Digging a trench may take 12 hours for 100 feet linear trench . However, this depends on digging speed and shovel. How long will it take to dig a trench? The answer depends on several factors:

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One factor is the kind of trench you want to dig: A narrow trench for electrical lines (2 feet wide by 2 inches deep) or a wide one for gas lines (4 feet wide by 4 inches deep)? Or is it a long narrow trench for a water line (8 feet wide by 2 inches deep) or a long narrow trench for sewer lines (6 feet wide by 4 inches deep)? The depth is also important. Is it going to be relatively shallow, at 1 foot deep? Or will it be an extremely deep trench, around 50 feet? The length of the trench is also important since the longer it is, the more time it will take. For example, a 100-foot long trench could take 12 hours to dig – assuming it’s 4 feet wide by 4 inches deep.

The specific model of shovel you use will affect how long it takes to dig a trench. If you’re using a regular contractor’s pick, such as the Cast Wrought Iron Handle Straight Steel Shovel (hands-on), then you can expect to take around 20 minutes per foot of depth for normal earth – which is approximately the same time as it’ll take you to dig a 3-foot deep trench. If you’re digging through hard soil (such as clay) or rock, however, you’ll need to use a shovel with a larger blade, such as the Trenching Shovel (hands-on), which can handle much more resistant substances and will dig your trench in significantly less time – around 16 minutes per foot of depth.

One factor that is sometimes overlooked when it comes to measuring time is the frequency with which you can make your digging motions. For example, if you are digging a shallow trench for electrical lines, then you’ll only be able to use a hand shovel – but hand shovels are significantly lighter than larger tools.