The Honest Answer Up Front
Anyone who quotes you a "per cubic yard" or "per hour" rate without seeing your property is either lowballing to win the job or hedging because they don't know what they're doing. Real excavation pricing in NJ depends on six things: scope, soil type, access, depth, disposal needs, and equipment required.
That said, here's the realistic range you should expect for common projects in Central NJ — Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean County — based on what we actually quote and complete.
Foundation Excavation
For a typical residential foundation dig (single-family home, basement-depth, average soil): $5,000–$15,000. The wide range reflects whether you have:
- Easy access vs tight access. A wide-open lot lets us bring in a full-size excavator. A wooded lot with limited access means smaller equipment and more time.
- Sandy soil vs clay vs rock. Sandy soil digs fast but needs more shoring. Clay digs slower but holds walls. Hitting rock changes the math entirely.
- Spoil disposal. Can excavated dirt stay on the property as fill, or does it need to be hauled out? Hauling adds significant cost.
- Depth. A standard 8-foot basement is one thing. A 10-foot full-depth basement, or going below the water table, is another.
Septic System Installation
A new conventional septic system in NJ runs $10,000–$25,000 depending on:
- Tank size (1,000-gallon vs 1,500-gallon vs larger)
- Leach field design and required perc test results
- Whether it's a new install or a replacement of an existing failed system
- Soil conditions and required engineering
- Permit and inspection costs (varies by township)
Engineered systems (mound systems, advanced treatment units required when soil doesn't perc well) can run $30,000–$60,000+. Read about septic warning signs here →
Land Clearing
For wooded lot clearing in NJ: $2,500–$15,000+ per acre. Variables:
- Tree density and average tree size
- Whether stumps need to come out or can stay (stump removal adds significant cost)
- Disposal method — chipping on-site vs hauling out
- Slope and access conditions
Grading & Regrading
Yard regrading for drainage runs $2,500–$10,000 for typical residential properties. Full lot grading for new construction is a different category — usually bid as part of the larger site work package.
Drainage Solutions
French drains: $2,000–$8,000 depending on length, depth, and outlet requirements. Dry wells: $1,500–$5,000. Full property drainage redesign with multiple components: $10,000+.
Demolition
Small structures (sheds, garages, in-ground pools): $3,000–$10,000. Full house tear-downs: $10,000–$30,000+, depending on size, materials (asbestos remediation if needed), foundation removal, and disposal costs.
Concrete Work
Concrete work is usually priced per square foot for flatwork, with footings and walls priced separately:
- Slabs (basic): $6–$10 per sq ft
- Slabs (decorative or thicker): $10–$20+ per sq ft
- Footings and foundation walls: priced as part of the foundation package
- Retaining walls: highly variable depending on height, material, and engineering needs
Why "Get Three Quotes" Is Good Advice — With a Caveat
You should always get multiple quotes. But the cheapest quote is almost never the best deal in excavation work. Here's what to look for instead:
- Is the contractor licensed and insured? Verify it. Mannino is registered with the State of NJ with full liability and workers' comp.
- Does the owner actually run the equipment, or are you getting subcontractors? This matters more than people realize.
- Did they walk the site, or just give you a number over the phone? Phone quotes are guesses.
- Is the quote itemized? "Excavation: $12,000" means nothing. "Foundation excavation 30x40x8, spoil hauled to approved disposal, includes shoring as needed: $12,000" tells you what you're paying for.
- What does the warranty look like on workmanship? Real contractors stand behind their work.
What to Have Ready When You Call
To get an accurate estimate fast, have this ready:
- Project address (we'll come look at it)
- What you think you need (foundation? septic? regrading? — even a rough description helps)
- Any plans, surveys, or permits already in hand
- Your timeline — flexibility helps with scheduling
Mannino's Pricing Approach
We give you one straight quote, itemized clearly, and we stick to it. No surprise change orders for "additional excavation found" or "soil conditions worse than expected" — if we miss something on the estimate, that's on us, not you. The owner runs the equipment, so the person who quoted the job is the person who delivers it.
Free estimates anywhere in Jackson, Freehold, Howell, Toms River, and the rest of Central NJ. Call (908) 670-7297.