Hydrovac Excavation
The $500K-a-truck business that digs up America's buried infrastructure
Hydrovac excavation uses pressurized water and a vacuum system to safely expose underground utilities without risk of hitting gas lines, fiber, or electrical conduits. Every construction project near utilities is legally required to use safe digging methods — and hydrovac is the gold standard. A well-run truck generates $300K–$500K/year, and a 3-truck operation can generate $1M+ with one operator-manager. The global market is growing at 5%+ CAGR as infrastructure spending accelerates.
Avg Revenue
$700K
Profit Margin
28%
Acquisition Multiple
2.5x - 4x
Startup Cost
$300K - $800K
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
Contractors, utilities, and municipalities hire hydrovac companies to expose underground lines before digging. Jobs are charged by the hour ($250–$500/hr) or by the project. Trucks can run 2,000+ billable hours per year in active markets. Government infrastructure contracts provide recurring, predictable revenue.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 238910 · Site Preparation Contractors
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | WA | $1.6M | $1.9M | 11 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NJ | $1.1M | $1.2M | — | — |
| Dec 2025 | WI | $1.4M | $1.6M | 13 | — |
| Nov 2025 | NY | $3.1M | $3.7M | 22 | — |
| Nov 2025 | NY | $400K | $471K | 22 | — |
| Sep 2025 | IN | $600K | $706K | 28 | — |
| Sep 2025 | AR | $150K | $177K | 12 | — |
| Sep 2025 | AR | $2.5M | $3.0M | 12 | — |
| Sep 2025 | NJ | $2.2M | $2.6M | 14 | — |
| Aug 2025 | CO | $1.2M | $1.4M | 36 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Mandatory compliance work — contractors cannot legally skip it
- +Infrastructure spending tailwind drives long-term demand
- +High hourly rates with government and utility contracts
- +Competitive barrier: equipment cost keeps casual entrants out
Cons
- -Truck cost of $400K–$700K new creates capital requirement
- -Maintenance-intensive equipment with high downtime risk
- -Requires CDL drivers and specialized operator training
Best For
Operators with civil construction experience or existing relationships with utilities and contractors
Operating Costs
Operating costs run $100K–$200K per truck per year: fuel, maintenance, insurance, CDL driver wages, and disposal fees for excavated material.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find excavation and hydrovac businesses for sale
Browse excavation company acquisitions nationwide
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $1.8M–$2.8M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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