Pricing

Civwil Pricing Guide

Reliable Price Ranges for Builders and Developers in Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay & Scenic Rim

At Civwil, we know how valuable it is to get a quick, accurate estimate when you're planning a project. That’s why we’ve made our most requested civil construction and earthworks pricing public—so you can plan with clarity and confidence.

These indicative rates reflect typical inclusions, average site conditions, and our experience across Southeast Queensland. For tailored pricing, we always recommend getting a formal quote.

General rates

Preliminaries (includes mobilisation, site setup, level 1 compaction & survey)

  • Large sites > 6,000 m²: $0.50 – $0.70 /m²

  • Medium sites 2,000–6,000 m²: $2.80 – $3.60 /m²

  • Small sites < 2,000 m²: $7.00 – $9.00 /m²

Small projects often include fixed overheads (e.g. mobilisation, site establishment, survey) that do not scale down linearly with site area, resulting in higher per m² costs. However, once initial setup is absorbed, cost per additional m² declines sharply. Civwil applies a scalable delivery model to ensure costs are fair across all project sizes.

Erosion & Sediment Control (includes silt fence, traps, bunds, logs, maintenance)

Civwil has successfully delivered erosion management on high-risk sites across Logan, Ipswich, and Brisbane’s western corridor.

  • Large sites > 6,000 m²: $1.50 – $2.25 /m²

  • Medium sites 2,000–6,000 m²: $2.00 – $2.50 /m²

  • Small sites < 2,000 m²: $5.00 – $6.00 /m²

Effective erosion control is essential to keeping your site compliant and protecting downstream assets. ESC systems must often meet strict environmental compliance regardless of scale, leading to disproportionately higher per m² costs on compact sites. Bulk installation of ESC measures (e.g. silt fencing, entry bunds, sediment basins) results in lower marginal cost per m². However, larger sites typically span more hectares and may require engineered water management solutions, especially where topography and soil permeability demand larger or more complex containment systems.

Bulk Earthworks

Civwil offers practical, production-based pricing for bulk earthworks that aligns with real site conditions and typical soil classifications across South-East Queensland. All prices below exclude GST and are based on net cut volumes (in-situ).

    • Vegetation Strip & Topsoil Removal (100mm thickness): $6.10 /m²
      Includes stripping of grassed topsoil and legal disposal at licensed facilities.

    • Cut to Fill (Excavate, Reuse Onsite, Compact): $36.00 /m³
      Excavation of site-won material, placed in controlled layers and compacted to geotechnical spec.

    • Cut to Level (Clay): $15.00 /m³
      Suitable for levelling platforms, carparks, or subgrades where fill is not reused.

    • Disposal of Clean Clay Offsite: $20.00 /m³
      Includes loading, haulage, and tipping of inert spoil at approved clean fill site.

  • Excavating sandstone introduces a notable cost increase compared to standard earthworks due to the material's hardness and the specialised methods required. Civwil’s pricing reflects real-world production rates based on site conditions and project scope.

    Bulk Excavation
    Applies to large, open areas such as site cuts or basement excavations where full-size equipment can operate effectively.

    • Excavation: $69/m³

    • Disposal of stone < 300mm: $20–29/m³

    Trench Excavation
    Suited for narrow, constrained areas with limited working room—typically for services or footings near structures.

    • Excavation: $99/m³

    • Disposal of stone < 300mm: $20–29/m³


    Sandstone excavation typically requires hydraulic breakers, diamond saws, or controlled blasting. It is substantially slower and more wear-intensive than typical soil or clay excavation.

All rates exclude GST and are based on net cut volumes.

Rock excavation surcharges typically range between $69–99/m³, with trenching around 45% more expensive than bulk excavation due to tighter tolerances, higher labour intensity, and increased equipment wear. These rates should be treated as indicative; site-specific geotechnical reports or trial digs are recommended for accurate forecasting.

Construction site with multiple yellow excavators working on dirt and mud, under cloudy sky.
Brisbane bulk earthworks

Pricing Considerations in Civil Works

All stormwater pipe prices include excavation, bedding, installation, and backfill to council standard.

Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP)

Supply and install

Size & Class

RCP 225 > Cl.4

RCP 300 > Cl.4

RCP 375 < Cl.4

RCP 450 > Cl.4

RCP 525 > Cl.3

RCP 600 > Cl.3

RCP 675 > Cl.2

Key Cost Factors

Stormwater Drainage Installation (RCP & HDPE)

Stormwater drainage installation rates vary primarily based on pipe size, material type, and installation depth. While larger projects may benefit from economies of scale, excavation depth above 1.5 metres is the most significant cost driver due to safety compliance measures required under Australian standards.

  • When installation depth exceeds 1.5 metres, rates increase by approximately 10–20%, reflecting the need for additional safety controls such as:

    • Benching or battering of trench walls

    • Installation of temporary shoring or structural supports

    • Higher excavation and backfill volumes
      This is especially critical in civil construction where soil stability and kPa loadings from surrounding earth must be managed.

    • Reinforced Concrete Pipes (RCP) are more expensive to install than HDPE pipes, particularly in deeper excavations. This is due to their weight, handling requirements, and more complex bedding and compaction procedures.

    • As pipe diameter increases, so does the price per metre, with RCP 675mm > Cl.2 reaching up to $573/m at depths >1.5m.

    • Corrugated HDPE pipes offer a more cost-effective solution, especially for shallower systems, starting from $146/m for 225mm and reaching $396/m for 600mm installations

Size

HDPE 225

HDPE 300

HDPE 375

HDPE 450

HDPE 525

HDPE 600

Depth < 1.5m

$314 / m

$319 / m

$341 / m

$374 / m

$399 / m

$516 / m

$555 / m

Depth 1.5 – 3m

$373 / m

$378 / m

$393 / m

$426 / m

$452 / m

$534 / m

$573 / m

Corrugated Pipe (HDPE)

Supply and install

Depth < 1.5m

$146 / m

$188 / m

$218 / m

$253 / m

$317 / m

$396 / m

Tip: When planning your stormwater system, minimising trench depth can help control costs. Trench depth is one of the biggest drivers of stormwater pricing—especially on large sites or where RCP is specified.

Civwil Equipment & Operator Rates

Civwil owns and operates a wide range of modern, GPS-equipped civil construction equipment. Our plant is operated by experienced professionals who understand safety, compliance, and project delivery.

Aerial view of a construction site with heavy machinery, materials, and dug-up soil, surrounded by residential houses and green fields.