Full information about digging a trench for the foundation manually and what is the price for workers’ services

Before building any kind of structure, it is imperative to dig a trench for the foundation. The foundation for the project’s stability and longevity is laid by this task. Even though it might seem simple, there are a few crucial things to take into account, particularly if you intend to complete it by hand.

The type of soil is among the first things to consider. The ease of digging can vary depending on the type of soil. For instance, working with clay soil is far more difficult than with sandy soil. For the foundation to be sturdy and long-lasting, the trench’s width and depth must also be exact.

The cost of labor is another important factor. The cost of hiring workers for this physically demanding job varies based on the project’s complexity and your location. Knowing what drives these expenses will make your budgeting more efficient.

We will go into great detail about how to manually dig a trench for a foundation in this article. We’ll go over the resources you’ll need, the procedures to follow, and the elements that affect labor cost. This guide will provide insightful information whether you’re a homeowner seeking to better understand the process or an enthusiast for do-it-yourself projects.

Aspect Details
Manual Digging Process Digging a trench for the foundation manually involves measuring the area, marking the trench lines, and using shovels and other hand tools to excavate the soil. It"s labor-intensive and time-consuming but offers precise control over the depth and shape of the trench.
Advantages Manual digging allows for greater accuracy in following the trench lines, minimizes damage to the surrounding area, and is suitable for smaller projects or areas with limited access for machinery.
Disadvantages This method is physically demanding, slower than using machinery, and may not be practical for large-scale projects. It also requires more labor, which can increase costs.
Cost Factors The cost for manual trench digging services depends on the trench size, soil type, local labor rates, and the complexity of the project. It can range from $20 to $40 per hour per worker.
Typical Pricing For an average-sized trench, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 for manual digging services, considering the duration and labor required.

When is the manual method suitable??

Even though it might seem simple to dig a foundation by hand, this task needs to be left to experts and completed in accordance with the project specifications. Even the smallest infraction against this procedure could have detrimental effects on how the house operates.

It should be highlighted that compared to machine excavation, manual excavation is much more precise and accurate. They enable the greatest possible preservation of the work site’s trees, green spaces, and shrubs.

In these situations, manual trench digging is advised:

  • Close location of engineering communications;
  • small volumes of seizure;
  • horizontal puffing of soil;
  • Sample of the soil after completion of excavator equipment;
  • Tramping strengthening, making slopes.

In the event that I begin working on the trench development with a 0-cycle, exploration surveys are first conducted to identify the unique properties of the soil and create recommendations regarding the technology for recess construction.

A project is implemented with the main recharge parameters established based on research. Its length and width will be determined by the engineering line size for communications or the house’s foundation, as well as the development depth due to the type of soil.

Type of soil The maximum depth of the trench in the absence of slopes (m)
Sandstone 1.0
Suite 1.25
Loam 1.5
Dense clay 2.0

The adhesion power of the soil’s constituent parts varies. This indicator is dependent upon the kind of trench and the depth at which the walls are situated.

When digging deeply, there are significant risks:

  • ditch collapse;
  • breakage of utility networks;
  • destruction of the constructed object;
  • possible loss of life.

Maintaining the ratio of slope height to base and considering the type of soil will be essential during construction to prevent emergency situations.

Soil type Steepness of slopes depending on depth
1.5 m 5 m
Angle between slope directions and horizontal, degrees Ratio of slope height to foundation Angle between slope directions and horizontal, degrees Ratio of slope height to foundation
Sand and gravel 63 1:0.67 38 1:1.25
Loam 90 1:0 53 1:0.75
Sandy loam 76 1:0.25 50 1:0.85
Clay 90 1:0 63 1:0.75

In certain cases, the excavation’s necessary slope cannot be achieved on loose soil. As a result, shields and other kinds of supports are used to reinforce the walls.

A trench excavated by hand is smooth and orderly, but the transportation process removes an excessive amount of surplus soil, increasing the excavation’s width and depth and resulting in an inefficient use of building materials.

Furthermore, trenches that are strictly straight cannot be made with vehicles; instead, they must be leveled by hand.

DIY tools

Measure the volume and get all the tools ready before beginning to dig a trench by hand. The makeup of the team and the difficulty of the task will determine their quantity, kind, and volume of auxiliary materials.

Building supplies and equipment needed to perform an excavation with your hands:

  • wheelbarrow;
  • several shovels: bayonet, drainage, metric and pointed shovels;
  • crowbar and pickaxe;
  • construction measuring instruments: measuring bar with ruler, tape measure, building level and pencil;
  • protective equipment and workwear: glasses, gloves and shoes;
  • wood hacksaw,
  • hammer;
  • stakes for marking;
  • nylon cord.

Manually excavating a trench for a foundation is a labor-intensive process that needs to be carefully planned and carried out. This article offers thorough instructions on how to dig a trench by hand, going over important topics like choosing the appropriate tools, comprehending different types of soil, and making sure measurements are taken correctly. It also deconstructs the usual expenditures related to employing workers for this task, providing homeowners with a clear financial picture. This post will give you the information you need to decide whether to hire professionals or take on a do-it-yourself project involving trench digging for your foundation.

How to choose the right tool?

With a specialized shovel and specially designed tools, trenches are created by hand. Shovels continue to be the primary hand tool used in trench excavation. This tool must be carefully chosen in order to complete the work quickly and to a high standard. This will lessen the amount of soil moved and the labor intensity of the task.

The following are the most common kinds of shovels used in manual excavation:

  1. The bayonet has a flat square bayonet, used when it is necessary to develop heavily compacted earth, and a pointed bayonet for digging up loose soil.
  2. A shovel with a wide flat bayonet with curved sides on the sides is used to collect excavated soil and remove it from the excavation.
  3. Scrapers are used to remove the top layer of vegetation before digging.
  4. Special digging shovels have a rectangular bayonet with a pointed end. It allows you to clear the walls of the trench and at the same time not destroy the nearby land cover.

When choosing the appropriate tool, be mindful of:

  • the main part of the shovel is the bucket;
  • the material from which it is made;
  • blade character.

The bucket is usually constructed from stainless steel or regular steel. While the second one operates with durability, the first one is more affordable.

To test the consumer quality of a ladle’s tip, the easiest and most accessible way is to give it a gentle tap. A quality instrument produces a ringing noise.

Another essential component of the shovel is thought to be its handle. The load on the back and legs, as well as the productivity and efficiency of the work, are all determined by the length of the handle. A short handle, similar to a sappers shovel’s, can be used for minor excavation wall cleaning.

In all other cases, the handle needs to be at least 120–140 cm long, depending on the digger’s height. In order to create a large lever and give space between the body and the working surface, this size is necessary. This will lighten the strain on your back and legs considerably. [asd1] Either metal or wood is used for the handle. The length of the first option can be "adjusted" to the digger’s height, and it is less expensive. The second is more ergonomically designed and has stronger qualities, but metal is not something you should use in the winter.

Visit the link to read more about shovels and other hand tool types.

Process and technology

To ensure that the foundation is constructed in the proper shape, the trench is prepared in accordance with a design that requires exact measurements to be taken at the construction site beforehand.

A typical DIY method for excavating soil:

  1. Mark the excavation contour using stakes and nylon rope.
  2. Selecting soil storage locations.
  3. If other objects are close to the trench, first make sure that digging the soil will not harm their integrity.
  4. Remove the fertile layer of soil and place it at a distance of more than 1 m from the edge of the recess.
  5. You may need to take some soil out in a wheelbarrow and use it in the garden.
  6. To work with a wheelbarrow you will need to install wooden bridges.
  7. Excavate the lower layers of soil and stack them separately from the fertile soil. When placing soil next to a trench, it is very important to ensure that soil does not fall back into the trench.
  8. All soil must be covered from rain to prevent it from washing away and getting wet.
  9. After completing a working day, it is necessary to close the recess to prevent people and animals from accidentally falling into it.
  10. The digging process begins from the outer perimeter, then horizontal excavations are dug directly under the foundation of the load-bearing walls.
  11. If required, the bottom of the excavation is compacted, filled with water, a cushion of sand is poured and compacted again.
  12. Laying waterproofing material.
  13. They strengthen the walls of the ditch with boards with spacers to protect them from collapse or install formwork walls that also protect the walls from collapses.
  14. Check the evenness and dimensions of the completed trench.

The bottom is level after confirming that the excavation matches the design dimensions. A laser level pointed alternately at each ditch corner can be used for this purpose. If you find any minor variations, remove any extra soil layer.

How to speed up the process?

It can be extremely taxing to dig an excavation with a shovel, particularly if one lacks the necessary physical training. Because of this, artisans are working to make their tools better so they can excavate more effectively.

Create a customized shovel for this purpose by cutting the sides with a bayonet so that the overall width is no more than 8 or 9 cm. Digging is made possible without having to stoop. The handle can be extended up to 2 meters. Since it is impossible to remove extra soil from the excavation’s bottom, this shovel needs another attachment. They accomplish this by creating a mechanism that resembles an excavator bucket with the help of an old shovel, a grinder, and a welding machine.

Another option is to use a walk-behind tractor and a homemade device to dig ditches. Numerous projects containing detailed instructions for building a soil cutter at home can be found online.

Advantages and disadvantages

The ability to perform the work yourself is the primary benefit of manual trench digging, as it will enable the owner of the future housing construction to save a substantial amount of money. In situations like this, neighbors, friends, and family typically step in to help.

There are additional benefits to this option:

  • Available set of tools and accessories;
  • the ability to dig an even excavation of the required depth and width;
  • the work is done exactly to size, so there is no excess soil.

Due to its disadvantages, this approach is only employed in dire circumstances, primarily when there is insufficient room for machines to operate and other technological needs.

The duration and high labor intensity of manual trenching are its primary drawbacks, particularly when dealing with heavy clay soil.

Bugs and problems

The most significant errors occur when the developer makes an inaccurate assessment of the soil’s quality during computations. Its features serve as a foundation for figuring out the technology to be used, as well as the depth and cross-sectional shape of the trench beneath the house’s foundation.

Additionally, developers frequently commit the following errors:

  1. The excavation calculations do not take into account important soil parameters: the level of groundwater and the depth of its freezing in the construction area.
  2. When making a shallow foundation under a waterproofing tape, they forget to make a sand cushion with a layer of 25 cm.
  3. The walls of the ditch are not strengthened when working with loose soils.
  4. A narrow excavation of less than 0.7 m was made, which does not cover the width of the main main walls.
  5. The horizontal level of the ditch bottom is not maintained.
  6. The trapezoidal shape for loose soils is not made
  7. The excavated pit is left open for a long time before the foundation is poured.
  8. Improper conservation of a frozen construction site, damage to the foundation due to frost heaving of the soil.

How much do workers" services cost to dig??

Hand trenching is an expensive service; land management projects can cost as much as 10% of a home’s total cost.

The price for one cubic meter in each manual trenching case is determined by several factors:

  • Characteristics of soil and relief;
  • depth of recess;
  • availability of space for work;
  • technological map of the digging process;
  • the possibility of using special equipment and devices;
  • urgency of work.

In addition, costs are influenced by the climate in the building regions; the north and east of the nation have higher prices. The Moscow area has the highest prices in the central region of Russia. In winter, the cost of services typically doubles, but the contractor can offer discounts of up to 100 rubles per square meter for large volumes.

Manually excavating a trench for a foundation is a labor-intensive process that needs to be carefully planned and carried out. It entails marking and measuring the space, making sure the depth and width are accurate, and effectively removing soil. Any structure’s stability and longevity depend on this process.

The size and depth of the trench, the kind of soil, and local labor costs are some of the variables that can affect the cost of hiring workers for this task. Usually, laborers bill by the hour or by the quantity of dirt removed in cubic meters. Obtaining multiple quotes and verifying the workers’ experience and dependability are important.

Even though digging by hand can take longer than using machinery, it may be a more practical choice for smaller projects or locations with restricted access. It can also provide more control and accuracy over the excavation process, which is essential to guaranteeing the proper laying of the foundation.

All things considered, knowing the nuances of manual trench digging and the related expenses will assist you in making wise choices for your building endeavor. It is possible to save time, lower risks, and guarantee a strong foundation for your building by investing in skilled labor and careful planning.

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Timur Kiselev

Professional builder with 15 years of experience. I know everything about the construction of houses, cottages, bathhouses and other buildings. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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