Land Clearing Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide for Texas & Nationwide

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of excavation cost per hour in 2026, consolidating pricing data from national cost databases, contractor surveys, equipment rental benchmarks, and regional labor statistics. The goal is to provide practical, defensible hourly cost ranges for excavation work across the United States, with a focused lens on Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, where demand, soil conditions, and labor competition continue to push rates above national norms.

All pricing ranges reflect real-world market conditions, including equipment, operator labor, fuel, insurance, and utilization assumptions commonly used by professional excavation contractors.

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1. Average Excavation Cost Per Hour: National Overview

Across the United States, excavation services priced by the hour typically range from $110 to $325 per hour, including equipment and a certified operator. Rates move higher when projects involve:

• Large or specialized equipment
• Difficult soil conditions (rock, caliche, expansive clay)
• Restricted access or urban utility congestion
• Accelerated schedules or premium labor

Hourly pricing is commonly used for utility trenching, remediation, small-to-mid commercial work, and projects with evolving scope, where per-cubic-yard pricing may introduce unnecessary risk for contractors or owners.

National benchmark (equipment + operator):

• Low end: $110–$150/hr (mini excavators, light residential work)
• Mid-range: $160–$260/hr (standard excavation and site prep)
• High end: $275–$400+/hr (large equipment, rock, commercial sites)

Vegetation Density	National Avg. Cost per Acre	Texas Avg. Cost per Acre	DFW Estimated Mid-Range
Light brush and undergrowth	$1,000 – $2,500	$1,500 – $3,000	$2,250
Medium vegetation with small trees	$2,000 – $4,000	$2,500 – $4,500	$3,500
Heavy forest with mature trees	$4,000 – $7,500	$4,500 – $8,500	$6,500
Very dense wooded lots/challenging terrain	$6,000 – $12,000+	$7,000 – $15,000+	$10,000

2. Excavation Cost Per Hour by Project Type

Different excavation scopes demand different equipment, crew coordination, and risk exposure—directly affecting hourly pricing.

Project Type	Typical Equipment	Avg. Hourly Rate	Typical Duration	Total Cost Range
Residential Foundation	Standard excavator, backhoe	$160 – $260	8–24 hrs	$1,600 – $6,500
Basement Excavation	Large excavator + trucks	$220 – $350	16–40 hrs	$5,500 – $18,000
Pool Excavation	Mini–standard excavator	$130 – $240	4–12 hrs	$1,200 – $5,500
Driveway / Patio	Skid steer, mini excavator	$110 – $190	4–8 hrs	$1,000 – $3,000
Utility Trenching	Backhoe, trencher	$130 – $220	4–16 hrs	$600 – $3,500
Land Grading & Leveling	Dozer, grader	$170 – $325	8–24 hrs	$1,500 – $8,000
Commercial Site Prep	Multiple machines	$225 – $450+	40–200+ hrs	$12,000 – $90,000+

3. Excavation Cost Per Hour by Equipment Type

The table below compares national, Texas, and Dallas–Fort Worth hourly rates, reflecting regional labor pressure and soil complexity.

Equipment Type	National Avg	Texas Avg	DFW Avg	Common Uses
Mini Excavator	$110 – $155	$120 – $175	$130 – $165	Trenching, residential
Standard Excavator	$160 – $260	$185 – $300	$210 – $280	Foundations, site work
Large Excavator	$220 – $375	$260 – $425	$290 – $395	Commercial, deep digs
Backhoe	$110 – $210	$130 – $235	$145 – $215	Utilities, backfill
Bulldozer	$160 – $325	$185 – $375	$215 – $350	Grading, clearing
Skid Steer	$85 – $155	$100 – $175	$110 – $165	Light earthmoving

Why Texas runs higher: caliche layers, expansive clay, strong construction demand, and year-round utilization reduce idle capacity and push rates upward.

4. Excavation Labor Costs: Operator Wages & Crew Rates

Labor remains a major driver of hourly excavation pricing—particularly in metros competing for experienced operators.

Role	National Wage	Texas Wage	DFW Wage
Excavator Operator (Entry)	$21 – $28	$23 – $30	$25 – $33
Excavator Operator (Experienced)	$28 – $38	$30 – $42	$32 – $46
Backhoe Operator	$23 – $32	$26 – $35	$28 – $38
Dozer Operator	$24 – $34	$27 – $37	$29 – $40
Heavy Equipment Operator	$22 – $36	$25 – $39	$27 – $42
Ground Laborer	$19 – $26	$21 – $30	$23 – $33

Key labor trend: Contractors increasingly price senior operators at a premium because higher skill reduces rework, delays, and utility strikes, lowering total project cost even at higher hourly wages.

5. Excavation Hourly Rates: Regional Comparison

Region	Typical Hourly Rate	vs. National Avg	Cost Drivers
National Avg	$110 – $325	Baseline	Mixed conditions
Texas	$180 – $425	+15–30%	Clay, caliche, demand
California	$220 – $475	+30–45%	Labor & regulation
Florida	$130 – $300	+5–10%	Water table, limestone
New York	$190 – $390	+20–30%	Urban density
Colorado	$150 – $330	+10–15%	Rock, seasonality
Georgia	$115 – $280	+5–10%	Red clay
Illinois	$135 – $300	+8–12%	Frost depth
Arizona	$130 – $310	+8–12%	Hardpan, heat
North Carolina	$120 – $285	+5–10%	Growth-driven demand

6. Maximizing Value: Controlling Excavation Hourly Costs

Even in high-cost regions, disciplined planning can materially reduce excavation spend.

Cost-Control Strategies

• Secure 3+ detailed quotes with scope clarity
• Schedule work during non-peak demand periods
• Complete site prep and utility marking in advance
• Bundle excavation tasks to reduce mobilization
• Conduct soil testing before final pricing
• Match equipment size to scope—avoid over-machining
• Reuse clean fill onsite where feasible
• Lock scope early to prevent hourly overruns

Choosing a Land Clearing Contractor in Texas

When selecting an excavation and land clearing company for your Texas project, prioritize contractors who demonstrate:

Essential Qualifications:

• Licensed and insured for excavation work in Texas.

• Minimum 5 years experience with regional vegetation (cedar, mesquite, oak).

• Modern equipment suitable for project scope.

• Knowledge of local permitting requirements.

• References from recent projects in your area.

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Contractors unwilling to provide detailed written estimates.

• Pressure to pay large deposits upfront (standard is 10-25%).

• Lack of proper insurance documentation.

• No established business location or equipment yard.

• Prices significantly below market rates (often indicates inadequate insurance or poor equipment).

Excavation Services in Dallas–Fort Worth

Kitching Co. provides excavation and underground utility services throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, supporting residential, commercial, and municipal projects. With experienced operators, well-maintained equipment, and transparent hourly pricing, the firm delivers excavation work that balances speed, accuracy, and cost control—even in challenging North Texas soil conditions.

Whether the project involves foundations, utility trenching, grading, or large-scale site preparation, Kitching Co. applies disciplined planning and execution to keep excavation predictable and efficient.

Request a detailed excavation estimate tailored to your site conditions, schedule, and scope.

References

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3.HomeGuide. (2025 ). 2025 Land Clearing Costs | Avg. Cost Per Acre. Retrieved from: https://homeguide.com/costs/land-clearing-cost

4.LawnStarter. (2025 ). Pricing Guide: How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land?. Retrieved from: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/cost/clear-land-price/

5.Lawn Love. (2025 ). How Much Does it Cost to Clear Land in 2025?. Retrieved from: https://lawnlove.com/blog/land-clearing-cost/

6.HomeGuide. (2025 ). 2025 Forestry Mulching Prices | Cost Per Hour, Acre & Day. Retrieved from: https://homeguide.com/costs/forestry-mulching-cost

7.Angi. (2025 ). What Does Forestry Mulching Cost? [2025 Data]. Retrieved from: https://www.angi.com/articles/forestry-mulching-cost.htm

8.RJT Construction LLC. (2024 ). How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land in Texas? A Comprehensive Guide. Retrieved from: https://rjt-constructionllc.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-clear-land-in-texas-a-comprehensive-guide/

9.Lone Star Clearing. (2025 ). Land Clearing Prices. Retrieved from: https://bushwackerslandclearing.com/land-clearing-prices/