How Michigan Contractors Can Calculate the True Cost of Hauling Unscreened Excavated Soil Off Site
Excavation can produce far more soil than a construction site can use immediately. When that material contains rocks, roots, clay, sand, debris, or other unwanted material, contractors may decide that hauling it off site is the simplest option. However, the trucking and disposal invoice represents only part of the actual cost. For Michigan contractors, the true cost of removing unscreened excavated soil can include loading, transportation, dump fees, equipment time, labor, replacement material, site access, scheduling delays, and additional handling. These costs can become significant on larger excavation, grading, land development, and site preparation projects. Mobile material screening in Michigan can provide another option when a portion of the excavated material may be suitable for processing and reuse on the project. Before arranging multiple truckloads, contractors should calculate the full cost of removal and compare it with alternatives such as processing usable material on the project site. Start With the Actual Volume of Excavated Soil The first step is determining how much material needs to leave the site. A basic volume calculation uses: Length × Width × Depth = Cubic Feet Divide the result by 27 to convert cubic feet into cubic yards. For example, if excavation produces an area measuring 100 feet by 50 feet with an average excavation depth of 2 feet: 100 × 50 × 2 = 10,000 cubic feet 10,000 ÷ 27 = approximately 370 cubic yards That 370 cubic yards is the theoretical excavation volume. The actual volume requiring transportation can change because excavated soil expands after being removed from its natural state. Contractors should account for the characteristics of the material and the assumptions used in the project estimate. A small difference in volume can have a major effect on trucking requirements. If one truck carries approximately 10 to 15 cubic yards, hundreds of cubic yards can translate into dozens of individual loads. Calculate the Number of Truckloads Once the estimated volume is established, determine the number of truckloads required. For example, assume a project produces 400 cubic yards of loose excavated material and the selected truck configuration can legally carry an average of 12 cubic yards per load. 400 ÷ 12 = 33.3 loads The contractor should plan for approximately 34 loads. That number should then be multiplied by the cost associated with each load. But this is where many project estimates stop too early. The trucking rate is not necessarily the total removal cost. Include Loading and Equipment Costs Excavated soil does not move itself. A loader, excavator, skid steer, or other piece of equipment may be required to move material from a stockpile or excavation area into trucks. The contractor should account for the equipment and operator time associated with loading. Consider: If trucks arrive before the material is ready to load, the contractor may also incur waiting time or inefficient equipment utilization. On a busy construction site, equipment that spends hours loading trucks is equipment that cannot perform another productive task. Add Trucking Costs Transportation is often the most visible part of the soil removal expense. The cost can depend on: A nearby disposal location can produce a very different project cost than a facility located significantly farther away. For example, a 10-mile haul and a 30-mile haul may involve the same amount of soil, but the longer route can reduce the number of trips a truck completes during a workday. That can increase the number of trucks needed to maintain the project schedule. Contractors should therefore evaluate trucking based on the entire cycle time, not just the mileage. Factor in Dump and Disposal Charges Disposal fees are another major component. Different facilities may have different acceptance requirements and charges for soil. Unscreened excavated material may also have different handling requirements from clean, processed material. Before scheduling removal, confirm: A low trucking rate does not necessarily mean the overall disposal option is economical. The contractor should calculate transportation and disposal together. Do Not Forget Labor and Site Handling Soil removal involves more than the driver and truck. Site crews may need to: Each additional handling step adds labor and equipment time. If material must be moved several times before reaching a truck, the project may be paying for the same soil to be handled repeatedly. This is particularly important when a job has limited staging space. Calculate the Cost of Replacement Material This is one of the most overlooked costs of hauling excavated soil away. Removing soil creates an empty volume. If the project still needs suitable material for grading, backfilling, landscaping, or other work, replacement material may have to be purchased and delivered. The calculation then becomes: Removal cost + disposal cost + replacement material cost + replacement delivery cost For example, suppose a contractor removes 300 cubic yards of excavated material. Later, the project requires 200 cubic yards of suitable material for grading. The contractor may pay for: This can create a significant material-handling loop. Before removing usable material, contractors should determine whether part of the excavated soil can be processed and reused. Compare Hauling With Mobile Material Screening This is where mobile material screening in Michigan can become a useful alternative. Instead of automatically sending an entire stockpile off site, a contractor can evaluate whether the material can be processed at the project location. On-site screening can separate usable material from larger rocks, debris, and other unwanted material. The appropriate approach depends on the material composition, project specifications, required gradation, available space, and intended use. The financial comparison should include: Option A: Haul Off Excavation → stockpile → loading → trucking → disposal → purchase replacement material → delivery → placement Option B: Screen and Reuse Excavation → stockpile → mobile screening → usable material → placement or reuse The second option is not automatically cheaper for every project. Screening requires equipment, labor, space, and planning. However, it can be worth evaluating when a substantial portion of the excavated material may be suitable for reuse. Account for Site Productivity Cost calculations should also consider productivity. If

