Dirt Dollars Gone: Haul‑Off Costs in FL vs NC vs GA (What No One Tells You)
The Silent Budget Killer: Soil Export
When it comes to land development, soil export isn’t just about moving dirt—it’s a hidden budget-breaker that can derail your project’s bottom line. Many developers underestimate the true cost of dirt removal, only to be blindsided by cost overruns in excavation, hauling, and dumping fees. Understanding regional differences in haul-off costs is essential for effective land development budgeting and sitework cost avoidance.
Breaking Down Haul-Off Costs: Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina
Let’s look at real 2024–2025 data for soil export and import costs in three key states:
Florida (FL):
Excavation/Loading: $3 - $6 per cubic yard (CY)
Truck Haul-Off (10–20 mi): $12 - $18/CY
Dumping/Tipping Fees: $10 - $20/CY
Fill Dirt Delivery (Import): $18 - $35/CY (includes trucking)
Total Export Cost: $25 - $44/CY
Total Import Cost: $18 - $35/CY
In a residential subdivision project we did for a client a while back, our mass grading plan was based on incorrect topo data. After we received the revised topo survey, our net volume reduced by 600 CY. Using this excess volume, the export/import figures would be:
Export: $15,000 - $26,400
Import: $10,800 - $21,000
Georgia (GA):
Excavation/Loading: $4 - $7/CY
Truck Haul-Off (10–20 mi): $15 - $22/CY
Dumping/Tipping Fees: $10 - $25/CY
Fill Dirt Delivery (Import): $24 - $40/CY
Total Export Cost: $29 - $54/CY
Total Import Cost: $24 - $40/CY
For 600 CY of soil:
Export: $17,400 - $32,400
Import: $14,400 - $24,000
North Carolina (NC):
Excavation/Loading: $4 - $8/CY
Truck Haul-Off (10–20 mi): $16 - $24/CY
Dumping/Tipping Fees: $25 - $40/CY
Fill Dirt Delivery (Import): $28 - $45/CY
Total Export Cost: $45 - $72/CY
Total Import Cost: $28 - $45/CY
For 600 CY of soil:
Export: $27,000 - $43,200
Import: $16,800 - $27,000
Why Do Haul-Off Costs Vary So Much?
Florida is generally more forgiving due to flat topography and a good supply of fill dirt, which keeps costs lower.
Georgia sees price swings between rural and urban areas—metro Atlanta faces higher demand and longer hauls, while rural areas may have lower tipping fees but higher transport costs.
North Carolina is the most expensive, mainly due to landfill scarcity and long-haul rates, especially around Raleigh and Charlotte. Site constraints and environmental regulations can further drive up costs.
The Real Impact: What Else Could You Do With That Money?
Imagine what $26,400 (FL), $32,400 (GA), or $43,200 (NC) could buy instead of just moving dirt:
Fully furnish your leasing office in uptown style.
Install beautiful stone veneer instead of basic stucco.
Hire an extra crew to finish ahead of schedule (and still have money for Bojangles every Friday!).
Pay for site lighting, landscaping, or even a new F-150 for your site manager.
The Importance of Detailed Site Investigations
Before you even start grading, invest in a thorough site investigation:
Geotechnical Analysis: Know your soil types and whether on-site soils can be reused as fill.
Topographic Survey: Use accurate digital terrain models (DTMs) to calculate cut and fill volumes.
Environmental Assessment: Identify contaminated soils or wetlands early to avoid costly surprises.
Optimizing Grading Plans for Cost Savings
Design your grading plans to minimize cut and export, not just for balance. Strategies include:
Contour Grading: Adjust site contours to balance cut and fill.
Terracing and Retaining Walls: Reduce the need for extensive grading and export.
Importing Select Fill: Sometimes, bringing in the right fill is cheaper than exporting unsuitable soil.
Value Engineering: Turning Dirt Dollars Into Real Value
Value engineering for land development is about reviewing your design to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Consider:
Soil Stabilization: Improve on-site soils with lime, cement, or geotextiles.
Alternative Disposal: Explore soil recycling or beneficial reuse to lower tipping fees.
Contractor Negotiation: Get multiple bids and negotiate for the best rates.
Leveraging Technology for Sitework Cost Avoidance
Modern technology can help you save thousands:
GPS-Guided Equipment: Increases grading accuracy and reduces rework.
3D Modeling Software: Optimizes grading plans and visualizes site changes.
Drone Surveys: Quickly collect accurate topographic data for better planning.
Key Takeaways for Land Developers
Even a modest 600 CY excess can mean up to $43K lost.
Larger sites (2,500 CY) could waste $125K - $287K.
NC’s high waste cost reflects landfill scarcity and long-haul rates.
GA’s costs vary widely between rural and urban projects.
FL is the most cost-effective, but haul-offs still erode profit.
What You Can Do Next
Design grading plans to minimize export.
Ask upfront: “How many CY will need hauling and at what rate?”
Pressure-test haul distances and dump fees—don’t assume local rates.
Use value engineering early to save tens (or hundreds) of thousands before dirt moves.
Don’t let soil export costs eat your budget. With the right planning, value engineering, and technology, you can keep your project on track and your profits intact.
🔧 Ready to turn dirt dollars into real value?
Schedule your personalized Civil Sitework Strategy Session with our expert team today.