Earthwork bid estimation — AI calculates volumes for you
Earthwork bid estimation starts with calculating soil volumes. Massoi reads blueprints and calculates cuts, fills, and hauling volumes automatically — you focus on pricing.
Challenges in earthwork bid estimation
Soil volume estimation is difficult
Cuts and fills are based on ground level differences. Even a small error in elevation multiplies in cubic yards.
Different soil types, different prices
Rock, glacial till, clay, and sand require different equipment and different pricing. Soil type identification significantly affects bid price.
Hauling costs
Soil hauling is often the single largest expense. Swell factor, haul distance, and disposal fees must be estimated precisely.
How does AI-powered earthwork bidding work?
Upload site plans
Upload site plans and cross-sections. Massoi compares existing and proposed grades.
AI calculates volumes
AI calculates cut and fill volumes, accounts for swell factors, and breaks down by soil type.
Add hauling and bid
Review volumes, add unit prices for excavation, hauling, and fill by soil type — submit your bid.
Earthwork price guide 2026
Indicative prices including materials and labor.
| Work | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation (normal soil) | $50-200/CY | With excavator, no blasting |
| Rock removal / blasting | $150-400/CY | Depends on rock quality and blasting needs |
| Soil hauling | $12-30/CY | Depends on haul distance |
| Backfill and compaction | $15-50/CY | With crushed stone, layer-by-layer compaction |
| Trenching | $6-15/lf | Pipe + gravel fill + filter fabric |
| Site grading | $1-3/sqft | Machine grading |
| Topsoil removal | $2-4/sqft | Strip and stockpile |
| Shoring / retaining | $40-120/sqft | Sheet pile or retaining wall |
Try how AI calculates soil volumes from blueprints in seconds.
Frequently asked questions about earthwork bid estimation
How are soil volumes calculated for a bid?
Soil volumes are calculated by comparing the existing ground surface to the planned grade. Cut and fill volumes are calculated from cross-sections or a 3D model. Accurate quantity takeoff is critical, because an error in cubic yards multiplies in hauling costs.
How much does excavation cost per cubic yard?
Excavation in normal soil costs $50-200/CY. Rock removal costs $150-400/CY. Price is affected by soil type, excavation depth, and haul distance.
How is soil swell accounted for?
Soil swells by 10-40% when excavated. Clay swells approximately 25-40%, sand 10-15%, and glacial till 15-25%. Loose volume is greater than bank volume.
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