If your trench or excavated areas are in widths suitable for a bobcat bucket (48" - 60" depending on the [model][1]) then rent one of those for a day. More fun than you can imagine and good for moving any bulk item in quantity.

Otherwise it is hand dig time. A good wheelbarrow and dump bin located close to the work area are time and labour savers.

When calculating volumes add or subtract a factor of one third to account for fluffing up of removed material and compaction of newly added material.

I also highly recommend a laser level and willing accomplice. Nothing says professional more than straight and level where called for.

You don't say what you want to do with the trench. I know I would want to install my good friend [4" drain pipe with sleeve][2]. You may have a positive grade to shed water from your roof away from the house but nothing says peace of mind better during that one in a hundred year storm than drain pipe installed around the perimeter.

By the way, if you are going to do a walkway in any part of the world where it gets cold you will want to provide a good base and dig deeper to do this. Please provide more details. [1]: http://www.ritchiespecs.com/specification?type=Co&category=Skid%20Steer%20Loader&make=Bobcat&model=S130&modelid=92186 [2]: http://www.homedepot.com/p/4-in-x-100-ft-Corex-Drain-Pipe-Perforated-with-Sock-04730100BS/100129255

If your trench or excavated areas are in widths suitable for a bobcat bucket (48" - 60" depending on the model) then rent one of those for a day. More fun than you can imagine and good for moving any bulk item in quantity.

Otherwise it is hand dig time. A good wheelbarrow and dump bin located close to the work area are time and labour savers.

When calculating volumes add or subtract a factor of one third to account for fluffing up of removed material and compaction of newly added material.

I also highly recommend a laser level and willing accomplice. Nothing says professional more than straight and level where called for.

You don't say what you want to do with the trench. I know I would want to install my good friend 4" drain pipe with sleeve. You may have a positive grade to shed water from your roof away from the house but nothing says peace of mind better during that one in a hundred year storm than drain pipe installed around the perimeter.

By the way, if you are going to do a walkway in any part of the world where it gets cold you will want to provide a good base and dig deeper to do this. Please provide more details.

If your trench or excavated areas are in widths suitable for a bobcat bucket (48" - 60" depending on the model) then rent one of those for a day. More fun than you can imagine and good for moving any bulk item in quantity.

Otherwise it is hand dig time. A good wheelbarrow and dump bin located close to the work area are time and labour savers.

When calculating volumes add or subtract a factor of one third to account for fluffing up of removed material and compaction of newly added material.

I also highly recommend a laser level and willing accomplice. Nothing says professional more than straight and level where called for.

You don't say what you want to do with the trench. I know I would want to install my good friend 4" drain pipe with sleeve. You may have a positive grade to shed water from your roof away from the house but nothing says peace of mind better during that one in a hundred year storm than drain pipe installed around the perimeter.

If your trench or excavated areas are in widths suitable for a bobcat bucket (48" - 60" depending on the [model][1]) then rent one of those for a day. More fun than you can imagine and good for moving any bulk item in quantity.

Otherwise it is hand dig time. A good wheelbarrow and dump bin located close to the work area are time and labour savers.

When calculating volumes add or subtract a factor of one third to account for fluffing up of removed material and compaction of newly added material.

I also highly recommend a laser level and willing accomplice. Nothing says professional more than straight and level where called for.

You don't say what you want to do with the trench. I know I would want to install my good friend [4" drain pipe with sleeve][2]. You may have a positive grade to shed water from your roof away from the house but nothing says peace of mind better during that one in a hundred year storm than drain pipe installed around the perimeter.

By the way, if you are going to do a walkway in any part of the world where it gets cold you will want to provide a good base and dig deeper to do this. Please provide more details. [1]: http://www.ritchiespecs.com/specification?type=Co&category=Skid%20Steer%20Loader&make=Bobcat&model=S130&modelid=92186 [2]: http://www.homedepot.com/p/4-in-x-100-ft-Corex-Drain-Pipe-Perforated-with-Sock-04730100BS/100129255