01
Measure length
Measure the longest side of the rectangular excavation or soil area in feet.
San Diego County · Measured planning tool
Dirt removal cost calculator
Measure length, width, and average depth to estimate cubic yards, nominal 10 yard lowboy loads, and a starting cost before requesting a written quote.
10 yd³
Nominal lowboy volume
$771
Starting total
5 days
Included rental time
Project review
Final written quote
Interactive estimator
Turn measurements into cubic yards.
Enter cubic yards if you already know them, or enter the measured dimensions of a rectangular area. A cubic-yard entry overrides the dimensions. The tool rounds nominal lowboy loads up to a whole container.
What the result means
- ✓ Cubic yards are a geometry estimate.
- ✓ Lowboy count is based on nominal volume.
- ✓ Starting total uses the $771 price for each lowboy.
- ✓ A written quote still confirms the project conditions.
Measure in the right order
Four steps to a useful dirt estimate
02
Measure width
Measure the perpendicular side in feet. Divide irregular projects into smaller rectangles.
03
Estimate average depth
Use the average depth in inches, not only the deepest point. Add matching areas with the quantity field.
04
Review the planning result
The calculator converts the measured volume to cubic yards, divides by the nominal 10 cubic yard capacity, rounds up to whole containers, and applies the $771 starting price.
Calculator limits
Volume gets you close. Material details determine safe loading.
The estimator deliberately avoids generic soil-weight assumptions and unsupported disposal-rate averages. Those values change too much by material and condition to replace a written quote for your dirt.
Volume is not weight
Dry fill, wet soil, clay, rock, roots, and mixed material can weigh differently even when the measured volume is the same.
Ten yards is nominal volume
The tool divides by the lowboy’s nominal 10 cubic yard size. The safe fill limit can be lower after material and weight review.
Clean material stays separate
Dirt and other clean heavy material should not be mixed with household trash, drywall, wood, green waste, or hazardous material.
The address still matters
Access, placement, surface, route, local permission, and pickup timing must be checked for the actual San Diego County location.
From estimate to removal plan
Prepare the details needed for your quote
Clean heavy material
Use the low-profile container
The 10 yard lowboy is for reviewed clean heavy-material loads. Confirm the exact material before loading; the written quote controls what is approved.
Placement
Protect the surface and approach
Share the intended set-down area and the complete access path so placement can be reviewed before dispatch.
Material control
Keep dirt out of mixed debris
A sorted jobsite makes it easier to keep clean heavy material separate from wood, drywall, trash, and other debris.
Truck access
Leave a clear working lane
Gates, tight turns, slopes, soft ground, branches, wires, and parked vehicles should be identified before the delivery window.
Details for your quote
Send more than the cubic-yard number.
The measurement estimate is most useful when it arrives with material photos, location details, and a clear access plan.
✓ Delivery address, city, and ZIP
✓ Length, width, average depth, and number of matching areas
✓ Photos of the excavation, soil pile, and intended placement
✓ Whether the material is dirt only or includes rock, roots, concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, or tile
✓ Whether the soil is wet, unknown, imported, or suspected to be contaminated
✓ Gate width, slope, overhead clearance, turning room, and surface notes
✓ Preferred delivery date, required rental window, and pickup deadline
✓ Street, sidewalk, HOA, tenant, parking, or permit constraints
Continue planning
Open the next useful guide
Full dumpster rate sheet and calculator
Compare general-debris and lowboy starting prices, included weight and days, then estimate cost from the details you know.
Open guide →San Diego ADU dumpster guide
Turn the excavation estimate into a phase plan for clean heavy material, general construction debris, C&D records, placement, and timing.
Open guide →10 yard lowboy details
Review the lowboy dimensions, accepted materials, included rental time, and starting price.
Open guide →Concrete and dirt rental
Review the 10 yard lowboy rules for dirt, concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, and tile.
Open guide →Complete dumpster cost guide
See every starting price, what is included, and what can change the cost.
Open guide →Compare written quotes
Compare container, material, time, access, placement, and pickup terms.
Open guide →San Diego service areas
Check service for the ZIP and delivery details before selecting a date.
Open guide →Request a project quote
Send the dimensions, material, address, access notes, photos, and schedule for review.
Open guide →Dirt calculator questions
Dirt removal cost FAQ
How do I calculate cubic yards of dirt?
For a rectangular area, multiply length in feet by width in feet by average depth in inches, then divide by 324. The calculator applies that conversion and can multiply the result for matching areas. Irregular projects should be divided into smaller rectangles and added together.
How many 10 yard lowboys does my dirt project need?
The calculator divides estimated cubic yards by the lowboy’s nominal 10 cubic yard volume and rounds up to a whole container. That is a volume-based planning estimate only. Material weight, moisture, composition, safe fill height, access, and disposal requirements can reduce how much belongs in one load.
How much does the 10 yard dirt lowboy start at?
The 10 yard lowboy starts at $771 with 5 days included. Request a written quote for address, material, weight, placement, access, delivery, pickup, and schedule conditions. A separate 3% processing fee applies to all card payments.
Does the calculator give me a final dirt removal price?
No. It provides a measured-volume estimate and a starting cost estimate. The final quote still depends on the address, exact material, moisture and weight conditions, number of loads, placement, access, delivery and pickup scheduling, local requirements, and disposal acceptance.
Can dirt go in a regular 15, 20, 30, or 40 yard dumpster?
No. Clean dirt and other dense material go in the 10 yard lowboy, not a general-debris dumpster. Identify every material before delivery so Haul’n Off can confirm the correct container and disposal requirements.
Can I mix dirt with concrete, rock, roots, or trash?
Do not assume mixed material is accepted at the same rate or in the same load. Send photos and list dirt, concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, tile, rock, roots, green waste, wood, drywall, trash, and any unknown material separately so Haul’n Off can confirm the correct plan.
What measurements should I send with my quote request?
Send the length, width, average depth, number of matching areas, address and ZIP, material photos, placement photos, access notes, preferred date, rental window, and any street, HOA, parking, tenant, or permit constraint.
What if the soil is wet, unknown, or possibly contaminated?
Stop before loading and describe the source and condition of the soil. Wet, unknown, imported, stained, odorous, or suspected contaminated soil needs separate review and may require a different acceptance or disposal path.
From measurements to a written quote
Share the dimensions, material, address, and access.
Haul’n Off can review the calculator result against the actual soil condition, lowboy plan, placement area, route, schedule, and local requirements.