensure your input dimensions (Length, Width, Depth) use a consistent unit. The Cost Per Cubic Unit must correspond to the volume unit derived from your dimensions.
| Linear Unit Input | Resulting Volume Unit | Example Cost Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Feet (ft) | Cubic Feet (ft³) | Cost per ft³ |
| Yards (yd) | Cubic Yards (yd³) | Cost per yd³ |
| Meters (m) | Cubic Meters (m³) | Cost per m³ |
| Inches (in) | Cubic Inches (in³) | Cost per in³ |
| Centimeters (cm) | Cubic Centimeters (cm³) | Cost per cm³ |
Note: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. 1 cubic meter ≈ 35.315 cubic feet ≈ 1.308 cubic yards.
