No one publishes a Scottsdale price list. These figures come from Angi's Phoenix-area excavation guide, Angi's 2026 national excavation and pool guides, and HomeAdvisor's trenching guide. A real quote comes after a contractor walks the lot.
| Work | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation, typical job | $1,844 to $6,083 (average $3,598) | Angi, Phoenix |
| Excavation, national | $1,659 to $6,715 (average $3,979) | Angi, national |
| Yard grading and leveling | $415 to $6,720 | Angi, Phoenix |
| Dirt removal or hauling | $10 to $30 per cubic yard | Angi, Phoenix |
| Land clearing | $1,400 to $5,800 | Angi, national |
| Rock or ledge removal | $1,000 to more than $20,000 | Angi, national |
| Pool excavation | $500 to $3,020 (average $2,500) | Angi, national |
| Trenching | $400 to $1,200 (average $950) | HomeAdvisor, national |
| Permits for excavation | $50 to $400 | Angi, national |
| Soil testing | $700 to $2,200 | Angi, national |
Why Scottsdale jobs vary so much
- Rock. A flat lot in an older neighborhood and a boulder lot near the McDowells can differ by thousands. See rock excavation.
- Engineering. Grading and drainage plans need an engineer, and basins get an engineer's certification.
- Native plants. Inventory, salvage and replanting add steps on desert lots.
- Access. Building envelopes on ESL lots limit where machines can go.
Comparing quotes
- Same scope? Check that each quote includes haul-off, compaction and cleanup.
- How is rock handled: hourly, per yard, or a fixed allowance?
- Who pulls the grading permit and the county dust permit?
- Which Arizona ROC license does the contractor hold? R-2, A-5 or CR-2 for excavating and grading.
Scottsdale context
Census QuickFacts puts Scottsdale's median owner-occupied home value at $789,800 for 2020 to 2024. A $3,598 excavation job would be under half a percent of that, by our arithmetic.
Sources
- Angi: Excavation costs in Phoenix, AZ (updated June 16, 2026)
- Angi: How much does excavation cost? (Mariel Loveland, updated September 14, 2026)
- Angi: How much does pool excavation cost? (Scott Dylan Westerlund, updated October 19, 2026)
- HomeAdvisor: How much does trenching cost? (updated June 19, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Scottsdale city, Arizona
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors: License Classifications
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
How much does excavation cost in Scottsdale?
We don't have Scottsdale-only data. Angi's Phoenix-area guide lists a typical job at $1,844 to $6,083, averaging $3,598.
Why do excavation quotes in north Scottsdale run higher?
Rock, engineering, native plant salvage and limited access on ESL lots all add time. Angi's national guide lists rock or ledge removal at $1,000 to more than $20,000.
Get it quoted
Call or use the form. A local excavation contractor gets back to you, and asking for a quote costs nothing.
Reached voicemail? Leave your name, number, the address and a line about the job.