How To Run A Trenching Service Florida

Updated March 25, 2022

Written by HomeAdvisor.

*all above costs based on 100 linear feet

Trenching Price

Average cost to dig a trench ranges from $4 to $12 per linear foot

The average cost to dig 100 linear anxiety of trench is $800. Less expensive projects can run as little every bit $400 while more expensive ones are about $one,200. The payout per linear foot can range between $4 and $12.

Trenches are used to place utilities underground, install lawn sprinklers or devise a drainage system on your property. Conduit, using 1/2-inch non-metallic PVC pipe, adds near $0.25 per foot. Copper, the most common cloth for h2o lines, can add between $ten and $20 per foot. The average price per foot of sewer line ranges from $l to $250. Gas line, using ane-inch polyethylene piping, adds $0.66 per foot.

Trenches, usually deeper than they are broad, play a large part in the structure and maintenance of infrastructure. In addition to utilities, these ditches are used in constructing retaining walls.

There are a few things to do before digging:

Check to come across if any city or county permits are necessary. Permits typically cost between $500 to $2,000.
Homeowners should also bank check for existing utility lines before putting a shovel in the basis. Hire a land surveyor to do that for between $200 to $800.
You may demand to articulate the site of landscaping or trees. The average toll to remove a tree is $650, but information technology tin range between $75 to $1,500.

Boilerplate Trenching Costs

Average Toll	$800
High Price	$1,200
Low Cost	$400

Digging a trench amounts to an boilerplate of $8 per linear foot, including equipment and labor. Doing it yourself eliminates labor and puts the price at an average of $2.25 per linear foot.

**Costs Per Linear Foot to Build a Trench**
Equipment (Trencher)	$1.75 – $2.50
Labor*	$2.25 – $ix.50
Total Per Linear Foot	$four – $12
Total Per 100 Linear Feet	$400 – $1,200

*Labor rate includes support materials and cleanup.

Trenching Cost Factors

Most trenches are 24 inches deep and 8 inches wide. Size volition exist the biggest cost gene if permits, a state survey and site clearing aren't necessary.

Labor Costs to Dig a Trench

The boilerplate rate per linear foot of labor is $v.75. The price includes the piece of work as well as back up materials.

Material

Support materials can include:

Sheets of plywood to shore upward trench walls: 2x4 feet for $17
Diaphragm mitt pump to remove h2o that may enter: $90
Flagging tape to mark site: 600 feet for $5

Earthworks 100 linear feet in soil that doesn't have rocks will cost $575 and accept well-nigh half a day. The work consists of planning the ditch, preparing and protecting the site, getting the needed materials and equipment and cleaning upward the site.

Equipment

Smaller jobs require different tools than more laborious projects. Trenching rental equipment rental starts at around $100 per day for a micro-trencher. Other common equipment includes:

Drainage spades
Trenching hoes
Trenching shovels
Walk-backside trenchers
Ride-on trenchers
Special-purpose trenchers

Permits

While costs vary widely across the country, average trenching permits price betwixt $500 to $ii,000.

Consult with a Landscaper to Dig a Trench

Micro Trenching Cost Calculator

Micro-trenching is about $35 per linear human foot. This creates a space for cobweb and conduit that'south simply about 1 pes deep and less than 3/4 inch wide. Any land or lawn scars left behind are less noticeable.

The average price of renting a micro-trencher is $125 per day. The toll varies based on how long it's needed. Yous may too demand to pay a deposit.

Trench & Conduit Installation Cost Estimates

Homeowners dig trenches to install utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewer, cable) underground, provide for drainage and form the basis for foundation. The size of the ditch and the blazon of conduit used depend on the type of project.

Hire a licensed professional for most ditch projects, especially when utilities are being installed. Spend a little more money upfront to avoid futurity spending on repairs. Well-nigh contractors will dig the trench for the system they're installing.

**Costs for Projects Requiring a Yard Trench**
Project	Cost Range Per Lot*	DIY vs. Hire a Pro
Drainage	$1,900 – $5,100	Either
Electrical	$600 – $two,100	Hire a Pro
Water	$600 – $ii,400	Hire a Pro
Sewer	$ane,400 – $four,600	Hire a pro if not completed past city/county
Gas	$300 – $800	Hire a Pro
HVAC	$three,800 – $seven,200	Rent a Pro
Foundations	$4,300 – $13,300	Hire a Pro
Retaining Walls	$2,900 – $7,800	Either

*Includes labor, equipment, support materials and cleanup.

Hush-hush Utilities Conduit Installation Cost Per Pes

The toll to install conduit for utilities costs an average of $8 per foot, which includes equipment, labor, trenching and installation of the utility. There are different kinds of conduit, simply PVC is generally the cheapest. One-half-inch non-metallic PVC pipe adds about $0.25 per foot.

**Trench and Conduit Costs by Textile Type**
Blazon of Line	Added Cost Per Linear Human foot	Total Per Linear Foot, including $8 avg installation
1/2-inch not-metallic PVC pipe	$0.25	$eight.25
Copper for water	$10 – $20	$18 – $28
iv-inch PVC for sewer	$1	$9
1-inch polyethylene for gas	$0.66	$8.66
2-inch black steel pipe for HVAC	$12	$20

The kinds of wiring that usually go into conduit are thermoplastic high-heat resistant nylon-coated wire and thermoplastic estrus- and water-resistant nylon-coated wire. The blazon of wiring and conduit used may touch the installation depth.

Digging Drainage Trench

Installing a drainage organization, one of the main reasons for digging a trench, costs between $ane,900 to $v,100. These are ideal for driveways or other stretches of pavement.

An exterior French drain amounts to an average of $20 to $30 per linear foot. An interior organization is an average of $45 to $threescore per linear foot. A French drain uses gravity, gravel and a perforated piping to direct water away from the home.

A trench or channel driveway drainage systems costs an average of $70 per linear foot. This system works quickly using a flush grate surface in the ditch.

Electrical Trenching Costs

Installing electric wiring or a panel usually costs between $600 and $2,100. The size and layout of the belongings may touch on the total. Fifty-fifty if it'south a smaller job, err on the side of caution and hire a licensed electrician at $l to $100 per hr.

Several habitation projects crave electrical trenching:

Surveillance camera: Installing a security system is priced at virtually $1,400.
Indoor/outdoor outlet: Homeowners pay an average of $200 to install or supercede electrical and ground-mistake excursion interrupters. Take additional precautions for outdoor outlets past investing in covers that protect from exposure to water.
Lighting: The average toll to install a lighting fixture is $460.
Swimming pool/hot tub: Install an inground swimming puddle for a toll of about $48,500. A typical turn-cardinal pool packet includes the electrical system needed. In-ground hot tubs cost between $fifteen,000 to $xx,000, including the digging and electric and plumbing work.

H2o Line Trenching

Almost homeowners spend to install a water main betwixt $600 to $ii,400. Hire a licensed professional plumber to practice the work from the beginning to avoid paying the latter. Regional temperatures may affect the type of pipe yous can use. The usually-used copper adds $10 to $twenty to the price per linear pes.

Other projects that require this include:

Well work: Drilling or digging a well can cost $1,500 to $12,000. The average price is $v,500. The number will vary based on the type of pump, but about homeowners spend $1,550 to install or replace a well pump. Repairing a well pump runs nigh $800.
Sprinkler system: The average cost to install a sprinkler organization is $two,500. Have a professional check for existing pipes and wires before digging and putting in pipes.
Pond pool/hot tub:
- Swimming puddle: Approximately $48,500.
- Hot tub: Between $15,000 to $xx,000.
H2o heater: The cost to install a water heater runs most homeowners between $800 to $1,400. Invest in an expansion tank to avoid having pipes outburst. Repairing a h2o main costs on the high stop $3,000 and about $300 on the low end.

Sewer Line

Installing a sewer principal costs well-nigh homeowners between $1,400 to $four,600. The type of housing may touch ultimate costs, permits, proximity to connector line or obstacles in landscaping. Permits and regulations are a factor in any sewer-related project. If a urban center or canton isn't responsible for installing sewer lines, rent a professional.

4-inch PVC pipe adds approximately $one to the price per linear pes. Plastic pipe ties easily into older systems.

Gas & HVAC Pipage

Near homeowners pay to install or repair gas pipes between $300 to $800. The kind of gas used and the appliance to which the line connects volition decide the type of pipe.

The price range of a geothermal heating or cooling organization is $3,500 to $12,800. Insulate and waterproof the lines. HVAC systems often use black steel pipe. Two-inch black steel pipe adds about $12 to the toll per linear foot.

There are 3 types of configurations for the geothermal system: horizontal, vertical and swimming. The trench for a pond configuration will be about $10 to $20 per linear human foot.

Excavating for Foundation Footings

The typical charge for an excavation and grading job is between $1,350 to $iv,550. Seasonal weather condition may touch the workflow.

The price of a foundation projection ranges from $4,300 to $13,300. What it's made of can increase or decrease that number. For example, a monolithic physical slab is almost $4 per square foot, but basement foundation is about $xviii per square foot.

Retaining Walls

Certain types of retaining walls need trenches. The toll of installing a retaining wall runs most homeowners between $two,900 to $7,800 and includes the trenching needed.

Consult with a Pro to install utilities in your thou

DIY vs. Hiring Trenching Services

Excavation an average trench that's 24 inches deep and eight inches wide can be a DIY task. A licensed professional should install the utilities.

DIY Trench Earthworks Equipment Rental

The cost of renting trench-digging equipment depends on for how long you demand it and the type of trencher. Some companies also ask for a deposit.

Hire a micro-trencher for most $125 per day and an 18-inch ane for almost $xc per day. Shovels and spades for smaller jobs range from $12 to $100.

Benefits of Hiring Local Professionals

If yous want the job done right the first time and yous've got the money, go with a professional person. DIY may save you coin in the curt term, but if you have lilliputian to no feel, prepare for costs associated with repairs.

FAQs

How long does it take to dig a ditch?

It takes almost 12 hours to dig 100 linear feet of trench. Measure the number of linear feet you need to dig and multiply that past 0.12 for an approximate labor menstruation.

How deep should your trench be dug?

The depth needed will depend on its purpose. The average trench is 24 inches deep and 8 inches wide. A micro trench is about i pes deep and less than ¾ inch wide.

How exercise you lot dig a trench?

Acquire the proper equipment.
Note existing (if whatsoever) utilities.
Marking the path of your ditch.
Utilise a flat shovel to cut clean lines in the sod.
Utilise a shovel to remove the dirt.
Put the clay and sod aside until the utilities are in identify.
After installing the pipes, fill it dorsum up with the dirt that'south been set aside.
Press the sod dorsum into identify.

Hire a Pro to Dig a Trench