Excavation Contractor Estimate Template
An excavation contractor estimate forecasts the price before work starts: 8 lines for dig a basement for a new 28x40 ft house, stockpile topsoil and haul off excess spoil, totalling $12,050.00, with equipment the largest share (44%). It states its assumptions and stays valid for 30 days. Edit the lines and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for an excavation contractor: dig a basement for a new 28x40 ft house, stockpile topsoil and haul off excess spoil. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Cedar Hill Excavation
841 Market Street
Fairview, OR 97024
billing@example.com
(512) 555-0141
Estimate
Prepared for
Riley Chen
52 Aspen Way
Franklin, TN 37064
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobilization of excavator and skid steerLowboy trailer delivery and pickup | 1 each | $650.00 | $650.00 |
| Strip and stockpile topsoil | 2,400 sq ft | $0.40 | $960.00 |
| Excavator, 20-ton, with operatorBasement dig to 8 ft with 2 ft overdig for footings | 18 hr | $165.00 | $2,970.00 |
| Skid steer with operatorRamp work, cleanup and spreading | 10 hr | $105.00 | $1,050.00 |
| Tri-axle dump truck, spoil haul-off | 24 load | $145.00 | $3,480.00 |
| Crushed stone base under footings | 30 ton | $32.00 | $960.00 |
| Backfill and rough grade after foundation | 8 hr | $165.00 | $1,320.00 |
| Silt fence for erosion control | 220 linear ft | $3.00 | $660.00 |
- Subtotal
- $12,050.00
- Estimate total
- $12,050.00
Notes
An excavation estimate should state the dig dimensions and depth, the assumed soil type, how spoil is handled and that rock, groundwater and unmarked utilities are priced separately.
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Excavation Contractor estimate at a glance
| Scope estimated | Dig a basement for a new 28x40 ft house, stockpile topsoil and haul off excess spoil |
|---|---|
| Estimate total | $12,050.00 before tax |
| Valid for | 30 days from the estimate date |
| Deposit | Builders on account rarely pay a deposit; homeowners hiring directly are often asked for the mobilization and stone cost up front. |
| Equipment (3 lines) | $5,340.00, 44% |
| Travel (2 lines) | $4,130.00, 34% |
| Materials (2 lines) | $1,620.00, 13% |
| Priced in | hr |
Estimate breakdown for dig a basement for a new 28x40 ft house, stockpile topsoil and haul off excess spoil
| Item | Type | Est. quantity | Est. amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobilization of excavator and skid steer | Travel | 1 each | $650.00 |
| Strip and stockpile topsoil | Labour | 2,400 sq ft | $960.00 |
| Excavator, 20-ton, with operator | Equipment | 18 hr | $2,970.00 |
| Skid steer with operator | Equipment | 10 hr | $1,050.00 |
| Tri-axle dump truck, spoil haul-off | Travel | 24 load | $3,480.00 |
| Crushed stone base under footings | Materials | 30 ton | $960.00 |
| Backfill and rough grade after foundation | Equipment | 8 hr | $1,320.00 |
| Silt fence for erosion control | Materials | 220 linear ft | $660.00 |
| Estimated total | $12,050.00 |
What to write on an excavation contractor estimate
An excavation estimate should state the dig dimensions and depth, the assumed soil type, how spoil is handled and that rock, groundwater and unmarked utilities are priced separately.
Materials and products are $1,620.00 of this $12,050.00 estimate (13%), so say how long those prices hold: supplier prices can move before the job starts.
Bills machine hours with operator for each piece of equipment, plus mobilization to move it on site and per-load trucking of spoil or fill.
Assumptions behind each line
Write these next to the 8 lines so the customer sees what the $12,050.00 depends on.
- Mobilization of excavator and skid steer: 1 each ($650.00), assuming the site at 52 Aspen Way.
- Strip and stockpile topsoil: 2,400 sq ft at $0.40 per sq ft ($960.00); extra sq ft at the same rate.
- Excavator, 20-ton, with operator: 18 hr of hire ($2,970.00); longer hire is extra.
- Skid steer with operator: 10 hr of hire ($1,050.00); longer hire is extra.
- Tri-axle dump truck, spoil haul-off: 24 load ($3,480.00), assuming the site at 52 Aspen Way.
- Crushed stone base under footings: 30 ton at $32.00 ($960.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Backfill and rough grade after foundation: 8 hr of hire ($1,320.00); longer hire is extra.
- Silt fence for erosion control: 220 linear ft at $3.00 ($660.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
Changes, overruns and change orders
If the customer adds work, put it on a signed change order first. Pricing the extra in hr keeps it comparable with the $12,050.00 you estimated.
A 10% rise in material prices would add $162.00 to this job, which is why many excavation contractors limit how long an estimate stays valid.
Tips from excavation and site work billing
- Show the 811 locate ticket number on the invoice; it proves utilities were marked before digging, which matters if a line is later found damaged.
- Bill trucking by counted load with a load tally sheet rather than an estimate of cubic yards, since the number of trucks that left the site is easy for the builder to cross-check.
- Separate rock removal from ordinary digging and record the hours the breaker hammer ran, because ledge rock can double machine time and is almost always excluded from a dig price.
- Charge mobilization once per move and note when a machine had to leave and return because the site was not ready, so the extra trip is visibly the result of a delay and not a markup.
Turning the excavation contractor estimate into an invoice
-
Get it approved
Ask Riley Chen to sign or reply in writing to estimate EST-6366.
-
Record the changes
Update quantities to what was actually used across the 8 lines.
-
Switch the document type
Change Estimate to Invoice in the tool; the lines and parties stay.
-
Deduct what was paid
Enter any deposit as amount paid so the balance due is correct.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write an excavation contractor estimate?
Describe the job (Dig a basement for a new 28x40 ft house, stockpile topsoil and haul off excess spoil), list each line with an estimated quantity and rate, total it ($12,050.00 in the sample), state how long it is valid and what it assumes, then send it as a PDF for approval.
Is an excavation contractor estimate binding?
An estimate is a forecast, not a fixed price, so the final invoice can differ when the work or materials change. Rules vary by country and state; to stay safe, get written approval before billing noticeably more than the $12,050.00 you estimated.
How long should an excavation contractor estimate be valid?
Thirty days is common and is what this template uses. With 13% of the price in materials, a shorter validity protects you if supplier prices rise.