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Calcimator

Excavation Cost Calculator

Estimate excavation costs based on volume, soil type, machine rates, and hauling for earth, rock, or mixed material.

Inputs

cu yd
$/hr
cu yd/hr

Results

Machine Cost

$1,875.00

≈ 14 pairs of sneakers

Total Cost

$6,875.00

≈ 7 smartphones

Cost per Cubic Yard

$13.75

Machine Hours12.5 hrs
Hauling Cost$5,000.00
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Excavation Volume in cubic yards — calculate this with the Trench Volume calculator first.
  2. Select Soil/Material Type: soft soil is fastest; rock requires blasting and is most expensive.
  3. Choose Machine Type (mini-excavator, full-size excavator, backhoe) for the appropriate productivity rate.
  4. Enter Haul Distance in miles and the Tip Fee if spoil must be trucked off-site.
  5. Review Machine Cost, Hauling Cost, Total Cost, and Cost per Cubic Yard to compare bids.

How the result changes with Base Production Rate

Base Production RateMachine CostTotal CostCost per Cubic Yard
25$3,000.00$8,000.00$16.00
73$1,027.50$6,027.50$12.06
132$568.50$5,568.50$11.14
181$414.00$5,414.00$10.83

What each input means

Excavation Volume
Total volume to be excavated in cubic yards.
Soil/Material Type
Material type affects production rate and hauling cost.
Machine Type
Equipment type used for excavation.
Machine Rate
Hourly rental or operating cost of the machine with operator.
Base Production Rate
Production rate in normal soil conditions (adjusted for soil type).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Excavation Volume = 500, Soil/Material Type = 1, Machine Type = 2, Machine Rate = 150 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Machine Cost
    Machine Cost
    1875 = $1,875
  3. Calculate Total Cost
    Total Cost
    6875 = $6,875
  4. Calculate Cost per Cubic Yard
    Cost per Cubic Yard
    13.75 = $13.75
  5. Calculate Machine Hours
    Machine Hours
    12.5 = 12.5
  6. Calculate Hauling Cost
    Hauling Cost
    5000 = $5,000

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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