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Excavation Contractors in Houston, Texas

Find excavation contractors serving Houston, Texas, for site preparation, land grading, trenching, foundation and basement digs, pond excavation and other earthwork. Compare local excavation companies, check which services each one offers, and contact them directly about your project.

Excavation Contractors Serving Houston

44 excavation contractors serving Houston confirm on their own websites that they offer excavation (checked October 2026). Each listing links to the page where the company describes the service, so you can check it yourself.

Excavation Services in Houston

ServiceWhat to ask the contractor
Site preparationWhich stages are included: clearing, grubbing, excavation, grading, compaction
Foundation and basement excavationEngineered depths, soil conditions, spoil haul-off
Land gradingDrainage direction, imported fill, compaction testing
TrenchingUtility locates, trench safety, backfill
Pond excavationDepth, spoil placement, spillway

How Much Do Excavation Contractors Charge in Houston?

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 Houston-specific average. For the full breakdown, see excavation cost.

Houston Permits and Local Rules

Much of the Houston area sits in or near mapped floodplain, so the permit question usually starts with drainage and fill, not trees.

RuleWhat it means for your projectSource
City of Houston fill and grade permitExcavation, fill, or both need a grading permit, with plan review and inspection. Floodplain work also needs a floodplain development permit, and fees vary with acreage and whether the parcel is in a floodway or conveyance zone. Plans include a grading and drainage plan and a topographic survey.Houston Permitting Center: fill and grade permits
City of Houston tree permitRemoving a tree on city property, including rights-of-way, medians and parks, or in a setback, requires a city permit.Houston Permitting Center: tree removal permit
Unincorporated Harris CountyHarris County requires a permit for all development, including filling and grading, in its unincorporated areas. No fill is allowed in a floodway, and floodplain projects need engineered drawings.Harris County Engineering: permit FAQ
Stormwater (statewide)Disturbing 1 acre or more, or part of a larger common plan of development, needs TCEQ construction stormwater coverage.TCEQ
Burning debris (statewide)Allowed only under TCEQ conditions, never during a Harris County burn ban or red flag warning.TCEQ GI-415; Texas A&M Forest Service burn ban map
Call 811 (statewide)Call at least two days before digging. The call is free.Railroad Commission of Texas

These are the rules most likely to affect a clearing or sitework job. Confirm requirements for your parcel with the city or county before work starts, and see land clearing permits for a full checklist.

How to Choose an Excavation Contractor in Houston

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 before you call, read site preparation, excavation cost and land grading. If the site still has trees and brush, start with Houston land clearing contractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do excavation contractors charge in Houston?

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. Get quotes from local contractors for your exact scope.

Do I need a permit for excavation in Houston?

Often, yes. Inside Houston city limits, removing trees on city property, rights-of-way or in a setback needs a city tree permit, and excavation or fill needs a City of Houston grading permit, and floodplain sites also need a floodplain development permit. In unincorporated Harris County, the county requires a permit for all development, including filling and grading. Check which jurisdiction the parcel is in before work starts.

What’s the difference between excavation and land grading?

Excavation digs out or moves earth to reach required depths. Land grading shapes the surface to set slope and drainage. Many sitework contractors do both, but quotes often price them separately.

How are excavation contractors priced?

By the cubic yard, by the machine-hour or as a fixed total. HomeGuide lists $2.50 to $15 per cubic yard for soil and $100 to $300 per hour for an excavator with an operator. Ask which unit a quote uses before comparing bids.

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Sources

Reviewed October 15, 2026. Prices are attributed national estimates, not Houston quotes. Permit summaries are a starting point; confirm requirements for your parcel with the city or county.