What hydro excavation typically costs
| Half a day | $1,889–$2,989Exposing a pipe or digging beside utilities. |
|---|---|
| A full day | $3,489–$4,989Larger or deeper digs. |
Typical prices in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in 2026, before tax. They are a guide, not our quote. Too much depends on your home to price these jobs unseen, so your price is set on site, in writing, before any work starts.
When you need it
- The dig is close to gas, electrical or communication lines
- There is no room to get an excavator in
- You need to find and expose a pipe without tearing up the whole yard
What changes the price
| Hours on site | Hydro excavation is priced by truck time, including travel and dumping. |
|---|---|
| Soil | Sand moves fast. Clay, rock and frozen ground are slow. |
| Disposal | The slurry has to be hauled to an approved dump site. |
What the job involves
- Have buried utilities located and marked.
- Position the vacuum truck and run the hose to the dig.
- Loosen the soil with pressurized water while the vacuum removes it, exposing the pipe without touching it.
- Carry out the repair or leave the pipe exposed for it.
- Haul the slurry to an approved site and backfill.
- Time on site
- A few hours to a full day
How pricing works for this job
There is no one price for hydro excavation, because the factors above change it from one home to the next. It starts with an on-site estimate for $269. A Pure Mechanical Group plumber looks at the job and gives you a price in writing, good for 30 days. Approve it and the $269 comes off the price. If you do not go ahead, the fee covers the visit. Anything found once work has started is priced and approved before it is done.
Call 1-800-604-0631.
Questions people ask
How much does hydro excavation cost in Metro Vancouver?
Half a day: $1,889–$2,989. A full day: $3,489–$4,989. Typical prices in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in 2026, before tax. They are a guide, not our quote. Too much depends on your home to price these jobs unseen, so your price is set on site, in writing, before any work starts.
Why not use an excavator?
A bucket cannot feel a gas line or a fibre cable. Water and suction dig around them without breaking them, which is why it is used beside utilities and in tight spaces.
Can the truck reach my back yard?
The truck stays on the street or driveway and the hose runs to the dig. Most back yards are within reach.
Is it messy?
Less than digging. The soil goes into the truck and not onto your lawn, and the hole is only as big as it needs to be.
Is the estimate free?
No. A Pure Mechanical Group plumber comes out, looks at the job and gives you a written estimate. Approve it and the $269 comes off the price. If you do not go ahead, the fee covers the visit.
What if you find something unexpected once work starts?
The estimate is based on what can be seen. Anything found once a wall, floor or the ground is open is shown to you, priced and approved before it is done.
