Hydro-Excavation (Vacuum Truck) Calculator
Estimate potholes and slot trenches dug with a hydro-excavation (vacuum) truck — the soil removed, slurry hauled, number of dump trips, and billable hours.
Hydro-Excavation (Vacuum Truck) Calculator — ConcreteNear.com
| Soil excavated | 1.11 yd³ |
| Slurry to haul | 1.8 yd³ |
| Debris-tank loads | 1 |
| Digging time (incl. 15 min setup per hole) | 2.2 hr |
Cost estimate U.S. average prices
| Hydrovac truck & crew 4.5 hr × $225.00 | $1,013 |
| Slurry disposal 1 load × $200.00 | $200.00 |
| Estimated total | $1,213 |
- Hydro-excavation is the safe way to expose gas, fiber and power lines that 811 has located.
- Ask whether the price includes travel time and the disposal-site fee.
| Inputs | |
| Potholes (test holes) | 6 |
| Pothole size (square) | 12 in |
| Pothole depth | 5 ft |
| Slot trench length | 0 ft |
| Excavation rate (per hour) | 1.5 yd³ |
| Slurry factor (water + bulking) | 1.6 |
| Debris tank capacity | 10 yd³ |
| Time per dump trip | 1 hr |
| Minimum billable hours | 4 hr |
Planning estimate only — confirm with your supplier or contractor.
Prices used — edit any price to match your local quote
| Item | Unit price | Basis & source |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro-excavation truck & crew per hr | starting estimate Starting estimate; many hydrovac firms bill 4-hour minimums. | |
| Slurry / spoil disposal per load | starting estimate Starting estimate per debris-tank load. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter the number, size and depth of potholes.
- Add any slot trench.
- Enter the debris tank size and time per dump trip.
- Read loads and billable hours.
Formulas
Soil yd³ = holes × size² × depth + trench length × width × depth, ÷ 27Slurry = soil × slurry factor (water and bulking)Billable hours = max(minimum, digging + dump trips + travel)
Questions
How long does a hydrovac pothole take?
A small test hole in soft soil can take 15–30 minutes; hard clay, frost and rock take longer.
How much does hydro excavation cost?
It is usually billed by the hour with a minimum, plus disposal. Defaults here are labeled estimates — replace them with a local quote.
Why hydrovac instead of digging?
Water and vacuum expose buried utilities without the strike risk of a bucket.
Sources & assumptions
Prices checked 2026-11-10. State pricing multiplies national figures by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (goods for materials, services for labor and services). RPPs compare general consumer price levels (U.S. = 100). They are not construction-specific; we use RPP Goods for materials and RPP Services: Other (excludes rents) for labor and services.
Starting estimates No public price series was found for: Hydro-excavation truck & crew; Slurry / spoil disposal. These defaults are editable placeholders — replace them with a local quote.
Results are planning estimates, not quotes or engineering advice. Codes, specifications and your supplier's numbers govern.
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