Earthwork bid estimation — AI calculates volumes for you

An earthwork bid stands or falls on the accuracy of the volume takeoff. Cut and fill volumes are determined by comparing the existing ground surface with the planned grade, either from cross-sections or a terrain model (3D). Because volume is the product of the elevation difference and the area, even a small error in the starting grade can change the total volume by tens of percent over a large area. That is why volumes are calculated per area and per lift, and cut and fill are separated into their own line items.

The soil type decides both the equipment and the price. Excavating normal soil with an excavator typically costs $50–200/CY, whereas rock removal rises to $150–400/CY depending on the rock and the need for blasting. Clay, sand, glacial till and rock require different methods, and groundwater conditions and the excavation depth may require shoring (sheet pile or retaining wall) and dewatering. Soil types must be identified from the geotechnical report already at the estimating stage — a wrong soil assumption is one of the most common reasons for underpricing.

Hauling is often the single largest cost item in an earthwork contract, and it also hides the most important estimating error: swell. When excavated, soil swells, so the loose volume to be hauled is larger than the in-place bank volume. Clay swells by about 25–40 %, glacial till 15–25 % and sand 10–15 %. If hauling is priced on the theoretical bank volume without a swell factor, the haul cost is systematically understated. In addition, the handling of any contaminated soil, disposal fees and the haul distance must be accounted for per soil type.

Massoi calculates cut and fill quantities automatically from the drawings, breaks out the soil types and accounts for swell factors in the haul volumes. With the quantities and haul volumes ready per soil type, the contractor can price excavation, hauling, fill and shoring realistically and compare, for example, the cost of reusing material on site versus hauling it off.