Excavation & Dirt Projects

Every excavation estimate has two volumes: the hole you dig (bank volume) and the pile you haul (loose volume). Confusing them is why skips overflow, trucks make extra trips, and disposal budgets blow up. This hub collects the calculators, swell-factor references, and cost guides for digging pads and trenches, grading, and moving dirt on or off the site.

Plan in this order: compute bank volume from dimensions, apply the swell factor for your soil type to get loose volume, convert to truckloads by both volume and weight, then price contractor time or hauling from current rates.

Calculators

CalculatorExcavation & Trench CalculatorBank and loose volume for pads and trenches (vertical or sloped sides), truckloads, and hauling cost.Open calculator → CalculatorCubic Yard CalculatorAny shape to cubic yards and tons, for fill orders and irregular dig areas.Open calculator → CalculatorSlope & Grade CalculatorTarget grades for drainage and the fall in inches your finished surface needs.Open calculator →

Planning guides

ExcavationHow to Calculate Excavation VolumePads, trenches, and sloped-side digs step by step, with the trapezoidal method worked through.Read guide → ExcavationSoil Swell: Bank vs. Loose vs. CompactedThe three volume states of soil and the multipliers between them, by material.Read guide → ExcavationDump-Truck Loads of DirtTruck capacities by axle count, weight limits versus volume, and load planning.Read guide →

Costs & budgeting

CostsExcavation Cost Guide (2026)Per-yard and hourly contractor rates, grading prices, trenching, and what drives quotes up.Read guide → CostsFill Dirt & Topsoil Delivery CostPer-yard and truckload pricing for fill, topsoil, and sand, plus delivery fees.Read guide →

Safety is not optional

Call 811 before every dig, no exceptions. OSHA requires cave-in protection (sloping, benching, a trench box, or shoring) for any trench 5 feet or deeper that a person will enter, and unstable soil can collapse at shallower depths. One cubic yard of soil weighs as much as a small car. Our safety page covers the rules in plain language, and the excavation calculator flags depths that trigger OSHA requirements. If the dig serves a drainage project, plan the outlet first with the drainage hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does excavation cost in 2026?

Contractor excavation for residential projects typically runs $50 to $200 per cubic yard depending on soil, access, and depth. Hauling spoil off-site adds $8 to $25 per cubic yard, and lot grading runs $0.08 to $2.00 per square foot.

What is soil swell and why does it matter?

Dug soil occupies 12-50% more volume than it did in the ground: sand swells about 12%, mixed earth 25%, clay 30%, blasted rock up to 50%. Haul-away and disposal must be estimated from the swelled loose volume, not the hole size.

How many yards of dirt fit in a dump truck?

Single-axle trucks haul 5-6 cubic yards and tandem-axle trucks 10-14, but weight often governs first: moist earth at 2,200-2,700 lb per cubic yard can max out legal payload below the bed's volume.

Do I need to call 811 before digging?

Yes. U.S. federal law requires contacting 811 a few business days before any excavation so buried utilities can be marked. The service is free, and skipping it risks injury, outages, and liability.