Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
How much does excavation cost?
Excavation costs$2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard or $1,100 to $5,600 total on average, depending on the project type and size, the accessibility of the job site, the soil type, and if there are any underground obstacles that could interfere.
Common excavation projects and costs include:
Digging an in-ground swimming pool costs $1,000 to $5,000.
Excavating a driveway or patio costs $1,000 to $2,500.
Digging a basement for new construction costs $1,500 to $10,000.
Excavating a foundation pad for a new home site costs $1,500 to $10,000.
Excavation costs $100 to $300 per hour for a trained operator with their own equipment or $50 to $150 per hour for an operator who uses a mini excavator you've rented separately.
What is excavation?
Excavation involves digging, trenching, dirt removal, and other earthmoving to prepare a site for construction, typically using heavy equipment like an excavator or backhoe. Excavation is required when building a new home or driveway, digging a basement or inground pool, or installing septic or gas lines.
Excavation often includes land clearing, leveling, or grading, though some contractors price these services separately.
How long does excavation take?
Excavation takes 1 to 3 days for small projects and up to 3+ weeks for larger projects or areas with rocky soil, a rock shelf that must be broken up with a jackhammer, or large boulders that must be removed.
If the excavator must use explosives or hydraulic fracturing to blast through a rock shelf or boulder, additional permit and safety requirements may increase the project's length.
Can excavation be done in the winter?
Excavation can be done in the winter, but it's not recommended in areas that experience snow as the thawing snow may cause shifting earth or drainage issues later. The best time to excavate is in the spring, after all snow has thawed and the water has drained or evaporated. Homeowners in areas without snow can excavate at any time.
How do I choose the best excavation company near me?
Follow these tips when hiring an excavation company:
Get at least three quotes to compare. Excavation companies require an on-site visit to provide an accurate estimate.
Look for pros with Erosion and Sediment Control certification.
Ask the contractor about an erosion control plan for your property.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select a company that is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins..
Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead.
What are questions to ask excavation companies when hiring?
Ask these questions to ensure you hire the best excavation company for your project:
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Are you certified in Erosion and Sediment Control? What is your erosion control plan for my project?
Do you own or rent your excavation equipment? Does the estimate include all equipment and delivery fees?
Will you flag any buried pipes and utility lines before work begins?
Does the estimate include leveling and/or grading the land?
Does the estimate include fill dirt, topsoil, and dirt delivery fees?
Does the estimate include site cleanup and debris removal?
What other costs might come up during the project?
Will this project require permits, and will you obtain them?
How long will the project take?
Reviews for Los Angeles excavating companies
Recent success stories from people in the Los Angeles area.
Yaniv K.
Highly recommend these guys after doing a great job from start to finish !
I recently bought a house for investment and needed remodeling for the kitchen and 2 bathrooms , and a friend recommended Oria Builders and sent me to speak with Gilad the owner.
we clicked from the first call , Gilad was super friendly , professional and understood exactly what I was looking for without me having to explain too much and got me a price offer and work plan within a couple of days and by the next week the crew was already working on my property.
Gabriel the project manager was always polite and respectful, kept everything clean and did a raeally good job on keeping us updated at every point of the job .
they completed the job within the agreed upon time frame with no lagging , left everything clean and looking brand new , and I will absolutely use their services again in the future .
thanks again guys for doing a wonderful job!
Oria Builders
Luna A.
Gerardo BC Landscaping has a group with a lot of experience, responsible people at a reasonable price, they did a synthetic sac job for me and they explained to me which was the best for my dog and the best, an excellent price and with the 15-year warranty certificate
BC Landscape Service
Ken S.
Sky Renovation and new construction are true professionals in every aspect of work. They recently remodeled our kitchen and we wanted combination of modern and classic look so not simple task but remodeled kitchen looks just as we wished it will look like, even better. We didn't had a single complaint about Sky Renovation team, they were nice, quick and efficient, informed us about working progress all the time and gave us some very important advises. Also the quality of materials they used was highest quality. This contractor deserves highest possible rating, thanks!
Sky Renovation & New Construction
Gary T.
They went above what I had asked for. Were on time and cleaned up when they finished.
Diaz Landscaping Services
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