Enter your dig dimensions, pick the material and get an estimate of load requirements.
Assumes ~20% bulking and 1.5 t/m³ once dug — typical for topsoil.
Assumes 13 m³ / 16 t capacity — the most common site vehicle.
Set automatically from your material — change if it's contaminated.
Both are typical UK placeholder rates — swap in your own quote when you have it.
Planning estimate only. Bulking, density, vehicle payloads and gate fees vary by supplier and ground conditions — confirm before ordering trucks.
This calculator helps you estimate excavation and site clearance costs by considering material volume, material type, bulking factors, vehicle capacity, and disposal rates. Simply enter your dig dimensions (or direct volume), select the material type, and we'll calculate the number of truck loads needed and total cost.
Topsoil: Ideal for landscaping and gardens. Typically bulks by ~20% when excavated and weighs around 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre. Relatively easy to handle and has good resale value.
Clay: Heavy and compacted material found in many building sites. Bulks approximately 25% and is dense at 1.9 t/m³. Often limited by weight rather than volume due to vehicle payload constraints.
Sand & Gravel: Ideal fill material with minimal bulking (~15%). Weighs around 1.8 t/m³. Good for drainage and compaction in construction projects.
Chalk: Breaks up significantly when excavated, bulking by ~35%. Dense at 1.9 t/m³. Common in southern England and requires careful handling.
Rock: The most expansive material with ~50% bulking factor. Weighs 2.2 t/m³. Requires specialist disposal facilities and higher gate fees.
Made Ground: Mixed fill and hardcore from demolition. Bulks ~25% and weighs 1.8 t/m³. Classified as non-hazardous waste. Requires proper waste transfer notes and licensed disposal.
Bulking refers to the expansion of material when it's excavated. Compact soil in the ground takes up less space than the same material once dug up and loosened. For example, clay can increase in volume by 25% after excavation due to air pockets being introduced. This is why a 10m³ excavation of clay becomes approximately 12.5m³ of loose material — affecting how many truck loads you'll need.
Trucks are limited by both volume (m³) and payload (tonnes). The calculator uses whichever is the limiting factor — if your material is dense and heavy, you might reach the weight limit before filling the volume. If material is light and fluffy, volume will be the limiting factor.
Typical 8-wheel tipper trucks carry 16-18 tonnes and 18-20m³. Smaller vehicles may carry 10 tonnes and 10m³. Always confirm vehicle specifications with your haulage contractor before ordering.
Gate fees are charged per tonne at the disposal site. Standard inert materials (soil, sand, gravel) typically cost £15-25/t. Non-hazardous waste (made ground, mixed fill) ranges £40-70/t. Hazardous waste disposal can exceed £100/t. The calculator includes these in the total cost estimate.
Haulage rates vary by distance and location — typically £40-80 per load locally. Always get quotes from multiple contractors for the best pricing.
You can specify what percentage of spoil leaves the site. This accounts for material that might be used onsite for backfill, landscaping, or left for future use. If 100% must leave, all material is counted. If 50% stays, only half incurs haulage and disposal costs.
Enter the number of truck loads your site can accommodate per day to get an estimate of how many days the excavation will take. This helps with site logistics, traffic management, and ensuring you have appropriate environmental controls in place. Most residential areas limit 5-8 loads per day; commercial sites can handle 15-30+ depending on access.
Q: Why is my estimate showing "limited by weight"?
A: Your material is heavier than the truck can carry in volume. Clay and rock commonly hit weight limits before volume limits. The truck will be full before it reaches maximum volume.
Q: Should I increase the bulking percentage?
A: Only if ground conditions are unusually wet, frozen, or heavily contaminated. Default values assume typical conditions. If unsure, use slightly higher values for safety.
Q: Do I need waste transfer documents?
A: Yes, for any non-inert waste. Hazardous waste requires environmental permits. Always consult your local authority and waste contractor about regulatory requirements.
Q: Can spoil be reused on site?
A: Often yes. Adjust the "% leaving site" to reflect material being kept for backfill, landscaping, or temporary storage. This significantly reduces costs.
If you need professional waste management, site clearance, or excavation services, our marketplace connects you with licensed contractors in your area. Get competitive quotes instantly.
