Site Leveling Cost Calculator

Calculator Inputs

Unit System (switches labels)

Select units, then calculate to see results.

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Average Cut Depth (in)

Material removed from high spots.

Average Fill Depth (in)

Material added to low spots.

Slope (%)

Higher slopes reduce productivity.

Access Difficulty

Tight access increases estimated hours.

Swell Factor (%)

Excavated soil expands when loosened.

Shrink / Waste (%)

Losses from handling, trimming, and settle-in.

Compaction Add (%)

Extra loose fill needed to reach compacted level.

Excavation Rate ($ per yd³)

Fill Delivered Rate ($ per yd³)

Used only for imported volume.

Disposal / Haul Rate ($ per yd³)

Used only for exported volume.

Productivity (yd³/hr)

Higher numbers reduce equipment hours.

Labor Rate ($/hr)

Equipment Rate ($/hr)

Mobilization ($ flat)

Finishing / Cleanup ($ flat)

Contingency (%)

Markup (%)

Tax (%)

A sample scenario for a small garden leveling job.

Input	Value	Unit	Notes
Length	20	ft	Rectangular area
Width	10	ft	Rectangular area
Cut depth	2	in	Remove from high spots
Fill depth	2	in	Add to low spots
Swell / Shrink	20 / 10	%	Loose conversion and waste
Excavation rate	$18	per yd³	Typical local pricing
Fill rate	$28	per yd³	Delivered fill material
Equipment rate	$55	per hr	Skid-steer or mini loader

Area: A = L × W
Cut (in-place): Vc = A × d_cut
Fill (compacted): Vf = A × d_fill
Loose cut: Vc_loose = Vc × (1 + swell%)
Loose fill needed: Vf_loose = Vf × (1 + compaction%) ÷ (1 − shrink%)
Import: max(0, Vf_loose − Vc_loose)
Export: max(0, Vc_loose − Vf_loose)
Hours: max(2, max(Vc_loose, Vf_loose) ÷ productivity × slope × access)
Total cost: excavation + import + disposal + labor + equipment + add-ons + contingency + markup + tax