Excavation Cost: Factors and Estimates

Owners of private houses often need excavation services. Such services may be required during the initial construction of a house, for laying the foundation, and when the construction is ready, for building a basement or pool, laying water pipes, etc.

Excavation work requires significant effort, professionalism of workers, and specialized equipment. Therefore, it always entails significant costs.

In this material, Quality Age Build experts will talk about the cost of excavation, and what determines the total operating expenses of the property owner.

It is impossible to accurately calculate the cost of excavation in Toronto without first identifying the features of the project to be worked on. The costs will depend on many factors.

Area Size

The area of the site where excavation work is planned is important for two reasons. Firstly, the smaller the size of the future recess, the less work must be done. Accordingly, you will pay less because the excavation cost per m³ is usually calculated. As a rule, it ranges from $30 to $50.

Secondly, in small areas, you can use less expensive small-sized equipment, such as mini-excavators and other compact equipment. In this case, you can significantly save on its rental. If you need to pay $100 per hour for a small excavator, then a full-size machine will cost half as much.

Accessibility

The accessibility of the object also has a significant impact on excavation costs. It will be cheaper to dig a foundation pit on an open plot of land. The presence of any obstacles nearby will increase the price of services, because in this situation it may be difficult to use construction machinery, and sometimes you may even need additional equipment.

The pricing also depends on underground utilities on the site, which will also hinder ground removal.

Soil Composition

The type of soil is another factor you should consider when calculating the price of labor workers. It is easier to excavate loose and soft soil than hard, rocky, or, containing additional impurities.

Leveling Requirements

Compliance with leveling requirements will help you build a stable and reliable construction that meets regulatory standards. The complexity of these requirements also influences excavation costs in Ontario.

The surface leveling process may include various tasks like clearing and marking the area, ground removal, as well as backfilling and soil compaction. The larger the expected scope of work, the higher the costs.

As a preliminary estimate of costs, it is worth pointing out that site clearing fees can range from $200 to $6,000 depending on the amount of vegetation. Planning and marking the site will cost $500 – $7,000, depending on the complexity and duration of the work.

Land Surveys and Permits

In most jurisdictions, excavation work requires a permit. This is a significant expense item, because such a permit can cost from $50 to $400, depending on the size and location of your yard.

Also, expect to pay an additional $400 – $500 if you need to determine the boundaries of the site before starting work.

Soil Testing and Remediation

When it comes to the construction of residential structures like private houses, swimming pools, or walkways, it is essential to check the soil for contaminants.

The cost of such work depends on what substances in the soil must be tested. You can buy a self-test kit for express testing. It will cost $10-$15. You can also take advantage of a laboratory services, they cost more, from $20 to $300. The most expensive tests for volatile organic compounds cost up to $500.

Dirt Removal and Hauling

Clearing the site of debris is a required preparatory stage before land work. If the volume of work is large enough, and you cannot remove and clean up the dirt, hired workers can handle this task for a sum of money. It differs depending on the type of waste, the area’s size, and the distance to which the dirt will have to be transported.

You must pay $150 – $250 per cubic yard, or about $2,000 per each dump truck.

Labor Costs

The labor costs for excavation work can be calculated as an hourly rate or depend on the site’s area and the required depth. In this case, payment is calculated per cubic yard.

Average workers estimate an hour of their labor at $120 – $150. You have to pay from $50 to $200 per one cubic yard of cultivated land, depending on the location of the site and accessibility of the facility.

Equipment and Tools

Depending on the type of work, the contractor may need different equipment and machinery. This could include a bulldozer, excavator, loader, trencher, etc. For renting such a car, you have to pay from $100 to $250.

The excavation cost depends on many factors, including the physical characteristics of your house (if we are talking about construction of the basement), soil type, accessibility, and site contamination. On average, it costs between $30 and $75 per square foot.

The cost of construction work associated with excavation varies depending on the type of project the contractor is working on.

Construction of Basements or Crawl Spaces

If you decide to build a new basement by itself, your expenses may include renting equipment, that is, about $500.

However, it is impossible to work on large-scale projects on your own; for large buildings you will need the help of professionals. The cost of such projects may reach $15,000 or more.

Basement Repair and Waterproofing

Repairing and waterproofing of a basement costs between $2,000 and $6,000. The excavation costs will depend on the structure’s condition and work complexity.

Driveway and Patio Construction

Depending on the flatness of the surface, soil type, underground communications, and other factors, the cost of driveway and patio construction vary from $1,000 to $2,500.

Hillside Excavation Projects

When calculating the cost of hillside excavation, consider the location of the site and its terrain. A too steep surface will make it difficult to maneuver the equipment and also contribute to its wear. Such conditions will increase costs.

Prepare to pay from $1,000 to $5,000 for such work.

New Construction Excavation

If you need to dig a recess necessary for a foundation, consider the depth of the pit, soil type, and contamination of the territory. Prices for such services range from $1,500 to $6,000.

Please note! The cost of foundation laying services is not included in this amount.

Plumbing and Septic Tank Installation

Workers’ services for trenching sewer lines and septic systems cost an average of $1,500. Add to this amount the cost of renting specialized equipment, which ranges from $150 to $400.

Pond Construction

Excavation costs for pond construction depend on:

• soil type;
• site location;
• the area and depth of the artificial pond;
• additional decorative elements like waterfalls.

Depending on the specifics and complexity of the project, costs start from $2,500 and beyond.

Pool Construction

You need about $1,500 to dig a small hole for a pool in an easily accessible location with soft soil. If working conditions are difficult, costs may rise to $10,000+.

Rock Excavation

Rock excavation costs per m³ range from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on the tasks performed by your contractor. For example, the need for blasting to destroy particularly strong rocks increases costs significantly.

To simplify the work of contractors and avoid additional costs, it is better to carry out the land work for the creation of the basement at a particular time:

1. Before starting construction of a house. At this time, the area for excavation is maximally accessible; there are still no pipes or other communications underground. Furthermore, the yard is cleared enough for comfortable operation of the equipment.
2. During the warm season. When frost conditions occur, the soil becomes more difficult to dig. It may increase the cost of the work.
3. Simultaneously with laying the foundation. Basement excavation, simultaneously with digging a hole for the foundation, will allow you to complete all the work at once while the house has not yet been built and does not create additional obstacles to the operation of equipment.

At first glance, DIY excavation may seem cheaper than the services of professional contractors. Indeed, you can save on paying for the services of hired workers.

However, beginners in this field can implement only the simplest projects, and they will still have to spend money on renting or buying expensive equipment.

For more complex projects, you will still eventually need to turn to specialists. Here are some reasons for this:

• such work requires a high level of skills and experience;
• DIY excavation may require too much time;
• doing it yourself may result in non-compliance with local regulations and legal problems;
• only cooperation with professionals can guarantee the best result.

Excavation is a significant expense item when building a house or renovating a plot of land. Below, you will find some recommendations for reducing the cost of these works:

1. Compare the pricing policies of several contractors. Many companies offer an excavation cost calculator for Ontario and other jurisdictions on their websites.
2. Discuss the cost of the project before work starts. Predictable costs are one of the benefits of working with qualified contractors. Nevertheless, independent land work may lead to unplanned expenses.
3. Do some work without professional help. For example, clearing the site or removing garbage yourself will help you save money.
4. Do not start work during peak season. Most construction work takes place in the summer, so during these months contractors are most in demand, so they offer their services as expensively as possible. Start excavation in the off-season, when hourly rates are slightly lower. However, you should not wait for frost: remember that digging hard soil is more difficult, longer, and more expensive.

There is a significant difference between these concepts. Excavation is a process that involves removal of land, and yard grading is about leveling the surface of your site.

Yard grading may also include soil removal, but most often these are minor adjustments, while excavation involves deep fundamental work.

There is also a difference in the technology used. You can use more light equipment for yard grading, but for excavation, heavy machines are needed.

Excavation costs are a variable value that depends on many factors: soil structure, site characteristics, its location, and even the season when you begin your project.

The eagerness to save money may push homeowners to do the excavation work themselves. However, only turning to professionals guarantees obtaining a high-quality result in the shortest possible time.

Entrust excavation to the Quality Age Build team and become the owner of a reliable basement, pool, or other structure.