Free Excavation Estimate Template
Create a professional estimate in minutes
Price the site work, equipment and hauling in one estimate with the likely cost. Customers see that you understand the site work and can choose your crew with confidence.
Email, print or download your estimate as a PDF.
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Excavation Estimate Template Examples
Browse three layouts for presenting excavation work and its expected price. Every preview opens the same estimate editor, where you add the site details and quantities.
What Is an Excavation Estimate?
An excavation estimate describes the site work you expect to complete and its likely cost. It can cover clearing, trenching, foundation excavation, hauling, backfill or grading.
The price makes more sense when the customer can see both the measured work and the conditions used to price it. Distinguish what you have confirmed on site from what you still need to check.
How to Create an Excavation Estimate
Start with your site measurements and pricing notes. Use the item rows for charges and Terms and Conditions for the access and ground conditions behind them.
- Add Your Business: Enter your excavation business name and contact details.
- Add Your Logo: Add your logo if you use one on your job documents.
- Add the Customer: Enter the customer and site address, including a site contact when useful.
- Add the Number and Dates: Check the estimate number and issue date. Add a response deadline if needed.
- List the Site Work: Enter excavation, hauling and other charges with quantities, units and prices.
- Check the Estimated Total: Review each line amount and any tax or discount before checking the total.
- Explain the Terms: Use Terms and Conditions for site assumptions, exclusions and timing. Review, then email or download a PDF.
How to Fill In Excavation Estimate Line Items
Keep the measurement unit beside the work description so the customer can follow your calculation. State whether excavation rates include equipment and an operator before adding separate machine or crew charges.
This fictional US-dollar estimate covers a foundation area and a utility trench on one site. The excavation and trench rates include equipment and operator time. An illustrative 8% tax applies to all five charges.
| QTY | Description | Unit Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobilization and site setup | $650.00 | $650.00 |
| 120 | cubic yd — Excavate foundation area | $18.00 | $2,160.00 |
| 8 | loads — Haul and dispose of excess soil | $340.00 | $2,720.00 |
| 80 | linear ft — Utility trench excavation and backfill | $22.00 | $1,760.00 |
| 1 | Final grading and site cleanup | $710.00 | $710.00 |
| Subtotal | $8,000.00 | |
| Tax (8% illustrative) | $640.00 | |
| Estimated Total | $8,640.00 |
The eight loads are an estimated hauling quantity, not a conversion of the 120 cubic yards. Base your own load count on the material being removed, truck capacity and material retained on site. Use your own rates and the tax treatment that applies to the job.
What to Include in Excavation Estimate Terms
Use Terms and Conditions to record the site assumptions that could change the work or price. Explain who is arranging permits or utility information when that responsibility is part of your agreement.
The sample below belongs to the foundation and trench estimate above. Adapt the access, exclusions and response period to the actual site; add only payment terms your business uses.
Example: Terms and Conditions
- Estimate covers 120 cubic yards of foundation excavation, 80 linear feet of utility trench excavation and backfill, and eight loads of soil removal. Mobilization, final grading and cleanup are included as listed.
- Price assumes equipment can reach the work area through the agreed site entrance. The hauling allowance is based on eight loads at the stated rate.
- Rock removal, pumping groundwater and removing buried obstructions are not included.
- Please respond within 30 days of the estimate date. We will confirm the start date after reviewing site access and the information needed for the work.
- If site conditions or quantities change, we will explain the additional work and revised price for approval before proceeding.
Turn Your Site Notes Into an Estimate
Enter the expected quantities and your rates. Docelf calculates the amounts so you can focus on checking the scope. Review the estimate, then email it or download a PDF.
Show What Drives the Excavation Price
Site work is easier to review when the estimate connects the measured work with the machines, crew and material movement behind it.
Site area and access
Name the work area and site entrance. Note slopes or tight access that affect which machines can reach the work.
Dimensions and quantities
Show the length, width and depth behind a volume calculation, or the length and trench dimensions behind a per-foot rate. Identify the areas to be cut, filled or graded.
Equipment and crew
List the excavator, loader, compactor, operator and crew time that matter to the job. Include mobilization when it is a real cost.
Hauling and unknowns
Separate load counts, disposal fees and imported materials. State assumptions for soil, rock, groundwater, utilities and buried obstructions.
Excavation Estimate, Quote, or Invoice?
An estimate, quote and invoice serve different stages of the job. Choose the document that fits what you need from the customer now.
Estimate
Use an excavation estimate when quantities or underground conditions may still change the likely cost.
Quote
Use an excavation quote when the site scope, measured quantities, price and terms are specific enough for approval.
Invoice
Use a construction invoice when excavation work is completed or ready for progress billing.
Call Out Site Conditions That Could Change the Likely Cost
Excavation pricing depends on what is known about soil, rock, groundwater, buried obstructions, utilities, access and haul distance. Record the conditions you used to build the estimate.
Keep unknown conditions as clear assumptions or exclusions rather than hiding them in a general note. If the site differs, revise the estimate so the customer can see the changed work and likely total.
More Excavation Estimate Previews
These six layouts offer more ways to present the estimate. Add your own descriptions and prices in the editor.
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Blank Excavation Estimate Template
Create Free Estimate -
Simple Excavation Estimate Template
Create Free Estimate -
Downloadable Excavation Estimate Template
Create Free Estimate -
Editable Excavation Estimate Template
Create Free Estimate -
Fillable Excavation Estimate Template
Create Free Estimate -
Professional Excavation Estimate Template
Create Free Estimate
Need a Related Site-Work Estimate?
Use the excavation estimate for digging, trenching and earth movement. Choose a related template when the work centers on the finished surface or a different construction phase.
Other Estimate Template File Formats
Prefer a document or spreadsheet for your site-work pricing? Choose a file template below and keep the measurement units with each item description.
In Docelf, you can reuse saved customer details and calculate the totals automatically. Add your logo and colors, and attach site photos or a plan when they help explain the work.
- Word Estimate Template
- Google Docs Estimate Template
- Excel Estimate Template
- Google Sheets Estimate Template
See every option on the estimate templates by format page.
After You Send the Estimate
Once you email the estimate, check its history to see when it was delivered and opened. If site information changes the quantities or equipment needed, explain the difference and send the updated estimate before agreeing on the extra work.
When it is time to bill, create an invoice from the estimate in Docelf. The customer and item details carry over; check the work and prices before sending the invoice.
Excavation Estimate Template FAQs
Find answers about measuring excavation work, showing site conditions and updating the estimate when conditions change.
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What is an excavation estimate?
An excavation estimate shows the site work you expect to complete and the likely cost based on known dimensions, conditions, equipment, labor, materials, hauling and assumptions.
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What should I include in an excavation estimate?
Identify the customer, site and work area. List the excavation, equipment, crew, hauling and materials that are included, with quantities and prices. Show the estimated total, then explain restoration, timing and the site assumptions or exclusions that could change it.
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Which site details affect an excavation estimate?
Important details include dimensions, depth, slope, soil or rock information, groundwater, buried utilities or obstructions, equipment access, haul distance, disposal requirements and the restoration expected after excavation.
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How should I show the excavation quantity?
Use the measurement basis that fits the work, such as cubic yards, linear feet, area or hours. Put the unit in the description and show the dimensions or assumptions used to reach the quantity.
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Should hauling and disposal be separate line items?
Separate them when load counts, haul distance or disposal fees change the likely cost. This also makes the estimate easier to revise if the amount of material changes.
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What should I do if site conditions differ from the estimate?
Update the scope, equipment, quantities, hauling, assumptions and likely total. Give the customer the revised estimate before relying on the earlier price for the changed conditions.
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Can a customer accept an excavation estimate online?
Yes. Customers can accept or decline estimates online without a Docelf account. Docelf updates the status and emails you when they respond.
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Can I invoice only part of the excavation work?
Yes. Create an invoice from the estimate, then adjust the copied items and quantities to the work you are billing. Name that stage clearly so the customer can distinguish it from the full estimated job.
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Can I email or download an excavation estimate?
Yes. You can email the estimate from Docelf, print it or download it as a PDF. You can also see when the emailed estimate is delivered and opened.
Ready to Price the Site Work?
Give your customer a clear expected price for the site work before the crew arrives.
- Connect the quantities to the excavation and hauling rates
- Check the automatically calculated estimated total
- Review the estimate, then email it or download a PDF
