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Excavation Cost Guide in Northern Colorado
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Excavation and Septic Services Near Larimer County, CO: What They Offer
If you’re planning a project and trying to figure out what excavation work is going to cost, you’re not alone.
Most homeowners and builders we talk to in Fort Collins, Windsor, Severance, Loveland, Berthoud, Wellington, Greeley, Eaton, Timnath, and Longmont are all asking the same thing:
“What should I realistically expect to pay?”
And the honest answer is this.
There is no one-size-fits-all number.
Excavation pricing depends heavily on your land, your soil, your access, and the scope of work. But that doesn’t mean you should go in blind.
Below, we’ve laid out realistic ballpark pricing ranges for common excavation services across:
• Adams County
• Larimer County
• Boulder County
• Weld County
This is designed to give you a clear starting point, so you can plan your project with confidence.
How Can We Help?
What Impacts Excavation Costs in Northern Colorado
Before jumping into numbers, it helps to understand why pricing varies so much.
Here are the biggest factors we see across Northern Colorado:
• Soil conditions (clay, rock, sandy soil all behave differently)
• Slope and elevation (common in Boulder County and parts of Larimer County)
• Access to the site (tight residential lots vs open land)
• Water table and drainage conditions
• Project size and complexity
• Permits and local requirements
For example, a basement dig in Longmont with rocky soil will look very different than a foundation dig in Greeley with softer ground.
Excavation Pricing by Service (Ballpark Estimates)
Below is a breakdown of typical price ranges based on projects across Larimer, Weld, Boulder, and Adams County.
Commercial Excavation Cost
| Project Type | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small commercial site work | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Mid-size commercial excavation | $40,000 – $150,000 |
| Large-scale site development | $150,000 – $500,000+ |
Commercial projects vary widely depending on utilities, grading requirements, and site conditions.
Residential Home Foundation Excavation Cost
| Home Size | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small home (1,000–1,500 sq ft) | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Mid-size home (1,500–2,500 sq ft) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Large home (2,500+ sq ft) | $18,000 – $35,000+ |
Costs increase with depth, soil difficulty, and accessibility.
Basement Excavation Cost
| Basement Type | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Standard basement | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| Walkout basement | $20,000 – $50,000+ |
| Complex / sloped lot | $30,000 – $75,000+ |
Sloped properties often increase costs significantly.
Full Site Preparation Cost
| Project Scope | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Basic lot prep | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Full residential site prep | $20,000 – $60,000 |
| Large or complex prep | $60,000 – $150,000+ |
Includes clearing, grading, and preparing for construction.
Grading & Leveling Cost
| Area Size | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small yard grading | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Medium lot grading | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Large property grading | $15,000 – $40,000+ |
Grading costs depend heavily on how much material needs to be moved.
Dozer Work Cost
| Scope | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Hourly dozer work | $120 – $200 per hour |
| Small project | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Large project | $8,000 – $30,000+ |
Dozer work is often used for land clearing, rough grading, and site prep.
Site Excavation / Site Preparation Cost
| Project Type | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Basic excavation | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Moderate site work | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Full development prep | $50,000 – $150,000+ |
This overlaps with full site prep but can vary depending on scope.
Trenching (General Excavation) Cost
| Type of Trenching | Ballpark Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Utility trenching (short runs) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Medium trenching projects | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Large trenching jobs | $15,000 – $40,000+ |
Pricing depends on depth, length, and soil conditions.
See Our Excavation & Septic Services
✔️ Commercial Excavation
✔️ Residential/Home Foundation Excavation
✔️ Basement Excavation
✔️ Demolition - Smaller Sheds, Barns, Mobile Homes, Single Family Homes
✔️ Demolition -Larger Projects - Strip Malls, Commercial Buildings, Etc
✔️ Large Pond Construction
✔️ Small Pond Construction
✔️ Dozer Work
✔️ Septic Installs Traditional Systems
✔️ Septic Tanks - Plastic/Poly Septic Tanks - Concrete
✔️ Drain Field Replacement
✔️ Grading
✔️ Lot Clearing
✔️ Sewer Repairs
✔️ Camera Inspections
Quality Services Launched FAST!
✔️ Drainage Systems
✔️ Concrete Flatwork - Driveways, Sidewalk, Foundations
✔️ Full Site Preparation Trenching
✔️ Utilities Trenching
✔️ Residential/Commercial Septic
✔️ Home Foundation Excavation
✔️ Commercial Water & Sewer Service - New
✔️ Residential Water & Sewer Service - New
✔️ Commercial Water & Sewer Service - Repair/ Replacement
✔️ Residential Water & Sewer Service - Repair/ Replacement
✔️ Gravel Install - Driveways, Roads, Parking Lots
✔️ Sand & Gravel Hauling
Pricing Differences by County
While the services are similar, pricing can shift slightly depending on location.
Larimer County (Fort Collins, Windsor, Loveland, Wellington, Timnath)
• Moderate pricing overall
• Mix of residential and rural jobs
• Soil conditions vary, but are generally manageable
Weld County (Greeley, Eaton, Severance)
• Often more affordable
• Easier access and flatter land
• Larger lots can reduce per-project costs
Boulder County (Longmont and surrounding areas)
• Higher costs due to terrain and regulations
• Sloped lots and rocky soil increase labor costs
• More permitting requirements
Adams County
• Competitive pricing, but varies by urban vs rural
• Access and congestion can impact cost
Why Two Similar Projects Can Have Very Different Prices
This is where most homeowners get caught off guard.
You might hear:
“My neighbor paid $12,000… why is my quote $25,000?”
Here’s why:
• Your soil could require more digging or equipment
• Your site might need drainage solutions
• Access could slow down the equipment
• Your project might require more prep work
Excavation is one of the most site-specific trades in construction.
What Are You Waiting For?
How to Get an Accurate Excavation Estimate
Ballpark pricing is helpful, but it’s not a quote.
To get a real number, a contractor needs to look at:
• Your site conditions
• Your plans or build scope
• Utility requirements
• Drainage and grading needs
That’s why the most accurate estimates come after a site visit or plan review.
Important Pricing Disclaimer
All prices listed on this page are general estimates based on typical projects in Adams, Larimer, Boulder, and Weld County, Colorado.
Every project is different.
Factors like soil conditions, access, weather, permitting, and project scope can significantly impact final pricing.
The only way to get an exact cost is through a custom estimate based on your specific property and project requirements.
Cities We Commonly Serve
• Fort Collins, CO
• Windsor, CO
• Severance, CO
• Loveland, CO
• Berthoud, CO
• Wellington, CO
• Greeley, CO
• Eaton, CO
• Timnath, CO
• Longmont, CO
Hours: M-F 8AM-5PM
Extended hours by appointment only.
Address: Wellington, Larimer County, CO, 80549, US
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