Excavate trench by backhoe, n.e. 1.5m deep, trim by hand: cost per m³ in Nigeria
Net unit rate in Abuja, excluding overheads, profit and VAT
₦5,277per m³
Tender rate about ₦7,043 per m³ with overheads, contingency, profit and VAT.
Price a BoQ with this rateAs at 15 October 2026, the net unit rate for excavate trench by backhoe, n.e. 1.5m deep, trim by hand is ₦5,277 per m³ in Abuja: ₦0 materials, ₦344 labour and ₦4,933 plant. With overheads (7.5%), contingency (5%), profit (10%) and VAT (7.5%) the tender rate is about ₦7,043 per m³.
Rate build-up (Abuja, Oct 2026)
| Resource type | Resource | Quantity per unit | Waste | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant (days) | Backhoe loader (JCB 3CX/3DX class) | 0.01 day | - | ₦493,290 | ₦4,933 |
| Labour (hours) | Unskilled labourer | 0.3 h | - | ₦1,146 | ₦344 |
| Materials | ₦0 | ||||
| Labour | ₦344 | ||||
| Plant | ₦4,933 | ||||
| Net unit rate per m³ | ₦5,277 |
Rate by location
Materials, labour and plant are adjusted separately with Buildocrat's location factors.
| Location | Net rate per m³ | Tender rate incl. OH&P and VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Abuja (FCT) | ₦5,277 | ₦7,043 |
| Lagos | ₦5,551 | ₦7,409 |
| Port Harcourt | ₦5,654 | ₦7,547 |
| Ibadan | ₦4,961 | ₦6,622 |
| Osogbo (Osun) | ₦5,043 | ₦6,731 |
| Kano | ₦4,944 | ₦6,599 |
| Kaduna | ₦4,954 | ₦6,613 |
| Enugu | ₦5,109 | ₦6,820 |
| Benin City | ₦5,215 | ₦6,961 |
| Uyo | ₦5,373 | ₦7,172 |
| Jos | ₦5,053 | ₦6,745 |
| Riverine / creek site | ₦7,284 | ₦9,723 |
Related earthworks rates
- A01 Clear site of bush and shrubs, remove arisings₦172 per m²
- A14 Clear site by bulldozer incl. grubbing roots₦119 per m²
- A02 Excavate trench for strip foundation by hand, n.e. 1.5m deep, normal soil₦4,585 per m³
- A03 Bulk excavation by machine n.e. 2m deep, deposit in spoil heap on site₦2,874 per m³
- A10 Excavate in rock using excavator-mounted breaker₦40,706 per m³
- A15 Load and cart away surplus spoil to tip n.e. 10km₦8,418 per m³
- A11 Keep excavations free of water - 3" pump incl. attendance₦26,656 per day
- A04 Backfill with selected excavated material, compacted in 150mm layers₦2,899 per m³
- A05 Imported laterite filling, compacted in 150mm layers₦12,309 per m³
- A13 Imported sand filling, compacted in 150mm layers₦9,402 per m³
- A06 Hardcore bed 150mm thick, blinded with stone dust, compacted₦4,123 per m²
- A12 Level and compact bottom of excavation / formation₦196 per m²
- A07 Anti-termite treatment to formation₦717 per m²
- A08 1000g polythene DPM with 150mm laps₦390 per m²
Frequently asked questions
How much does excavate trench by backhoe, n.e. 1.5m deep, trim by hand cost per m³ in Nigeria?
About ₦5,277 per m³ net in Abuja as at 15 October 2026, or about ₦7,043 per m³ as a tender rate including overheads, contingency, profit and VAT (Buildocrat Nigeria Construction Rate Book).
What is the rate in Lagos?
Applying Buildocrat's Lagos location factors, the net rate is about ₦5,551 per m³ and the tender rate about ₦7,409 per m³.
What does the rate include?
Materials (no materials) with waste allowances; labour (Unskilled labourer) at all-in rates including feeding, transport, idle time and statutory costs; and plant (Backhoe loader (JCB 3CX/3DX class)) including fuel and operator. Overheads, profit and VAT are excluded from the net rate.
How to cite: Buildocrat, Nigeria Construction Rate Book, https://rates.buildocrat.store/rates/a09-excavate-trench-by-backhoe-n-e-1-5m-deep-trim-by-hand/, prices as at 15 October 2026.