By HomeGuide's national 2026 figures, foundation excavation for a new home costs $1,500 to $10,000 and a basement dig $10,000 to $30,000. Rock and slope push Pittsburgh jobs up.
Prices on this page are national ranges from HomeGuide, not quotes from us. On Pittsburgh lots, the slope, the rock, the access up the street and the distance to the dump change the real number. Figures checked October 2026.
How much is foundation excavation for a new home?
Foundation excavation for a new home is $1,500 to $10,000 nationally and can top $20,000 in rocky soil, per HomeGuide. That is only the dig. An unfinished basement foundation costs $70,000 to $100,000 and a slab $12,000 to $28,000 for 2,000 square feet.
What does digging a basement cost?
Digging a basement for new construction costs $10,000 to $30,000 by HomeGuide's basement section, and difficult or rocky sites 8 to 12 feet deep run $30,000 to $50,000 or more. HomeGuide's project table shows a lower figure, but the basement section applies, and it covers excavation and grading only.
Can you dig out a crawl space or lower a basement floor deeper?
Yes, but it is a structural job. HomeGuide puts excavating a new basement under an existing crawl space house at $20,000 to $45,000 or more for the dig alone. Lowering a floor deeper means underpinning the old footings, with an engineer's design and a permit.
What does it cost to dig around the foundation for repairs?
To dig around an existing foundation for repairs or waterproofing costs $5,000 to $15,000, or $100 to $250 per linear foot, by HomeGuide. On a hillside, the uphill wall is usually the deepest and most expensive side to open.
How far from the basement wall do you excavate?
We excavate as far from the wall as the crew needs, usually two to three feet at the bottom, and wider at the top where the trench is sloped back. Below about five feet, the sides are sloped or shored so they cannot cave in.
Can you dig next to an old foundation without damaging it?
Yes. Old Pittsburgh foundations are often stone or block, so we expose them in short sections, never dig below the footing, and backfill each section before opening the next. Water is pumped out of the trench so it does not soften the soil under the wall.
How deep do footings have to be around Pittsburgh?
Footings must reach below the frost depth set by the building code your municipality enforces, and the plans set the exact depth. On many hillside lots the footing also has to bear on firm shale or sandstone, which can mean going deeper. We dig to the plans; the inspector checks it.
What does backfill around a new foundation cost in Pittsburgh?
Backfill is usually in the excavation price; extra backfill delivered runs $5 to $25 per cubic yard by HomeGuide. On the uphill side we use drain stone and a footer drain, so water seeping out of the hill drains away instead of pushing on the wall.
If my foundation cracks after nearby excavation, who is responsible?
Who is responsible when a foundation cracks after nearby excavation depends on the cause, which an engineer must judge. Photograph and measure the crack with dates, and notify the neighbor and contractor in writing right away. Slow hillside movement causes cracks too, so earlier photos matter. This is general information, not legal advice.
What does it cost to dig a walkout basement entrance?
There is no HomeGuide price for a walkout entrance. Many Pittsburgh houses already sit on slopes that suit one, so the dig is often modest: close to excavating around a foundation, $100 to $250 per linear foot, plus cutting the wall and any retaining walls, which an engineer designs.
For a price on your own property, call or text (412) 501-2259. We see the site, then give you the scope and price in writing.