View Full Version : How much does it cost to trench a 1000 foot water line?
lincolnlilith
Nov 2, 2013, 09:34 AM
Recently purchased a large parcel of land in northern, rural California. A few decent sized towns near, so contractors and equipment are reasonably close (quincy area). Soil conditions seem amenable for digging (higher elevation, pine/doug fir, loamy, reddish soil... but some rocks likely).
Need to dig a 1000 foot long utility trench to bring water, power and telco to home site. All can be put in same trench, water at bottom... 4 feet deep.
Need an estimate of trench cost, plus a return trip to backfill after inspections. Do not include pipe costs, wire, etc.
Soil does not need to be compacted.
Thanks!
joypulv
Nov 2, 2013, 09:44 AM
It's not really meaningful to ask for quotes on a world wide site such as this one.
Call 2 or 3 locally and they will be happy to look at your land.
Where I live (northeast) a backhoe is usually $125 hour for one man and $25 for a helper if needed.
They won't quote a fixed price because of rocks.
1000' down 4' sounds like it would take all of one day, if big boulders aren't a problem.
hkstroud
Nov 2, 2013, 09:00 PM
Only way to get cost concepts is to get quotes from local contractors.
All can be put in same trench,
I really really doubt that. Better check and recheck. And if you can do it, I wouldn't do it.
Depending on size of rocks anticipated check out using a trenching machine.
techie2u
Mar 28, 2014, 11:34 AM
Check into going to home Depot or any equipment rental place and find out the price of a ditch witch. If not rocky or filled with tree roots, it should be easily done in a day. Remember to put a colorful tape in the trench when it is halfway full on the backfill so sombody doesn't dig up your wires or pipes at a later date. Good Luck
smoothy
Mar 28, 2014, 11:39 AM
1,000 feet in a day with a home depot trencher? That's going to be a very long day. I did one 75 feet between my garage and shed 3 feet deep to bury a power cable and that took a few hours.