Whether you are breaking ground for a new custom home or digging out space for a finished basement, excavation is the first visible step of any residential construction project. Knowing the true residential excavation cost up front prevents budget overruns, keeps your schedule realistic, and helps every trade that follows stay on track. CountBricks combines AI-driven voice capture, real-time material databases, and blueprint takeoffs to turn this once-uncertain line item into a precise number you can rely on.
• Soil type and geotechnical conditions (rocky shale costs more to remove than sandy loam)
• Site accessibility for equipment and haul-off trucks
• Required depth and overall cubic yardage
• Need for shoring, benching, or temporary retaining
• Haul-off distance, dump fees, and environmental regulations
• Weather impacts and groundwater management
• Local labor rates and union vs. open-shop requirements
Based on thousands of residential projects analyzed by CountBricks, base excavation in the Denver metro area typically runs from $3 to $8 per square foot of building footprint, or $40 to $85 per cubic yard. Rocky terrain, high water tables, or tight urban lots can push totals above $100 per cubic yard. While these numbers provide a starting point, every site is unique—exact values come from real-time data, not broad averages. That is why CountBricks estimates pull live equipment rental rates, diesel indexes, and dump fees the moment you speak your scope into our app.
1. You open a live voice session and describe the dig: “Excavate 2,200 square feet, 8 ft deep, moderate clay, access on one side.”
2. CountBricks AI parses the conversation, identifies tasks, and builds an itemized estimate in seconds.
3. Our material engine pings suppliers across your ZIP code for current equipment, fuel, and haul-off pricing.
4. Blueprint PDFs are automatically scanned; cut-and-fill volumes populate the scope, eliminating human takeoff errors.
5. A branded, ready-to-send quote—complete with clarifications, inclusions, and exclusions—appears in your dashboard.
Visit CountBricks.com/services to see the full workflow in action.
• Schedule dig and backfill in the same week to reduce remobilization charges.
• Use on-site spoils for landscaping berms instead of hauling everything off.
• Opt for GPS-guided equipment to cut operator hours by up to 15 %.
• Request bulk fuel surcharges in advance to avoid surprise price escalations.
• Combine utility trenching with mass excavation under one contract to leverage volume discounts.
1. Upload civil plans and soils report to your CountBricks project folder.
2. Start a voice call; confirm square footage, depths, access notes, and target start date.
3. Review the AI estimate for quantities, labor hours, and allowances.
4. Adjust markups or contingency percentages as needed.
5. Export a PDF proposal or push the numbers directly into your CountBricks invoice template.
• How long does a typical residential excavation take? — Most single-family digs finish in 2-5 days, weather and inspections permitting.
• Does CountBricks include dewatering costs? — Yes, pumps, hoses, and discharge permits appear automatically when the water table is within 2 ft of subgrade.
• Can I sync this estimate with my accounting software? — CountBricks offers direct exports to major platforms; see CountBricks.com/integrations.
Every downstream trade—from foundation crews to framers—relies on the pad being level, square, and delivered on time. Underestimating excavation can cascade into overtime, liquidated damages, and strained client relationships. By using CountBricks' AI estimation engine, builders lock in realistic budgets, owners see transparent breakdowns, and subcontractors receive clear scopes. Accuracy at the dirt-moving stage is not just about cost; it is about trust and project momentum.
Join thousands of residential builders who start every project with CountBricks precision. Create your free account at CountBricks.com/signup and see how fast you can turn ground into growth.
When Evergreen Builders approached CountBricks to price a walk-out basement on Hilltop Lane, the soils report revealed a surprise layer of fractured granite at four feet. Traditional estimating methods would have added a broad contingency, but the team needed hard numbers to secure bank financing.
• Our estimator launched a voice call, noting the rock depth, required blasting permits, and limited street access.
• The AI engine referenced regional blasting averages and current diesel rates, then matched the scope to the nearest rock-saw subcontractor in our database.
• Within 90 seconds, the owner received an itemized quote: $56,300 for 780 cubic yards, including vibration monitoring and post-blast surveys.
• The bank approved the construction loan the same afternoon, citing the transparent breakdown.
The project wrapped three days ahead of schedule. By integrating blasting, mass excavation, and foundation prep under one CountBricks purchase order, Evergreen saved 11 % compared to their previous baseline. The homeowner praised the precise upfront numbers that prevented mid-project change orders.
• Always upload the full geotechnical report—CountBricks AI flags hidden rock zones instantly.
• Combine cut-and-fill data with landscaping plans to reuse suitable spoils onsite.
• Schedule blasting inspections concurrently with city footing checks to streamline approvals.
If your upcoming project involves uncertain soil conditions, visit CountBricks.com/consultation and book a 15-minute call. Our team will walk you through a live demo and show how quickly accurate excavation costs can move your project from permit to pour.
