Loose Volume to Remove
0.00
cubic metres (m³) - after swell
Calculate excavation volumes and soil removal quantities
Accurate calculations for foundations, basements, pools, and trenches. Get instant estimates for truck loads, disposal costs, and swell factors for 2026 projects.
Calculate exact volumes for excavation and earthwork projects
Calculate precise soil removal volumes for foundations, basements, swimming pools, and trenches. Our calculator accounts for excavation dimensions, soil swell factors, and waste allowances to provide accurate estimates for skip bins and truck loads.
Different soil types expand when excavated due to air voids. This soil science calculator includes swell factors from 15% for sand to 40% for heavy clay, ensuring you order sufficient trucks or skip bins for removal.
Get instant estimates for 2026 removal costs including truck loads required, skip bin sizes, and disposal fees. Compare options for on-site reuse versus off-site removal to optimize your excavation budget and project timeline.
Enter excavation dimensions and soil type
A soil removal volume calculator is essential for accurately estimating the quantity of earth to be excavated and disposed of during construction projects. This tool calculates both bank volume (soil in its natural state) and loose volume (after excavation with air voids), accounting for swell factors that vary by soil type. Accurate volume calculations prevent costly under-ordering of removal trucks or over-paying for excessive skip bin capacity in 2026 projects.
Excavation projects require careful planning for soil disposal, whether through truck removal to licensed facilities or on-site reuse for landscaping and fill. The calculator helps contractors determine truck loads, skip bin sizes, and disposal costs while accounting for excavation methodology, soil characteristics, and site access constraints. This basement access ramp calculator complements excavation planning for below-grade construction.
Free-draining granular soils that exhibit minimal volume increase when excavated. Ideal excavation conditions with stable sides in dry weather. Easy to dig, handle, and compact. Bank volume of 1.0 m³ becomes 1.15 m³ loose volume requiring removal or disposal.
Most common soil type for residential excavations with moderate swell characteristics. Contains mixture of sand, silt, and clay with organic matter. Standard digging conditions requiring typical equipment. Bank volume of 1.0 m³ expands to 1.25 m³ loose volume for truck loading calculations.
Dense cohesive soils that swell significantly when broken up during excavation. Difficult digging requiring powerful equipment, especially when wet. Tends to stick to machinery and vehicles. Bank volume of 1.0 m³ becomes 1.35 m³ loose volume, substantially increasing removal costs and truck requirements.
Bank volume measured in ground expands to loose volume when excavated, requiring additional truck capacity for removal.
The critical difference between bank volume and loose volume determines removal costs and logistics. Bank volume represents compacted soil in its natural state, measured by excavation dimensions. When dug, soil particles separate creating air voids that increase total volume by the swell factor percentage. A 100 m³ foundation excavation in clay (35% swell) requires removal capacity for 135 m³, necessitating approximately 14 truck loads at 10 m³ capacity per truck including allowance for heaped loads.
| Removal Method | Cost per m³ | Best For | Minimum Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck and Trailer | $35 - $50 | Large volumes (50m³+) | 1-2 loads minimum |
| 8m³ Skip Bin | $380 - $520 | Medium jobs (5-15m³) | $380 per bin hire |
| 15m³ Skip Bin | $580 - $780 | Larger jobs (10-30m³) | $580 per bin hire |
| Small Truck (6m³) | $280 - $360 | Small volumes or tight access | $280 per load |
| Excavator + Trucks | $150 - $200/hr | Full-service excavation | 4 hour minimum |
Clean Fill: $10-20 per m³ (reusable soil) | General Soil: $25-40 per m³ (standard disposal) | Contaminated Soil: $80-200 per m³ (requires special handling) | On-site Reuse: $0 (if suitable for landscaping)
Manual digging using shovels and picks suitable for small volumes up to 2-3 m³ or areas with restricted machinery access. Labor-intensive but provides precise control for service locations, garden beds, or heritage sites. Productivity averages 0.5-1.0 m³ per worker per day in normal soil conditions. Cost-effective only for very small projects or where machinery cannot access the site.
Compact tracked excavators ideal for residential projects, backyard pools, and confined spaces. Can fit through standard gates (800-900mm width) and operate in areas inaccessible to larger equipment. Dig depth typically 2.0-2.8m depending on model. Productivity 8-15 m³ per hour in favorable conditions. This brick quantity calculator helps with related construction calculations. Hire costs $280-450 per day in 2026 including operator.
Versatile mid-size excavators for most commercial and larger residential excavations. Reach depths of 3.5-4.5m with bucket capacities of 0.3-0.5 m³. Productivity 15-30 m³ per hour depending on soil type and load distance. Requires 3.0m width access and stable ground conditions. Operator hire rates $120-180 per hour including fuel for 2026 projects.
Heavy machinery for major commercial excavations, large basements, and bulk earthworks. Dig depths exceeding 6.0m with bucket capacities up to 1.5 m³. Productivity 40-80 m³ per hour in optimal conditions. Requires wide site access, reinforced haul roads, and experienced operators. Typically deployed for projects exceeding 500 m³ excavation volume.
Service Location: Call "Dial Before You Dig" (1100) to identify underground utilities before excavation. | Shoring Requirements: Excavations deeper than 1.5m require shoring or battering for worker safety. | Disposal Regulations: Check local council requirements for soil disposal and environmental testing for potential contamination.
Typical residential footings require 300-600mm wide trenches at 400-1200mm depth around building perimeter. A standard 150m² house foundation excavates approximately 20-35 m³ bank volume, becoming 25-45 m³ loose volume requiring 3-5 truck loads for removal depending on soil type and over-dig allowances.
Full basement excavations generate substantial volumes requiring careful planning. A 100m² basement at 2.8m depth excavates 280 m³ bank volume, expanding to 350+ m³ loose clay soil requiring 35+ truck loads. Consider on-site screening and reuse for landscaping to reduce disposal costs significantly.
Standard 8m × 4m residential pool at 1.8m average depth removes approximately 60 m³ bank volume. With typical clay soil (35% swell), this becomes 81 m³ loose requiring 8-9 truck loads. Access for removal trucks critical - plan route avoiding damage to driveways and landscaping during multiple truck movements.
On-site soil reuse significantly reduces project costs and environmental impact in 2026. Clean excavated soil can be stockpiled for later use in garden beds, lawn establishment, or site leveling, eliminating disposal fees and reducing truck movements. Segregate topsoil from subsoil during excavation - topsoil (top 150-300mm) contains valuable organic matter and nutrients ideal for landscaping, while subsoil suits structural fill applications.
Topsoil Stockpiling: Reserve for final landscaping, typically 100-150mm depth for lawn areas. | Fill Material: Use subsoil for site leveling, filling low areas, or raising ground levels where appropriate. | Retaining Walls: Backfill behind retaining structures using excavated material, properly compacted in layers. | Local Fill Wanted: Advertise clean fill on community sites - many local projects seek free fill material, avoiding your disposal costs entirely.
Industrial sites, former fuel stations, and older residential properties may contain contaminated soil requiring specialized handling and disposal. Environmental testing identifies contaminants including hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or asbestos. Contaminated soil disposal costs $80-200+ per m³ at licensed facilities versus $25-40 per m³ for clean soil. Early site investigation prevents costly surprises during excavation work. This acoustic insulation calculator addresses other construction specifications.
Soil removal costs average $35-50 per m³ for large volumes using truck and trailer removal, or $50-70 per m³ for small volumes using skip bins when factoring hire costs. Disposal fees add $10-40 per m³ depending on soil classification and disposal facility. Total costs typically range $45-90 per m³ inclusive of excavation, loading, transport, and disposal. Contaminated soil requiring special handling costs $80-200+ per m³. Prices vary significantly by region, with metropolitan areas 20-40% higher than regional locations. Volume discounts apply for projects exceeding 100 m³ excavation.
Soil swell factor represents the volume increase when compacted ground is excavated and loosened. Soil in natural state contains minimal air voids, but excavation separates particles creating spaces that increase total volume. Sand swells 15%, loam 25%, clay 35% or more. This matters critically for removal logistics - a 100 m³ foundation in clay requires truck capacity for 135 m³, not 100 m³. Under-estimating swell factor leads to insufficient trucks, project delays, and additional call-out fees. Always calculate loose volume (bank volume × swell factor) when ordering removal services to avoid costly shortfalls.
Standard truck and trailer combinations carry 10-12 m³ of loose soil per load. Calculate: (Bank Volume × Swell Factor) ÷ Truck Capacity = Number of Loads. For example, 80 m³ foundation in loam: 80 × 1.25 = 100 m³ loose, requiring 10 loads at 10 m³ capacity. Add 10% buffer for heaping variations and traffic delays. Smaller 6m³ trucks suit tight access but require double the trips. Skip bins offer alternative for projects under 30 m³ - 8m³ bins for small jobs, 15m³ bins for medium volumes. Consider continuous truck rotation for large excavations to prevent machinery downtime waiting for return trips.
Yes, clean excavated soil can be reused for multiple purposes on residential properties. Topsoil (upper 150-300mm containing organic matter) is valuable for garden beds, lawn establishment, and landscaping areas. Subsoil from deeper excavation suits filling low areas, building up garden beds, or creating level areas for sheds and paths. Ensure proper compaction in 150mm layers when using as structural fill. Cannot reuse contaminated soil or soil containing building rubble, tree roots, or weed seeds without proper treatment. Check local council regulations regarding site grading changes and fill import/export requirements before large-scale reuse projects. On-site reuse eliminates disposal costs averaging $25-40 per m³.
Most jurisdictions require shoring or battering for excavations exceeding 1.5m depth where workers will enter. Shoring uses steel or aluminum trench boxes preventing collapse. Battering involves sloping excavation sides at safe angles - typically 45° (1 vertical : 1 horizontal) for stable soils, 60° or flatter for clay or loose materials. Battering significantly increases excavation volume - a 1.8m deep × 10m long trench increases from 5.4 m³ vertical to approximately 8 m³ with batters. Consider shoring cost versus extra excavation and backfill when planning deeper excavations. Never allow workers in unprotected excavations over 1.5m depth regardless of soil type - fatal collapses occur in all soil conditions.
Calculate average pool dimensions accounting for depth variation. For typical pool graduating from 1.2m shallow to 2.4m deep end, use average depth of 1.8m. Multiply Length × Width × Average Depth = Bank Volume. Add over-dig allowance (typically 300-500mm each side plus 200mm deeper for concrete base) increasing volume by approximately 25%. Apply soil swell factor to calculate loose volume for removal. Example: 8m × 4m × 1.8m = 57.6 m³ + 25% over-dig = 72 m³ bank. In loam (25% swell) = 90 m³ loose requiring 9 truck loads. Account for additional spoil from surrounding deck areas, equipment pits, and pipe trenches which can add 15-20% to total excavation volume.
Bank volume measures soil in its natural compacted state within the ground, calculated directly from excavation dimensions (length × width × depth). Loose volume measures the same soil after excavation when particles are separated with air voids, requiring more space for transport. The difference is the swell factor expressed as percentage or multiplier. Bank volume determines excavation work and in-ground calculations. Loose volume determines truck requirements and removal costs. Always specify which measurement when ordering removal services - quoting bank volume to trucking company causes insufficient capacity and additional charges. Professional earthworks quote both measurements: "80 m³ bank / 100 m³ loose" prevents confusion and ensures adequate removal capacity is scheduled.
Skip bins suit small-medium projects under 30 m³ with flexible timelines, providing on-site storage for gradual filling over 5-7 days. Costs $380-520 for 8m³, $580-780 for 15m³ including delivery, hire, and disposal. Trucks suit larger projects requiring immediate removal, offering better value above 30 m³ at $35-50 per m³ for continuous removal during excavation day. Skip bins advantage: no site access needed during filling, suits DIY projects, accommodates mixed waste. Truck advantage: faster site clearance, better rates for large volumes, removes material immediately preventing stockpile issues. Consider access constraints - skip bins require overhead clearance for truck lift mechanism, removal trucks need adjacent vehicle access for loading. For very large projects over 100 m³, negotiate truck rates for dedicated service.
Professional body providing soil classification guidance, testing standards, and educational resources for understanding soil behavior and engineering properties.
Visit Resource →Free national service identifying underground infrastructure before excavation. Mandatory notification preventing service damage and ensuring worker safety across Australia.
Contact DBYD →Workplace safety requirements for excavation works including shoring, battering, edge protection, and worker safety protocols compliant with 2026 regulations.
View Guidelines →