On acreage, utility runs get long: a water line from the well or meter, power from the pole, irrigation to a pasture or orchard. Long trenches make per-foot pricing matter.
Prices per foot
| Trench | HomeAdvisor, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Standard | $5 to $12 per foot |
| Large or difficult | $13 to $40 per foot |
| 100 feet | $1,300 to $4,000 |
| Average job | $950 |
At $5 to $12 a foot, a 500-foot run would be about $2,500 to $6,000 before pipe or wire, by our arithmetic. HomeAdvisor suggests a 15 to 20 percent contingency for problems such as rock.
Depths
HomeAdvisor gives about 24 inches for water supply lines and about 36 inches for drainage pipe.
811
Arizona 811 applies to homeowners and contractors alike. Utilities respond within two working days at most, and marks last 15 working days. See Arizona 811.
Licensing
The Registrar of Contractors covers pipe trenching under A-12 and R-37R and irrigation trenching under R-21 and C-21.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor: How much does trenching cost? (updated June 19, 2026)
- Arizona Corporation Commission, Office of Pipeline Safety: Underground Facilities Law
- Arizona Revised Statutes 40-360.22: Excavations; determining location of underground facilities
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors: License Classifications
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
How much does a long trench cost?
HomeAdvisor's 2026 guide lists standard trenching at $5 to $12 per foot. A 500-foot run would be about $2,500 to $6,000 at those rates, before materials.
Get your trench quoted
Give us a call or send the form, and a contractor who works in western Pinal County will get back to you. Quotes are free.
On voicemail, leave your name, number, where the property is and the job you have in mind.