Trades Invoice Template

Free Excavation Contractor Invoice Template

Invoice clients for excavation, groundworks, and earthmoving projects. Professional invoices from Tidybill.

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What is an Excavation Contractor invoice?

An excavation contractor invoice covers work carrying out groundworks and earthmoving using excavators, dumpers, and compaction equipment. Excavation contractors prepare sites for construction, dig foundations and service trenches, carry out bulk earthworks, install drainage, and create subbase layers for roads and hard standings. Material costs (aggregates, concrete, drainage pipes) and plant hire are typically the largest components of excavation invoices. Disposal of excavated material is priced separately unless the client has space for spoil on site. Excavation contractors dealing with larger projects are subject to CIS and must manage their waste carrier registration for spoil disposal.

What to include on an Excavation Contractor invoice

Common excavation contractor invoice line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Excavation labour and plant (day rate) 600 day
Excavation (per m³) 20
Spoil disposal (per m³ including tip fees) 25
Hardcore supply and compact (per m³) 40
Drainage installation (per m) 45 m
Plant hire (8-tonne excavator + driver) 500 day

How to invoice as an excavation contractor

Invoice at completion of each phase: site clearance, bulk excavation, drainage, sub-base. List plant by type and days used. List materials with quantities and unit prices. Spoil disposal should be a separate line item with approximate tonnage noted. Attach tip receipts where applicable. CIS deductions apply if subcontracting to a main contractor.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I price excavation work?
Excavation is typically priced by day rate for plant and labour or per m³ for bulk earthworks. A day rate for an 8-tonne excavator with operator and dump truck runs £500-£700/day. Per-m³ pricing for bulk dig and dispose runs £30-£50/m³ depending on soil type and disposal distance.
Do I need a Waste Carrier licence for spoil removal?
Yes. Excavated material is waste. Transporting it requires Environment Agency Waste Carrier registration. Your registration number should appear on invoices that include spoil removal.
How do I handle unexpected buried services?
If you discover unrecorded services (cables, pipes), stop work immediately and notify the client and statutory undertakers. Additional time spent on investigation and safe excavation around services is billable. Issue a variation before continuing.
What insurance do excavation contractors need?
Public liability (minimum £2 million), employer's liability (if you have employees), and plant insurance for owned machinery. For large groundworks projects, Contractor's All Risks is advisable.
What ground investigation should I carry out before quoting?
A site visit and, for larger jobs, review of available trial pit or borehole data helps identify ground conditions that affect excavation speed (rock, contamination, groundwater). Note ground condition assumptions in your quote and issue a variation if conditions differ significantly.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Tidybill's free plan lets you create up to 5 invoices per month at no cost, with no credit card required. You can use the Excavation Contractor invoice template straight away after signing up.