An RV pad beside the house, a wider driveway, a sport court or a shed slab all start the same way: dig out the soft top layer, bring the ground to grade, build up and compact a base, and leave a flat, firm surface for gravel or concrete.
Steps
- Lay it out.Mark the pad and check the setbacks, HOA rules and any easement.
- Excavate.Remove topsoil, roots and soft material to the planned depth.
- Grade for water.Slope the pad so runoff goes away from the house and walls.
- Build the base.Place and compact base material in lifts.
- Haul the extra.Dirt that comes out has to go somewhere. See hauling.
Prices
Angi's Phoenix-area guide puts a typical excavation job at $1,844 to $6,083, with leveling at $5 to $15 per cubic yard, hauling at $10 to $30 per cubic yard and an operated machine at $105 to $260 an hour. The gravel or concrete on top is priced separately.
RV gates
An RV pad usually means a wide gate, and wide gates on a pool lot fall under Gilbert's barrier rule: a double-width gate that isn't the only way in or out stays padlocked when not in use. See pool fence and setbacks.
Sources
- Angi: Excavation costs in Phoenix, AZ (updated June 16, 2026)
- Town of Gilbert: Swimming pool / spa barrier clarification policy (April 22, 2003) with Land Development Code section 5.2.7
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
What does an RV pad excavation cost?
We don't have a Gilbert price list. Angi's Phoenix-area guide lists leveling at $5 to $15 per cubic yard and hauling at $10 to $30 per cubic yard, with machine time at $105 to $260 an hour.
Get your pad quoted
Fill in the form or give us a call, and a local excavation contractor will be in touch. There's no cost to ask.
If it goes to voicemail, leave your name, number and address, and tell us what you need dug or moved.