charging for a trench

[electricalperson]

does anyone here charge to dig a trench? im not talking about labor but an actual cost for a trench installation on top of charging normal labor hours

[Dennis Alwon]

Think of it this way if you didn't own one you would have to rent one. So, sure I always charge for renting the trencher and the labor, etc.

[480sparky]

Absolutely your charge more. You need specialized equipement, so it costs more.

Here's what my spreadsheet says:

Width x Depth
10" x 12" $5.31
12" x 12" $5.96
18" x 12" $6.77
24" x 12" $7.39
10" x 18" $6.27
12" x 18" $6.88
18" x 18" $7.69
24" x 18" $8.33
10" x 24" $6.69
12" x 24" $7.36
18" x 24" $8.17
24" x 24" $8.83
10" x 30" $7.22
12" x 30" $7.86
18" x 30" $8.83
24" x 30" $9.45
10" x 36" $7.56
12" x 36" $8.51
18" x 36" $9.45
24" x 36" $10.09
12" x 40" $8.51
18" x 40" $9.45
24" x 40" $10.41
30" x 40" $11.35
12" x 48" $9.45
18" x 48" $10.41
24" x 48" $11.35
30" x 48" $13.51
18" x 54" $11.05
24" x 54" $11.99
30" x 54" $13.85
36" x 54" $15.10
18" x 60" $14.42
24" x 60" $16.26
30" x 60" $18.00
36" x 60" $21.64

[petersonra]

does anyone here charge to dig a trench? im not talking about labor but an actual cost for a trench installation on top of charging normal labor hours
I had a plumber out a few years ago to give me an estimate on running a new gas line out to the garage. They put in the price of a temp to come out and dig the ditch.

[electricalperson]

i mean i dont own a trencher. i dig my trenches the old fashioned way with a shovel. i do have a trenching shovel that makes life easier but im thinking i should charge per foot of trench length and depth on top of the time it takes to actually dig it. around here there are some area where digging a trench will require a pick or crowbar since you cant dig without hitting rocks

[pjg]

Absolutely your charge more. You need specialized equipement, so it costs more.

Here's what my spreadsheet says:

Width x Depth
10" x 12" $5.31
12" x 12" $5.96
18" x 12" $6.77
24" x 12" $7.39
10" x 18" $6.27
12" x 18" $6.88
18" x 18" $7.69
24" x 18" $8.33
10" x 24" $6.69
12" x 24" $7.36
18" x 24" $8.17
24" x 24" $8.83
10" x 30" $7.22
12" x 30" $7.86
18" x 30" $8.83
24" x 30" $9.45
10" x 36" $7.56
12" x 36" $8.51
18" x 36" $9.45
24" x 36" $10.09
12" x 40" $8.51
18" x 40" $9.45
24" x 40" $10.41
30" x 40" $11.35
12" x 48" $9.45
18" x 48" $10.41
24" x 48" $11.35
30" x 48" $13.51
18" x 54" $11.05
24" x 54" $11.99
30" x 54" $13.85
36" x 54" $15.10
18" x 60" $14.42
24" x 60" $16.26
30" x 60" $18.00
36" x 60" $21.64

Do these prices includes backfill as well?

[480sparky]

i mean i dont own a trencher. i dig my trenches the old fashioned way with a shovel. i do have a trenching shovel that makes life easier but im thinking i should charge per foot of trench length and depth on top of the time it takes to actually dig it. around here there are some area where digging a trench will require a pick or crowbar since you cant dig without hitting rocks

I always figure if it would take more than an hour to dig it by hand, you're money ahead getting a trencher. Most rental outfits can give you a half-day rate, which is usually 70-80% less than a full day. But I'd rather spend 2 hours and $125 rental and be done than 8 hours with just a shovel.

[Rockyd]

Willing to bet that those numbers are based on your service area also. Bet there is a column 1, 2, 3 depending on soil conditions? Sandy, free dig could be an easy 800' in a day, to ugly rock pile and undersized backhoe seeing a 100', or less, for an eight hour day (if your lucky)?

[480sparky]

Do these prices includes backfill as well?

Yes. If I must backfill with sand or gravel, or backfill & tamp, that's even more. But obviously, this does not include any electrical material that goes in the trench.

[petersonra]

Yes. If I must backfill with sand or gravel, or backfill & tamp, that's even more. But obviously, this does not include any electrical material that goes in the trench.I will hire you to come dig any trenches I need. Sounds cheap to me.

[480sparky]

I will hire you to come dig any trenches I need. Sounds cheap to me.


Easy work (er, I mean, money) for me. I just sub it out at $3/ft. Where do you want me Tuesday morning?

Oh, I should mention, I chage mileage based on that days' gas prices.:D

[R Bob]

Easy work (er, I mean, money) for me. I just sub it out at $3/ft. Where do you want me Tuesday morning?

Oh, I should mention, I chage mileage based on that days' gas prices.:D

I don't know where you're located but I'll fly you in @that rate!:grin:

[480sparky]

I don't know where you're located but I'll fly you in @that rate!:grin:

Cool. My hourly rate kicks in as soon as I lock my door. :D

[R Bob]

Cool. My hourly rate kicks in as soon as I lock my door. :D

1st Class OK?

[480sparky]

1st Class OK?

Charter, please.

[dcooper]

When I started I never dug! I once had a customer ask me how much I would charge to dig the trench. I told her $20 a foot. The run was 50 feet. She asked me if she was to pay it how would I dig it. I told her to ask the carpenter because I was going to pay him $400 to do it.
Now I still don't dig I hire a laborer for $12 hr and bill it out @ $10 per foot. And that doesn't include the price of the ditch witch.

[cadpoint]

Easy work (er, I mean, money) for me. I just sub it out at $3/ft. Where do you want me Tuesday morning?

Oh, I should mention, I charge mileage based on that days' gas prices.:D

OK, let's look at it this way IN/sq verses per foot, sorry it just seems low over-all ...

[Sparkyrob11]

If someone can afford to pay an electrician to dig, you're not charging enough.:wink:

[quogueelectric]

I live on a glacial meltdown leftover called long island so when I dig on the northshore I run into boulders the size of cleveland and when I am on the South shore I have sand and more sand. North shore excavation by others and south shore by me at 5 bucks a foot.

[cadpoint]

I live on a glacial meltdown leftover called long island so when I dig on the northshore I run into boulders the size of cleveland and when I am on the South shore I have sand and more sand. North shore excavation by others and south shore by me at 5 bucks a foot.

you still have two right holves...

[cadpoint]

I guess it just doesn't matter, cause it just doesn't, I will just sit back and Shut up

[electricalperson]

so if i have to dig a 100 foot trench 18 inches deep do you people think 10 dollars a foot is a good price or too expensive?

[chris kennedy]

so if i have to dig a 100 foot trench 18 inches deep do you people think 10 dollars a foot is a good price or too expensive?
Go 20" deep so you have 18" to the top of the conduit.:smile:

All sand here but we get underground inspection on everything. If I could get an inspection around noon then I could back fill the same day and a grand for that is about right.

[iaov]

If someone can afford to pay an electrician to dig, you're not charging enough.:wink:Here here!!:D

[csparkrun]

Go 20" deep so you have 18" to the top of the conduit.:smile:

All sand here but we get underground inspection on everything. If I could get an inspection around noon then I could back fill the same day and a grand for that is about right.
i always tell customers 24" when they say they will trench, their tape measure seems different than mine, 24" usually will make the 20" rule.

[HighWirey]

Absolutely your charge more. You need specialized equipement, so it costs more.

Here's what my spreadsheet says:

Width x Depth
10" x 12" $5.31
12" x 12" $5.96
18" x 12" $6.77
24" x 12" $7.39
10" x 18" $6.27
12" x 18" $6.88
18" x 18" $7.69
24" x 18" $8.33
10" x 24" $6.69
12" x 24" $7.36
18" x 24" $8.17
24" x 24" $8.83
10" x 30" $7.22
12" x 30" $7.86
18" x 30" $8.83
24" x 30" $9.45
10" x 36" $7.56
12" x 36" $8.51
18" x 36" $9.45
24" x 36" $10.09
12" x 40" $8.51
18" x 40" $9.45
24" x 40" $10.41
30" x 40" $11.35
12" x 48" $9.45
18" x 48" $10.41
24" x 48" $11.35
30" x 48" $13.51
18" x 54" $11.05
24" x 54" $11.99
30" x 54" $13.85
36" x 54" $15.10
18" x 60" $14.42
24" x 60" $16.26
30" x 60" $18.00
36" x 60" $21.64

These prices must be per C. Same pricing my competition used!


Best Wishes Everyone

[roger3829]

If someone can afford to pay an electrician to dig, you're not charging enough.:wink:

I agree.

That is the one part of doing electrical work that the HO is capable of doing. Just call me when the trench is done.

[480sparky]

These prices must be per C....
Per hundred feet???
I agree.

That is the one part of doing electrical work that the HO is capable of doing. Just call me when the trench is done.
But, work is work, and work means money. If I'm asked to dig a trench, I dig it, at a price that produces a profit. How many painters would let HOs do the primer coat?