Excavation costs $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard, or $1,100 to $5,600 for a typical project, per HomeGuide.1 HomeAdvisor and Angi project data – sister brands sharing one dataset – puts the average residential excavation at about $3,976, with most paying $1,659 to $6,713.2,3*
$2.50 – $15
per cubic yard, HomeGuide
$1,100 – $5,600
typical project
$3,976
average, HA/Angi
Quick math: a 100-foot utility trench at HomeGuide’s $5 to $12 per linear foot is $500 to $1,200 – our multiplication. Hauling the spoils away costs extra: $8 to $25 per cubic yard.2,3
Published prices at a glance
Three references, all fetched and read October 2026 (HomeAdvisor and Angi share one project dataset):
| Measure | HomeGuide1 | HomeAdvisor2 | Angi3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per cubic yard | $2.50 – $15.00 | – | – |
| Average project | $1,100 – $5,600 | $3,976 ($1,659 – $6,713) | $3,977 (3,439 projects) |
| Cut and fill per yard | – | $1 – $12 | $1 – $12 |
| Hauling dirt per yard | – | $8 – $25 | $8 – $25 |
| Hourly (machine + operator) | $100 – $300 | $100 – $250 | $120 – $150 |
| Trenching per linear foot | $5 – $12 | – | – |
| Rock blasting per yard | – | $40 – $100 | – |
| Surveys, permits, soil tests | – | – | $750 – $2,750 |
By project type
| Project | HomeGuide1 | HomeAdvisor/Angi2,3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway or patio excavation | $1,000 – $2,500 | $1,000 – $2,500 (grading for pavers/concrete) |
| Basement, new construction | $10,000 – $30,000 | $1,500 – $6,000 (Angi) |
| Digging around existing foundation | $5,000 – $15,000 ($100 – $250/LF) | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| In-ground pool | – | $400 – $1,500 (up to $20,000 on rocky sites) |
| Plumbing trenching | – | $1,500 – $10,000 |
| Hillside cut | – | $1,000 – $5,000 most projects |
The basement rows disagree by 4-5x, and that is real: HomeGuide’s $10,000 to $30,000 describes full-depth new-construction basement digs, while Angi’s $1,500 to $6,000 reads like shallower or smaller basement work. Confirm which scope your project matches before using either number.
Three worked examples (we did the math)
| Project | Rate | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Utility trench 100 linear ft | $5 – $12/LF | $500 – $1,200 |
| Cut and fill 50 cubic yards | $1 – $12/yard | $50 – $600 |
| Haul away those 50 yards | $8 – $25/yard | $400 – $1,250 |
Note how hauling can cost more than the digging itself on small jobs – keep dirt on-site when the grade plan allows it.
What else to budget for
Land survey: $200 to $1,200 per HomeGuide – required on some projects before digging.1
Minimum fees: HomeAdvisor warns most residential excavators charge a base fee, so a tiny trench can cost more than the per-foot math.2
Rock: blasting runs $40 to $100 per cubic yard if you hit ledge.2
After the dig: see our yard leveling cost and land clearing cost guides for the work that usually comes before and after.
Related guides and tools
Land clearing cost | Tree removal cost | Yard leveling cost | French drain cost | Retaining wall cost | Topsoil cost
FAQ
How much does excavation cost per cubic yard? $2.50 to $15.00 per HomeGuide; cut-and-fill work alone runs $1 to $12 per yard, and hauling adds $8 to $25 per yard.1,2
What does an excavator cost per hour? $100 to $300 per hour with operator per HomeGuide; Angi’s figure is $120 to $150.1,3
Why do excavation quotes vary so much? Access. Every guide names it: which machine fits through your gate, how far the dump truck has to haul, and whether you hit rock move the price more than the volume does.
Is excavation the same as grading? No – excavation moves soil out or around; grading shapes what stays. See our yard leveling cost guide for the grading side.
Sources
*Prices are 2025-2026 national averages from the cited sources and vary by access, soil, rock and haul distance. Get local quotes before budgeting.