Nationally, HomeGuide's 2026 figures show excavation at $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard, and $1,100 to $5,600 for most projects. Around San Antonio, the split is rock versus clay: caliche and limestone north of Loop 1604 slow every cut, while the black clay south and east digs fast but is heavy to haul when wet.
All prices on this page are national ranges from HomeGuide, not quotes from us. In San Antonio, limestone, caliche, black clay, access and haul distance decide where a job really lands. Figures checked in October 2026.
How much does excavation cost in San Antonio?
Most home excavation projects fall between $1,100 and $5,600 using HomeGuide's national figures. The national average is $3,500, the low end is about $500 and large jobs reach $20,000. HomeGuide has no San Antonio figure, and we will not invent one. Rock, soil volume, machine access and whether the spoil leaves the lot set the real price.
| Job | HomeGuide national range |
|---|---|
| Building pad for a new home | $1,500 to $10,000 |
| Excavating around an existing house | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Driveway, patio or deck pad | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Removing a hillside or slope | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Rock or ledge removal | $1,000 to $20,000+ |
| Trench for sewer, septic or drainage | $500 to $1,200 |
What does excavation cost per cubic yard?
By the cubic yard, excavation costs $2.50 to $15.00 nationally with labor and equipment, per HomeGuide. Light soil is $2.50 to $6.00, average soil $6.00 to $10.00, and heavy or wet soil or loose rock $10.00 to $15.00. Rock that must be broken with a hammer jumps to $50 to $200 or more, and that is the line Stone Oak, Helotes and Boerne lots often land on.
Can excavation be priced per square foot or per acre?
It can. HomeGuide lists $1 to $5 per square foot for shallow digging and $1,000 to $3,000 per acre for open land. Most San Antonio excavators still price by the cubic yard or the whole job, because a few inches of caliche under the topsoil can double the work on the same area.
How much does an excavator operator charge per hour?
HomeGuide's national rate for an operator with an excavator, backhoe or skid steer is $100 to $300 per hour, and $50 to $150 per hour for an operator alone. A minimum of one day, or eight hours, is common, since hauling the machine to the site costs the same whether it works one hour or eight.
What is the cost of an excavator and operator for one day?
Using HomeGuide's $100 to $300 hourly figure, one eight-hour day of machine and operator works out to roughly $800 to $2,400. A mini excavator with no operator rents for $200 to $700 a day, or $800 to $1,700 a week. Renting only makes sense if you can run it and you know the ground, because a rented machine will not break limestone.
How much is a mini excavator job?
A mini excavator job is billed like a larger one, at $100 to $300 per hour by HomeGuide's figures, usually with a day minimum. Minis fit through side yards and gates in older neighborhoods like Alamo Heights and Leon Valley, but in rock they need a small breaker and move slowly.
Do excavators have a minimum charge?
Most do. HomeGuide notes that many contractors set minimum project fees of $500 to $800, because loading, hauling and unloading the machine takes the same time on any job.
What does a small yard dig cost?
HomeGuide puts small backyard digs for landscaping at $500 to $1,000, and bigger yard projects for drainage, pipes or erosion control at up to $5,000. On the north side, a shallow layer of caliche under the lawn is the usual reason a small job costs more than expected.
What does hauling dirt away cost?
HomeGuide's dirt removal page lists $140 to $230 per cubic yard, or $1,400 to $2,300 per dump truck load, to haul dirt off. Rocky dirt is $175 to $265 per cubic yard and wet dirt $210 to $300, since both weigh more. Landfill fees for loads you deliver yourself run $30 to $50 per ton.
Does my quote include hauling the dirt off?
Ask, because it varies. Some quotes include haul-off, some spread the spoil on the lot, and some list hauling as a separate line. On rocky lots, broken limestone can sometimes be reused as fill or base on the same property, which can cut the hauling bill.
How much does fill dirt cost delivered?
HomeGuide lists fill dirt at $5 to $25 per cubic yard and topsoil at $10 to $50, with a 10 to 15 yard bulk load at $150 to $600, delivery at $50 to $150 a trip and spreading at $200 to $400. For fill under a slab on San Antonio clay, the engineer may require select fill instead.
Why are my excavation quotes so far apart?
Quotes that look far apart usually price different assumptions. One contractor may have allowed for rock, haul-off and erosion control, while another left those out or plans to charge extra later. Ask each one how they priced rock and caliche, where the spoil goes, what fill comes in, and who pulls permits.
Hourly or fixed price: which is better?
A fixed price works best when the scope and the ground are known. Hourly billing can be fair for a small or uncertain job, such as hunting for a leak. On north side lots where rock is likely, a fixed price for the soil plus a written rate for rock is a fair way to split the risk.
To get a number for your own site, have us walk it first; the price comes in a written quote. Call or text (210) 796-2675.