Division 31 · Earthwork volumes
Cut and fill estimating that answers how much dirt leaves your site and how much arrives
Earthwork is the largest swing line on most site bids, and it is decided by one comparison: existing surface versus proposed surface. LEEDS estimators build both surfaces, compute volumes by a method that fits the terrain, apply shrink and swell, and balance the site so import, export and haul are known before you bid. Every figure comes with a model you can open and a volume report you can check.
±3%typical volume variance versus final survey on modeled earthwork
- 5.0 Google
- 4.9 Trustpilot
- 4.9 Clutch
typical volume variance versus final survey on modeled earthwork
24–48 hours
Typical turnaround
31
CSI divisions
XLSX · PDF
You receive
Earthwork quantities we compute
Volumes by method and zone, adjusted for soil behavior, then carried to haul and disposal lines.
Existing surface modelSF
Survey contours, spot shots and breaklines converted into a triangulated ground surface
Proposed surface modelSF
Finished grades, pad elevations, pavement subgrade and slopes built as a design surface
Gross cut volumeCY
Excavation in bank measure by zone, bounded by grading limits and offset to subgrade
Gross fill volumeCY
Embankment required to reach design grade, in compacted measure by zone
Shrink and swell adjustment%
Soil factors applied to convert bank, loose and compacted yards for each material type
Topsoil strip and undercutCY
Stripping depth over footprint, plus subgrade undercut under slabs, pavements and walls
Import and export balanceCY
Net surplus or deficit after on-site reuse, with borrow source or disposal site identified
Haul distance and mass haulCY-STA / MILES
Cut-to-fill and cut-to-stockpile distances, free haul limits and overhaul volumes
Rock and unsuitable materialCY
Rock excavation, blasting or hammering allowances, and removal of soft or organic soils
Utility and foundation spoilCY
Trench, footing and basement excavation that adds to cut and may not return to the site
Stockpile and double handlingCY
Temporary storage, rehandling and moisture conditioning of reusable material
3D model and volume reportLS
Exported surfaces, section views, grid sheets and a signed-off quantity summary
Overview
How cut and fill volumes are built
A cut and fill estimate compares the existing ground surface to the proposed finished surface and reports the volume of excavation (cut) and embankment (fill) in cubic yards. The existing surface comes from the topographic survey, the proposed surface from the grading plan and the pavement and building pad sections beneath it. Subtracting one from the other, cell by cell or triangle by triangle, gives the volume that has to move. Quantities are broken out by grading zone and phase.
Raw volumes are not the number you bid. Excavated soil swells when loosened and shrinks when compacted, so one bank cubic yard of cut does not equal one compacted cubic yard of fill. We apply soil-specific factors from the geotechnical report, add topsoil stripping, building and pavement undercut, and trench spoil, and then deduct what can be reused on site. What remains is import or export. Each zone is shown separately so you can see where soil is short and where it is in surplus, and the model is checked against sections cut at regular stations to catch bad breaklines or surface errors before the numbers reach your bid.
That balance feeds the haul. We measure haul distances between cut areas and fill areas, build a mass haul diagram for long linear projects, and price free haul, overhaul and off-site disposal or borrow separately, with rock excavation allowances where borings show refusal. Haul pricing is built from cycle time: load, travel, dump, return and wait. That lets you price trucks by the hour, scrapers by the pass or off-site hauling by the load, and test how each choice affects cost. For linear projects, the mass haul diagram highlights balance points and overhaul zones, which often reveal savings that a single average haul distance would hide.
Estimate types
What type of cut and fill estimating can you get?
Match the estimate to where your project is. Every option is priced as a flat fee before work begins.
- 01
Surface comparison earthwork takeoff
Full TIN-based cut and fill volumes with zone tables, shrink and swell, import and export balance and a model delivered for your machine control.
Best for Site contractors and excavators
Precision±3–5%Turnaround24–48 hours - 02
Mass haul and haul cost study
Station-based mass haul diagram for linear projects, with free haul, overhaul, borrow and waste priced by distance and cycle time.
Best for Roadway and pipeline earthwork
Precision±6%Turnaround48 hours - 03
Conceptual earthwork budget
Rapid balance estimate from contour maps and a concept grading plan, for feasibility and land acquisition decisions.
Best for Developers and feasibility studies
Precision±12%TurnaroundSame day to 24 hours - 04
Pad and phase earthwork options
Alternate pad elevations compared for cut, fill and haul cost, so the design can be optimized before bid.
Best for Design-build and civil engineers
PrecisionQuantities onlyTurnaround24–48 hours - 05
Progress and change-order verification
Updated surfaces compared against the original model to confirm quantities for pay applications and claims.
Best for Active projects
Precision±3%TurnaroundSame day
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
Volumes computed from surface comparisons
And checked against section-based end-area calculations as a quality control step.
Soil swell and shrink factors tied to the geotechnical report
not a single factor applied across every material.
Import and export clearly balanced by zone
So you can see where the surplus or shortage appears and why.
Haul distances drawn on the plan
with cycle time and truck count so your trucking cost can be validated.
Rock, unsuitable soils and groundwater risks
Carried as stated allowances with unit prices for additions.
Delivered 3D surfaces that open in common
Civil software and can be loaded into dozer and excavator machine control.
Process
How our estimating process works
Four steps from upload to a bid-ready estimate, with a senior estimator signing off before anything leaves our desk.
- 01
Upload plans and scope
Send your drawings, specifications and bid invitation through the secure upload form. We confirm scope, deadline and a fixed price within two business hours.
- 02
Digital quantity takeoff
Estimators measure every item from calibrated plans in Bluebeam and PlanSwift, color-coding each layer so quantities can be traced back to the drawing.
- 03
Pricing and labor
Quantities are priced with location-adjusted material costs, crew productivity rates and equipment, then marked up to your overhead and profit targets.
- 04
Senior review and delivery
A second estimator audits quantities and pricing, documents assumptions and exclusions, and delivers your Excel workbook, PDF summary and marked-up plans.
Free quote
Get a fixed quote for this scope
Upload drawings or a plan link and tell us the bid date. A senior estimator confirms scope, price and delivery before any work starts.
- Scope confirmation and a fixed price within two business hours
- Most estimates delivered in 24–48 hours
- Unlimited revisions until bid day
- Plans stay confidential and are deleted on request
Prefer to talk? Call +1 (800) 555-0199 or email info@leedsestimating.com.
Deliverables
What's included in your estimate package
Every deliverable is formatted so it can go straight into a proposal, a purchase order or an owner report.
Estimate workbook
Quantities, unit costs, labor hours and totals organized by CSI division, with subtotals, markups and a bid summary tab.
Marked-up plans
Color-coded takeoff drawings showing exactly where every measured quantity came from.
Material procurement list
Consolidated material quantities with waste factors applied, ready to send to suppliers for quotes.
Labor hours by task
Crew-based labor hours and productivity rates so you can check the schedule against the estimate.
Assumptions and exclusions log
Every clarification, allowance and exclusion documented so your proposal scope is defensible.
Bid summary sheet
A proposal-ready one-page summary with overhead, profit, bonds and contingency applied.
Project types
Project types we estimate
The same measured-twice standard applies whether the scope is a tenant improvement or a ground-up campus.
01Commercial pad sites
02Subdivision mass grading
03Landfill and quarry expansions
04Highway and railroad embankments
05Warehouse and logistics campuses
06Dams, levees and detention ponds
07Solid-waste and stormwater cells
08Athletic complexes and campuses
Reviews
What contractors say after their first bid with us
What general contractors, subcontractors and developers say after bidding with our numbers.
“Squares, underlayment, flashing lengths, fastener counts, even the ridge vent. The waste factors were right for the roof pitch. Bid-ready out of the box.”
Greg Lindqvist
Estimator, Summit Roofing Co. · Kansas City, MO
“Lumber lists, finish schedules and allowances in a format our clients actually understand. The assumptions log alone has saved us from two scope disputes.”
Luis Herrera
Project Manager, Sierra Ridge Homes · Phoenix, AZ
“Duct takeoff by gauge and size, equipment schedules, hangers, insulation. They understand sheet metal. Turnaround was 36 hours on a 90,000 square foot clinic.”
Tom Beaulieu
President, Beaulieu Mechanical · Minneapolis, MN
FAQ
Cut and Fill Estimating FAQs
Which volume method do you use for cut and fill?
Our primary method is a triangulated surface comparison between the existing and proposed ground models. We cross-check it with average end area on sections or a grid method on small pads. When the two disagree by more than a few percent, we investigate before issuing the number. We also state the working assumptions on each factor.
How do you handle shrink and swell?
We take soil types and compaction targets from the geotechnical report, then convert bank volumes to loose and compacted yards for each material. Typical shrink or swell factors are listed in the assumptions so you can substitute your own if your experience differs. Checking against cross-sections is a standard step.
Can you tell me how much to import or export?
Yes. After reuse of suitable cut material on site, we report net import or export in cubic yards by zone, with the assumptions behind it. That figure drives your borrow, disposal and trucking cost, so we also provide haul distances and cycle times. Zone tables make it easy to see where borrow or disposal enters.
Do you account for rock and unsuitable soils?
When borings show refusal or soft material, we carry rock excavation and undercut quantities in separate lines with allowances for ripping, hammering or blasting. If the geotechnical report is silent, we state our assumption and offer unit prices for variances. We confirm unit prices for variance in the proposal.
Do you provide the 3D models?
Yes. We can deliver the surfaces and volume reports in formats that open in common civil and takeoff software. Models are prepared with breaklines and clean boundaries to support machine control, and we document the source data and revision dates. Surface vintage and revision dates are recorded.
What do you need to start an earthwork takeoff?
The existing topographic survey, grading plan, geotechnical report, pavement and pad sections, and any utility profiles. CAD or surface files speed things up, but we can build the surfaces from PDFs when needed. Contour intervals of two feet or finer give the best accuracy. The more detail on the survey, the tighter the result.
Related
Related estimating services
Most projects need more than one trade. Bundle them into a single upload and we price the whole scope together.
Blog
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Practical guidance on bidding, takeoffs and protecting margin.
Ready for a cut and fill estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.