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.