Cubic yards to remove, truck loads & haul-off cost
Enter the pit, trench, or pool dimensions and the calculator returns the volume in cubic feet, bank cubic yards (in-place soil), and loose cubic yards after the soil swells during digging. It then divides by your truck capacity to give truck loads and multiplies by the per-load haul-off price for a removal cost estimate. If you need backfill, keep in mind compacted backfill takes about 10–20% more volume than the hole it came from.
Excavating a 30 ft × 20 ft pool shell 5 ft deep: 3,000 ft³ = 111 BCY. With 25% swell that's 139 loose yards — 10 fifteen-yard truck loads. At $150/load, haul-off costs $1,500, plus machine time and disposal tipping fees.
What is a swell factor? Soil occupies more volume loose than in the ground. Common earth swells about 25%, clay 35%, blasted rock 40–50%. Truck counts must use loose yards.
How many cubic yards are in a dump truck? Small dumps carry 10 yd³, standard single-axle/tandem dumps 12–16 yd³, tri-axles up to 20, and semi end-dumps 24–28.
How much does excavation cost? Machine excavation typically runs $50–$200 per hour or $1–$5 per bank cubic yard depending on access and soil; haul-off and disposal add $15–$60 per loose yard in many markets.
Do I need to keep soil for backfill? Yes — stockpile clean topsoil and suitable backfill on site. Hauling it away and buying it back can double your cost.