Cut and fill estimating without the mystery

Cut/fill is geometry, not magic. Here's the practical method that works for sitework bids without an expensive earthwork-only platform.

1. The existing ground surface (existing topo) 2. The proposed finish surface (grading plan) 3. A method to compute the volume between the two

Specialized earthwork software builds a triangulated mesh from the existing topo and subtracts the proposed mesh. Those tools exist as dedicated platforms. If you're a sitework specialist with constant cut/fill scope, buy one of those.

For most concrete and earthwork contractors, you don't need that level of precision on every bid. You need a method that gives you a defensible number in 30 minutes.

1. Overlay a grid on the site (50' × 50' is a good starting size for a 5-acre site). 2. At each grid intersection, read the existing elevation and the proposed elevation. Note the difference (cut is +, fill is −). 3. Average the four corners of each grid square. That's the average depth. 4. Multiply by the grid square area. That's the volume. 5. Sum all squares.

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