Excavation cost...never had to do dirt work, does this sound reasonable?

[TheGator]

Beginning the build with some excavation work in next couple weeks if weather cooperates. Had a hell of a time getting any excavators to answer calls or call back. Of 7 contacts only 2 responded and only one was available this year. So that pretty much narrowed it down s far as bids go. The site is not a hillside, but there's fair bit of material to move. The building will be 40x60 with the front gable being at the low point and going 60' back into about a 3'6" gradual grade. Which will mean about 50'x80' area going down about 2.5' on average then tapered out to original grade. Most if not all removed material will be going to low spots on the property, so should be little to no haul out costs. I've been quoted $3000-3500 depending on if any haul out is needed or extra pad material needed. Figuring it would cost me $2k + and a few weekends to rent suitable equipment and tackle it myself...that seemed in the ball park to me. However I've never dealt with excavation work before so I'm clueless. Am I getting taken to cleaners or getting a fair price? It doesn't really matter as I don't really have any other options right now, just curious for future reference.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Good price. If not a little cheap.

 

[shelteredV]

That sounds very reasonable to me, but I am in a really expensive area where medium machine and operator are 1800-2000 a day

 

[p_mori7]

That's quite a bit of material to move / haul.

Probably quoting you a fairly large excavator and use of a dump truck.

If he uses a backhoe, it will take him longer...so call it a wash on total cost.

Those things aren't cheap to acquire & operate...so $3K doesn't seem too bad to me.

I had a lot less than that to do, used a guy with a compact excavator & dump truck...and it ended up costing me about $900.

~Phil.

 

[hemifalcon]

You need to get realistic in your expectations.. it’s not a sandbox operating your Buddy-L or Tonka toys.. my 42x71 job cost me $9k and required fill and rock for the driveway.. before the full needed for the driveway-it was $7kish.. And—that was the “friend” price..
Ask yourself—how good of a foundation do you want?


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[6768rogues]

Back when I built my barn, I had a considerable amount of site work to do. Rather than hiring it done, I bought a used diesel skidsteer loader. It cost a couple thousand more than hiring the work out, but I am still using that machine 24 years later. It was worth every penny. About an hour in the seat makes you an expert.
In 24 years, I have had the water pump rebuilt, replaced two hoses and put in a couple of batteries. New tires about 10 years ago. No other repairs, just oil and filter changes, grease, and fuel filters.

 

[oilslick]

A good operator will knock it out so fast you're going to think you over paid. Trust me,just owning a cat backhoe has made me aware of the operating costs of equipment! Seems fair,you should let him get done and ask him if he offers a cash discount, most like to keep some jobs off the books!

 

[T_R]

Fair price. Mine was 1/3 the size and a thousand bucks.

 

[nes999]

How much experience do you have running heavy equipment? It always looks easy until you get behind the controls. I think that is more than reasonable. Even if you could do it for 2 grand, I dont think the risk is worth it.

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[Skunkape]

I charge my trackhoe and operator out at $145/hr, with a $500 mob/demob fee. I would say you got a good price.

 

[Garagetime]

That seems like a good price. I got 3700 in my site work. That was fill driveway covert trucking and excavator work and I had a stone retaining wall finished.

 

[TheGator]

thanks for the input guys. General consensus is good or fair price so that gives me alittle warmer feeling about it. Things arent booming around here, relatively rural area, which made the lack of replies alittle more confusing. Not alot of new construction type stuff and getting to the slower time of year so figured guys would be jumping at it, but i work on cars and trucks for a living, so im no expert in current excavation business trends. Ive dabbled in some light excavation work with mini trac hoe, small back hoes and done a fair bit of light skid steer work, so im confident i could have figured it out. That being said, for the rental costs and time it would take an amature like me i think it will be money well spent to hire it out and I feel better about it having some similar thoughts on the matter. Thanks again!

 

[rburke65]

I had $5,800 in my site work but worth every dime. I told the guy I wanted a dry shop when he finished and to grade it as if he was doing his own. Because it it ain't dry, it aint worth a damn!

 

[RWorth]

Back when I built my barn, I had a considerable amount of site work to do. Rather than hiring it done, I bought a used diesel skidsteer loader. It cost a couple thousand more than hiring the work out, but I am still using that machine 24 years later. It was worth every penny. About an hour in the seat makes you an expert.
In 24 years, I have had the water pump rebuilt, replaced two hoses and put in a couple of batteries. New tires about 10 years ago. No other repairs, just oil and filter changes, grease, and fuel filters.

I did the same when I needed a title 5 system at my house. my best estimate for the system was 10K, I took the 20 question test at the town hall and got a title5 lic. for 150 bux, bought a used bobcat 610 for 3500, spent 3K on materials, and used the bobcat for 20 years. It has saved me thousands, and made me thousands more over the years.

 

[Jeepster04]

Guess Im lucky... Local guy charges me $100 an hour and leveled off a spot for my 40x64' pole building. Took him 5 hours cutting right at ~3' with a dozer....

 

[Hollywood D]

I’m lucky too. I was going to move the dirt myself but at the last minute the contractor said his guys would do it free of charge. I just have to haul it away, spread it around the property.

 

[GarageGuy89]

Sounds far here too. What you described was 370 cubic yards moved onsite, around here for big jobs the price is around $15.50/CY moved onsite.

Seems like a good deal, especially if you have someone that can do it this year. You have to remember, construction is crazy busy right now with most good people sucked up by the big investors paying the big bucks.