How do you price excavation?
Work out bank volume from the dig dimensions, apply swell for the volume to haul and divide by truck capacity. Add dump fees, equipment by the hour and, if needed, shoring and dewatering.
Soil reused as backfill comes off hauling, applying the compaction factor.
What is swell and why does it matter?
Dug soil loosens and takes more space: 10–15% for sand, 25% for common earth, 35% for clay and 50%+ for blasted rock. Counting trucks from bank volume is one of the costliest mistakes.
Compacted fill does the opposite — it takes less space than in the bank.
What safety measures does a trench need?
OSHA requires a protective system at 5 ft deep unless in stable rock; over 20 ft it must be engineered. Keep spoil and equipment back from the edge and provide ladders.
Shoring saves digging and backfill compared with sloping, especially in deep or tight trenches.