Cost for excavation

What is a reasonable cost per cubic yard for backyard excavation? This would be for an extension. Assume shoring is not an issue, overall depths would be 6 ft plus additional 4 feed for the actual foundation. Area would be 25×15 feet overall. Access would be via garden level apartment only – all work manual.

nonsense

in Construction 13 years and 11 months ago

6

Please log in, in order to post replies!

6 replies

Newest Oldest

Townie | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4836 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4852 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "70723"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BHD3oVuExLogAMJZwxq5xvDnzSzaSF/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "townie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "Tpietrzak@NYC.rr.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/totoro/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:29:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "5fO74Kcn6ROdoMTkPvYt"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(70723)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

To repeat what other have said… There will have to be shoring to protect neighboring property and the workers down in the hole. The DOB does not allow you to dig straight down. Without shoring the excavation must be performed in a way that moves back at a specific angle to prevent cave-ins. Most likely won’t get an answer to your question about cost here on the forum. There are “soft” costs such as engineering and architect fees, boring tests and soil mechanics reports, expeditor fees and permits. There is a premium cost to bring everything through the house. There will be the cost of removing the soil and then an additional cost to put the soil back if needed. There will be a cost to permit street containers as the soil is removed. Your architect/contractor is the one to provide you with answers. They have the “per square foot” number you are looking for.

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4835 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4834 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You cannot dig deeper than 4′. I hope you have an architect and structural engineer on board. Shoring requries permits and inspections. Do not do it without, major fines and plan on being shut down for months while sorting it all out.

masterbuilder | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4845 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4837 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "26835"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "masterbuilder"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BEhqCCOZrWesH0da.UZzi2Nb1a4B.R/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "masterbuilder"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "salemfilm@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/masterbuilder/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "masterbuilder"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(26835)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This is not answering the question directly, but excavation should not be managed by reasonable cost. It should be managed by realistic cost and stringent structural and safety concerns. When I was an apprentice, we were taught shoring from the point of view of OSHA. Here’s some OSHA info: http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_v/otm_v_2.html#6

Silvermax | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4836 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4838 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "29536"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "Silvermax"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "Silvermax"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(27) "MarthaCameron@earthlink.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/silvermax/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2009-04-21 17:51:30"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "Silvermax"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(29536)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

So, this is what I get from your description: You’re building a fairly large addition onto your house, yes (25 x 15)? And you’re going down 10 feet — 4 feet + 6 feet: 4 feet for the foundation of the addition, which will then be 6 feet lower than the level of the existing structure that you’re adding to, correct? And you’re not worried about jeopardizing the foundation of the existing structure???? I think you might want to check with a structural engineer. And I’m assuming you have a permit, of course….

jameskoster | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4835 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4839 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "52369"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "jameskoster"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BM0La06PQWl7vM8NZl7wpsLNbYH3Md."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "jameskoster"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "jkoster@jkosterarch.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "http://www.jkosterarch.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:03"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "jameskoster"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(52369)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Yes, I’m sorry to say the law will require shoring for a hole this deep — I’ve actually been told it’s required for anything over 5 feet, but I haven’t looked it up lately.

windsorterror | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4845 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4840 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178318"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "windsorterror"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B23XhDnuRPTfFnhDVhpx00XFP0.1Vq0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "windsorterror"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "keesmon@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/windsorterror/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:02:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "windsorterror"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178318)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I thought that anything over 6′ was automatically subject to shoring?