Excavation Contractors in Pennsylvania
Find excavation contractors serving Pennsylvania properties, for site preparation, land grading, trenching, foundation and basement digs, pond excavation and other earthwork. We list 85 excavation contractors across 2 Pennsylvania metros, each confirmed on the company’s own website (checked October 2026). Choose a city to compare them.
Browse Pennsylvania Excavation Contractors by City
- Philadelphia excavation contractors: 29 verified
- Pittsburgh excavation contractors: 56 verified
Pennsylvania Excavation Contractors at a Glance
| City | Contractors | Also land clearing | Also forestry mulching | Also stump grinding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 29 | 10 | 0 | 3 |
| Pittsburgh | 56 | 22 | 2 | 4 |
| Total listings | 85 | 32 | 2 | 7 |
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 Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania-specific average. For the full breakdown, see excavation cost.
Pennsylvania Rules That Affect Your Project
| Rule | What it requires | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Call 811 before digging | Homeowners and contractors must call 811 (PA One Call) at least three business days before starting any digging or excavation. The PA One Call Law, Section 180(2.1), sets the window at not less than three nor more than ten business days before excavation or demolition. | Source |
| Construction stormwater permit | Under DEP’s Chapter 102 program, construction activities with earth disturbance of one acre or more need NPDES permit coverage (PAG-01, PAG-02 general permits or an individual permit). Other activities disturbing 5 acres or more that are not listed elsewhere need an E&S permit. | Source |
| Burning cleared brush | 25 Pa. Code § 129.14: open burning is prohibited in air basins, except that clearing and grubbing wastes may be burned there only in air curtain destructors approved in writing by DEP beforehand. Outside air basins, clearing and grubbing wastes may be burned if the fire causes no visible emissions beyond the property line, malodors, nuisance, or damage; DEP may order it stopped. | Source |
Local rules vary by city:
- Philadelphia: In Philadelphia, clearing (including cutting trees and grubbing roots) on a lot over 5,000 sq ft needs a zoning permit for site clearing, and 5,000 sq ft or more of earth disturbance also requires Philadelphia Water Department stormwater/E&S review before you apply.
- Pittsburgh: In Pittsburgh, removing vegetation or trees over 10,000 sq ft, or on any slope steeper than 25%, requires a City Land Operations Permit.
How to Choose an Excavation Contractor in Pennsylvania
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
- Pennsylvania: 811 requirement (no date; 3-10 business day window quoted in PUC complaint https://www.puc.pa.gov/pcdocs/1865141.pdf (2025-02-06))
- Pennsylvania: Construction stormwater permit (no date (footer © 2026))
- Pennsylvania: Open burning rules (no date)
- 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.