Excavation Contractors in Arkansas
Find excavation contractors serving Arkansas properties, for site preparation, land grading, trenching, foundation and basement digs, pond excavation and other earthwork. We list 23 excavation contractors across 1 Arkansas metro, each confirmed on the company’s own website (checked October 2026). Choose a city to compare them.
Browse Arkansas Excavation Contractors by City
- Little Rock excavation contractors: 23 verified
Arkansas Excavation Contractors at a Glance
| City | Contractors | Also land clearing | Also forestry mulching | Also stump grinding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | 23 | 8 | 1 | 3 |
Counts come from the listings on each city page. The Contractors column is the number of excavation companies listed; each confirms excavation on its own website. The other columns count companies whose sites also confirm that service, so one company can appear in more than one column.
How Much Do Excavation Contractors Charge in Arkansas?
Excavation typically costs $2.50 to $15 per cubic yard for ordinary soil, or $100 to $300 per hour for an excavator with an operator, according to HomeGuide’s 2026 guide. Its average total project is $1,100 to $5,600, with trenching at $5 to $12 per linear foot and pond digging at $300 to $3,200. These are national figures; no published source gives a reliable Arkansas-specific average. For the full breakdown, see excavation cost.
Arkansas Rules That Affect Your Project
| Rule | What it requires | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Call 811 before digging | Each person responsible for an excavation or demolition must notify the One Call Center at least 2 full working days, and not more than 10 full working days, before starting (A.C.A. 14-271-112(b), per PHMSA’s summary). Arkansas 811 says member utilities are notified to locate within two full working days, work must start within 10 working days of the call-in date, and the ticket must be renewed if work is not finished within 20 working days. | Source |
| Construction stormwater permit | The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality covers construction stormwater under general permit ARR150000. Small sites (1 to less than 5 acres) get automatic coverage: post the Notice of Coverage, SWPPP and inspection form on site before construction, with nothing sent to DEQ. Large sites (5 acres or more) must submit an NOI and fee through SEEK; the annual fee is $200. | Source |
| Burning cleared brush | Rule 18.602 bans open burning of refuse and waste material, but Rule 18.603(D) exempts controlled fires used only for on-site land clearing, and 18.603(B) exempts agricultural clearing of previously uncultivated land. These exempt burns must stop when the Director declares air pollution conditions. Local fire officials may also require their own permits. | Source |
Local rules vary by city:
- Little Rock: In Little Rock, removing more than seven trees in 12 months, or most tree clearing outside small residential lots, requires a City grading permit under the Land Alteration Regulations.
How to Choose an Excavation Contractor in Arkansas
Send every bidder the same plans and dimensions. Ask whether the price is per cubic yard, per hour or a fixed total; whether spoil haul-off, imported fill, rock and compaction testing are included; who handles permits and utility locates; and what the finished grade will look like.
For background, read site preparation, excavation cost and land grading.
Sources
- Arkansas: 811 requirement (8/7/2017 (PHMSA summary); ar811.org page no date)
- Arkansas: Construction stormwater permit (no date (current permit expires Oct. 31, 2026; renewal effective Nov. 1, 2026))
- Arkansas: Open burning rules (Approved February 26, 2016)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Excavation Cost? (written February 5, 2026)
Reviewed October 16, 2026. Prices are attributed national estimates. Confirm permit requirements for your parcel with the city or county.