1. Gather your plans
For foundations and additions, have the site plan and foundation plan from your architect, engineer, or builder. Dimensions, depths, and finished elevations let the estimate reflect the actual dig instead of an assumption.
- Site plan showing the structure's location and setbacks
- Foundation dimensions and footing depth
- Finished floor and grade elevations, if available
- Septic, well, and utility locations
2. Start permits with your municipality
Building and excavation permits in Pennsylvania are generally issued by your local municipality. Contact your township or borough early, because review takes time. Ask whether your project also needs an erosion and sediment control plan; PA DEP's program page and your county conservation district explain when that applies.
3. Plan for PA One Call
Pennsylvania requires a PA One Call request before any excavation so facility owners can mark underground lines. Requests must be placed several business days ahead. Private lines you installed, such as a line to a detached garage or a well pump, are usually not marked by utilities, so locate and note them yourself.
4. Think about access and material
Equipment needs a route in and room to work. Trucks need somewhere to load or dump. Decide where spoil can be stockpiled and whether extra soil stays on site or leaves; hauling is often a significant part of the cost.
- Gate widths, overhead wires, and soft or septic areas to avoid
- Trees or brush that must be cleared first
- Where excavated material can sit until backfill
- Whether topsoil should be stripped and saved
5. Know what the estimate cannot see
Rock, groundwater, and buried debris are often unknown until digging begins. Ask how unexpected conditions would be handled and communicated, so a change does not become a dispute.
Sources
Official resources referenced in this guide.
Common questions
Can I get an estimate before permits are approved?
Yes. An estimate helps you budget while permits move through review. Just make sure the plans you show match what is being permitted.
How far ahead should utility marking be requested?
PA One Call requires notice several business days before digging. Check pa1call.org for the current rules.
What if the plans change after the estimate?
Share the revised plans. Changes to depth, footprint, or grade can change the price.
Does Keystone do the clearing before excavation?
Yes. Lot clearing and site preparation are part of what Keystone offers, so one crew can handle the sequence.