connectCost guide

What does excavation cost?

NZ, incl. GST · updated 2 November 2026

Typical digger and operator

$3,500

Most jobs land between $800 and $15,000.

BallparkNZ 2026 ballpark. Real Connect quotes take over once there are enough.

An estimate for planning, not a quote.

Estimate your job

Type the size and see an installed price range for it, incl. GST. More jobs on the estimator.

Excavation

Digger and operator

a half day is about 4

Estimated installed price

$1,600

Most jobs like this land between $1,250 and $2,100, incl. GST, supply and labour.

$130–$200 per hour

1.7–3 t digger, 8 hr$130–$200 per hour$1,040–$1,600
Float fee (getting the machine there)$200–$450
NZ 2026 ballparkAn estimate for planning, not a quote.

Includes: The machine, fuel and an operator.

Not included: Base metal and fill, a truck on standby, and marking services before digging.

People use Connect for site cuts, driveways, trenches, drainage, pools and section clearing.

What drives the price

Hours on site, machine size, what you are digging through, cartage of spoil and float fees. Rock and clay take longer than sand.

Example jobs

Digger and operator, half day$700–$1,200
Driveway cut and base$3,000–$7,000
Site cut for a slab or pool$6,000–$15,000

Example totals are typical NZ ranges incl. GST.

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Got quotes already? Read how to compare tradie quotes before you pick one.

Questions

How much does excavation cost in NZ?

A typical digger and operator is around $3,500 incl. GST, with most jobs between $800 and $15,000. Hours on site, machine size, what you are digging through, cartage of spoil and float fees. Rock and clay take longer than sand.

Is this a quote?

No. It is an estimate based on NZ ballparks to help you plan. Post the job on Connect and vetted local tradies will quote your actual job, free.

Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?

Because tradies often quote slightly different jobs. Connect writes one scope with you first so every quote is for the same work and you can compare them properly.

Prices on this page are estimates incl. GST for a typical residential job in NZ and will vary by site, access, materials and season. They are not a quote.

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