Excavation Cost Calculator
for Austin, Texas
Get a price range for Austin & Hill Country excavation in 60 seconds. Pricing comes straight from our published rate card. A site walk sets the final number. A drone scan measures the ground surface only; rock below it is confirmed with test holes and probing.
- Free site walk
- Written, itemized quote
- Insured crew ($2M per occurrence / $5M aggregate general liability)
- Operator and fuel
Planning estimate only. Final pricing is set after a site walk. Limestone, slope and access may shift price within the published range. Written quote within 48 hours of the site walk.
What does excavation cost in Austin?
These are the same ranges the calculator uses, for Austin and Central Texas. Everything on this page is readable without JavaScript.
| Service | Range | Per | What moves it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock excavation, rippable (caliche, soft limestone) | $35–$45 | cubic yard | |
| Rock excavation, hydraulic hammer (hard limestone) | $65–$90 | cubic yard | |
| Site and pad prep | $12,000–$22,000 | lot | to $30,000 with rock and engineered fill |
| Foundation excavation | $15,000–$28,000 | structure | |
| Utility trenching | $5–$40 | linear foot | depth and rock drive the price |
| Grading | $2,500–$8,000 | lot | to $12,000+ with rock |
Prices reviewed: September 2026. Ranges for Austin and Central Texas; your site walk sets the final number.
Worked examples
- Example: 100 cubic yards of rippable rock. 100 x $35–$45 = $3,500–$4,500. The same 100 cubic yards that need a hydraulic hammer: 100 x $65–$90 = $6,500–$9,000.
- Example: 150 linear feet of utility trench. 150 ft x $5–$40 per foot = $750–$6,000. Depth and rock drive where it lands.
How this estimate works
The calculator starts from the range for the work you pick. Rock, project size, tight access and neighboring structures move your number inside that range. West of the Balcones Fault, limestone sits near the surface; east of it, Austin Chalk and Blackland clay dig differently. Hard rock is priced by the cubic yard, and how much of it you have is confirmed on site. A drone scan measures the surface only, so rock below grade is confirmed with test holes and probing.
Common questions
How much does rock excavation cost in Austin?
Rippable rock (caliche, soft limestone) runs $35–$45 per cubic yard. Hard limestone that needs a hydraulic hammer runs $65–$90 per cubic yard.
What does foundation excavation cost?
A house foundation dig runs $15,000–$28,000 per structure, depending on depth, rock and access.
How much is utility trenching per foot?
Trenching runs $5–$40 per linear foot. Depth and rock drive the price.
Do you haul the dirt away?
Spoil haul is included in the dig price.
Do I need to call 811 before digging?
Yes. Texas law requires a call to 811 at least two business days before you dig. We confirm locates before digging.
Related services
Clear Ground · Austin, Texas