Cut and Fill Cost Calculator

How to Calculate the Cost of Cut and Fill

Once you’ve estimated your cut and fill volumes, the next step in earthwork estimation is determining the cost. Whether you're preparing a bid, budgeting a project, or optimizing a design, understanding how to translate volumes into dollars is essential for any feasibility study.

Step 1: Convert Volumes to Consistent Units

Most contractors price earthwork in cubic yards (CY), while your calculations may be in cubic feet (CF). Convert your volume into cubic yards using this formula:

Conversion:

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet

Example:

If your calculated volume is 13,500 cubic feet:

13,500 ÷ 27 = 500 cubic yards

Step 2: Determine the Unit Cost of Excavation

Excavation pricing varies significantly depending on several factors, including:

• Soil type and conditions (clay, sand, rock)
• Site accessibility
• Haul distance
• Equipment required
• Local labor rates
• Whether material is reused onsite or disposed of offsite

Typical excavation costs in the U.S. range from:

• $2 to $6 per CY for basic cut or fill
• $6 to $15+ per CY for hauling offsite
• $15 to $50+ per CY for rock excavation or confined areas

Always consult local contractors or historical bid data for accurate, location-specific pricing.

Step 3: Calculate Cut and Fill Cost

Use the following formula to determine the total earthwork cost:

Formula:

Total Cost = Volume (CY) × Unit Cost ($/CY)

Example:

If you have 500 CY of cut material and the excavation and hauling cost is $8/CY:

500 × 8 = $4,000

Repeat this step for fill volumes (which may be cheaper if materials are reused on-site).

Step 4: Combine the Total Cost of Cut and Fill

Finally, combine your cut and fill costs to determine your overall earthwork cost.

Formula:

Total Cut and Fill Cost = Cut Cost + Fill Cost

Example:

If your total cut cost is $4,000 and your fill cost is $1,800:

$4,000 + $1,800 = $5,800

Automate Your Cut and Fill Cost Calculation with TestFit

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Grading sites manually can be tedious and prone to errors. Instead of spending hours measuring and recalculating, TestFit helps you instantly determine accurate earthwork volumes.

Using visual cut and fill maps, alongside detailed 2D & 3D topography and built-in soil data, you can quickly see exactly how your land conditions will affect your project.

Estimate Cut and Fill Cost Accurately

One of the trickiest parts of earthwork is estimating costs accurately. With TestFit, you can input your specific cutting, filling, importing, and exporting costs, and the tool automatically generates precise earthwork cost estimates.

Optimize for Cut and Fill with Generative Design

Figuring out the best layout for your site usually involves lots of trial and error, taking up valuable time. TestFit uses generative design to quickly produce multiple site layout options, each tailored to your project’s specific cut-and-fill targets.

Instead of spending hours comparing different configurations manually, you can quickly see which layout gives you the best yield and efficiency. This means you can make faster, more informed decisions about your site's grading and design early on.