What's The Cost of Moving Dirt?

[JBJTX81]

Getting some bids to flood about 5 acres on my place. For the folks that have done this before was you cost based on the job or bid by the hour? What did you pay per hour? I'm sure there are tons a variables just trying to find a good baseline. The folks I'm getting bids from all seem very well known and reputable. Just curious where the market is for this type of work currently.

[RCDuck]

That's fairly impossible to predict. It all depends on what equipment they are bringing, how much dirt is being moved, and how far the dirt is moving. If you are saying you are getting multiple bids from reputable companies.... they will tell you where the market is. Not much help, I know, but there are so many variables to it.

[Drycreek3189]

That's fairly impossible to predict. It all depends on what equipment they are bringing, how much dirt is being moved, and how far the dirt is moving. If you are saying you are getting multiple bids from reputable companies.... they will tell you where the market is. Not much help, I know, but there are so many variables to it.

This…..exactly !

[Txhunter3000]

I could probably list 50 variables to your question by what you asked for. I would assume they would quote by the hour if they are familiar with the area.

[PYBUCK]

All depends on whether you are renting a dozer and doing it yourself or having it done turnkey. Turnkey will be considerable higher than you doing it yourself, probably 5-10 times a high.

[RMW]

If your talking about a tractor with 18yd scraper bucket minimum probably 180.00 per hour, small job might charge 200.00

[.243 WSSM]

Tell us more about this project. Are you beaming up a lowland/drainage area/creek or are you excavating an area to form a depression? I assume this is to attract ducks? Are you going to plant ag crop or moist soil management? Control structure will be needed for either to maximize success

[Sippy]

Make certain you aren't in a wetland first or there can be huge consequences. If your guys giving bids didnt mention that, dont use them!

Too many variables and not enough info to give a ballpark.

[DUKFVR]

From my dealings in the area I would expect somewhere around 200 an hour starting rate.

[eastover53]

Going rate in my area is around $1.75/yard or $350/hour for a big dual bucket rig or a 20 yard ejector scraper.

[dclifton]

All i can say is unless its short pushes with a dozer. Cheapest way to move dirt is tractor and pan. So i would bite the bullet and find somebody that will do it this way.

Dont get a guy with a 12/14 yd dump truck and trackhoe they will break you quick.


The efficency of a Pan makes up for its higher hourly rate very quickly.

[unclefish]

To give you an indication back in 2019 I had a one acre area dug out about 4 feet deep with a dam built. They used a giant double-wheel tractor with an 18 yd scraper. This also included a day of dozer work clearing some willow trees. Cost was $13K. Took them 2 1/2 days total.