How Much Does It Cost to Deliver Topsoil, Dirt, Sand, Mulch, or Rock?

How to Calculate Your Coverage Needs

You have a big project on your hands and want to estimate the costs to prepare a budget, especially if you have a big yard. For example, you may be wondering: how much is a yard of soil? To figure out the answer, you can use the topsoil calculator or follow these steps:

1. Measure the length and width of the area in feet.

2. Multiply length and width to obtain square footage.

3. Multiply the square footage by the depth of topsoil you need in feet. For example, if you need 3 inches of topsoil, multiply your square footage by 1/4 foot to get cubic feet.

4. Divide the total cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.

Example: An area 20-feet long by 10-feet wide with 3 inches of soil: 20 feet x 10 feet = 200 square feet x 0.25 feet of soil = 50 cubic feet / 27 = 1.85 cubic yards

How Much Does a Yard Cover?

With a depth of 1 inch, 1 cubic yard of soil covers 324 square feet. Say you need a deeper layer of soil. You can cover 100 square feet with a depth of 3 inches of topsoil. 

How Do You Convert Yards to Tons?

A cubic yard is a measurement by volume. On the other hand, a ton is a measurement by weight. To convert yards to tons, you need to know the density of the topsoil in tons per cubic yard.

Usually, density is measured by pound per cubic foot. You can ask your supplier for the exact density of the type of topsoil you’d like to purchase, or you can use the average figures in the table below. Make sure to check your specific material or product label before purchasing so you’re getting the correct amount. Also, consider that the topsoil will shift and compact naturally, so you may want to purchase 10% more to compensate.

For example, let’s say we have 2 cubic yards of dirt. The density of dirt is an average of 75 pounds per cubic feet. 1. Convert the density from pounds per cubic feet to tons per cubic yard by multiplying by 0.0135. If the density is 75 pounds per cubic feet, then: 

75 pounds per cubic feet x 0.0135 = 1.10125 tons per cubic yard

2. Multiply the amount of dirt (2 cubic yards in this example) by the density in tons per cubic yard:

2 x 1.10125 = 2.2025 tons. As you can see, 2 cubic yards of dirt is 2.2025 tons if the density is 75 pounds per cubic feet. If you need to convert from tons to cubic yards, do the following:

1. Divide the tons by the density per cubic feet. 2.2025/1.10125 = 2. 2.2025 tons is 2 cubic yards of dirt if the density is 75 pounds per cubic feet.

Topsoil Prices

The cost of dirt and topsoil varies according to the quality of the material and the quantity that you buy. The best prices are for black dirt when purchased by the cubic yard ($15), while the most expensive option is buying soil by the bag ($100 per cubic yard). You may decide to install new topsoil after testing your soil. Expect to pay about $1425 for the cost of soil testing. 

Per Cubic Yard

Bulk topsoil costs $12 to $55 per cubic yard, including delivery. Exact rates can depend on the moisture content, type of organic materials, and geographic location.

As with most purchases, you get what you pay for. The quality of dirt you need will depend on your intended use. Some providers may sell fill dirt scraped from construction sites as "bargain topsoil," but it may contain too much debris and not enough organic matter.

Topsoil is one of the major factors in thecost of seeding a lawn,cost of installing sod, andother landscape projects. For these projects, you will need a material with ample organic content to provide nutrients for the plants.

Topsoil by Scoop

Some mulch yards sell topsoil for $6 to $20 per scoop, depending on the amount and quality of the material. A scoop is equal to half a cubic yard, but this may vary by supplier. Homeowners choose to purchase materials by the scoop when they need smaller amounts and have access to a truck or trailer because it's less expensive than buying topsoil by the bag. If you do not have access to a vehicle, you can rent a truck or trailer for an additional cost.

Screened Topsoil Prices

Expect to pay about $20 per cubic yard, depending on consistency. Manufacturers filter screened topsoil through mesh to ensure consistent particle size, which encourages plant growth by evenly dispersing nutrients and water. Homeowners can choose a particle size of 5/8 or 3/4 inches.

Black Dirt 

Screened black dirt costs about $15 per cubic yard. Delivery charges for orders between 1 and 15 cubic yards run between $75 to $140 per load, not including the material itself.

Loam

Screened commercial loam costs about $17 per cubic yard. Super loam, a 50/50 loam and compost blend, costs about $25 per cubic yard. Loam is composed of sand, silt, and clay and contains more nutrients, moisture, and organic matter than other soils. Better drainage, increased water and air retention, and easy tilling make loam the perfect garden soil.

Topsoil Prices by Bag

Bagged topsoil costs $2 to $5 per bag or about $35 to $180 per cubic yard.

Bulk Topsoil vs. Buying by the Bag

If you buy topsoil by the bag instead of in bulk, expect to pay about $100 per cubic yard. Bagged material from local home and garden or big box stores ranges from $2 to $5 per 40-pound bag or $35 to $180 per cubic yard.

Fill Dirt Costs

You may be wondering—how much does dirt cost? First of all, the cost of the fill dirt you need will depend largely on the type of project you’re working on. There are different types of fill dirt, like clean, septic, and structural, so it’s best to figure out the scope of the work first. 

Per Yard

Fill dirt runs about $5 to $15 per cubic yard, depending on the type. Fill dirt serves as a base for driveways as well as trench and septic backfill. It’s also a major part of the cost of filling in a pool.

Choose fine, medium, or coarse bank-run fill, also known as gravel, depending on your project. If you’re unsure of which type to choose, consult a local landscaping pro. 

Per Truckload

Expect to pay between $150 and $450 for a truckload of fill dirt, including delivery. One truck will typically hold 10 to 13 cubic yards of material.

Clean Fill Dirt

Clean fill dirt sells for $8 to $15 per cubic yard. Homeowners should budget $40 to $75 for a typical project requiring 5 cubic yards of fill over 500 square feet (and 3-plus inches deep). This type of dirt costs more because manufacturers screen it to remove contaminants, debris, and organic matter, making it more even-textured.

It's important to note the difference between clean and certified dirt. Certified fill is clean fill that meets certain quality-control standards, ensuring it’s free of foreign organic materials. It comes in a variety of classifications and is best for construction, leveling, or drainage projects. For example, fill dirt is typically a part of the cost to regrade or reslope a lawn; prices vary by classification and supplier but expect it to be more expensive than clean fill.

Structural Fill Dirt

Structural fill dirt is used as a stable base for construction projects and costs $10 to $30 per cubic yard. It’s screened and consists of broken-down rocks, clay, and sand. You can lay down structural fill before building a shed, cabin, or roadway. 

Septic Fill Dirt

Septic fill, another type of clean fill, runs from $12 to $30 per ton. Contractors use septic fill, also called manufactured sand or concrete sand, around septic tank installations. Septic fill doesn’t retain moisture, so it won't settle or clump.

Cost of Sand 

Sand is a better option than fill dirt in damp areas like around septic tanks and ponds because it does a better job of absorbing moisture. Otherwise, fill dirt is a better option for laying down solid foundations.

Per Ton

The price for sand ranges between $5 to $30 per ton, depending on the type. Natural sand will typically cost less than specialty sand. Screened sand costs about $15 to $20 per cubic yard and is suitable as a base for paving projects like driveways. You can also use sand for sandboxes and hardscaping. Salt sand is priced at $40 per cubic yard and works on driveways as ice melt.

Per Bag

A 50-pound bag of all-purpose sand costs $3 to $5 a bag, while a 50-pound bag of commercial-grade sand will cost you $7 to $9. The same size bag of play sand costs $5 to $7.

Per Truckload

A truckload of all-purpose sand costs $300 to $700, including delivery. A truckload is usually 10 to 14 cubic yards of sand.

Mulch, Rock, & Other Material Delivery Pricing

No matter the material, loads consisting of 1 to 15 cubic yards of fill materials typically cost between $50 and $150 to deliver. Large loads, remote destinations, and difficult-to-access areas will increase delivery charges. In some cases, suppliers include these costs in per-ton or per-cubic-yard price quotes, but you should always double-check with your supplier to be sure.

Mulch

Nationwide, the cost of mulch ranges from $100 to $300, averaging $175. Mulch helps keep plants moist in dry weather and protects plant roots from pests.

Delivering Rocks, Stones, Gravel, & Riprap

Rocks, stones, riprap, and gravel (including crusher run, crushed limestone, pebbles, rock base, and caliche) range from $15 to $100 per ton or more with delivery included. That's about $20 to $120 per cubic yard.

If delivery fees are separate, estimate double the price per cubic yard. However, some suppliers charge a flat rate or a reduced per-yard fee for large orders.

Clay

Clay ranges in price from about $35 to $40 per cubic yard, including delivery. Clay is not suitable for planting, but you can use it for decorative purposes, animal stalls, or tracks and ball fields.

Average Rates for Hauling & Delivery

Dump truck hauling and delivery rates will vary depending on the size of the truck, usually defined by the number of axles. Be aware that some vehicles cannot operate on residential streets.

Set Fee

Some companies that offer soil, mulch, and rock delivery will have a set fee for all items being delivered. If this is the case, figure out how many materials you will need, so you don't have to pay double delivery costs.

Per Hour

Other companies may not have a set delivery fee but will charge by the hour at a rate of $65 to $100. In this case, you will want to be sure your site is ready for quick offloading of materials to save on time and that it’s easily accessible. 

Distance to House

If you live far away from the supplier, you may be charged extra for distance. Alternatively, the service provider may charge a gas fee on top of their normal delivery prices. Check before you have your items delivered to see if your location falls within their normal delivery area.

Yard Accessibility

Do you live down a narrow, curving gravel road? Across a wobbly bridge? At the end of a driveway, where a truck can’t turn around?

Limited or difficult accessibility can add to your budget or even make delivery impossible for some companies. If you think your home may fall into the category of difficult accessibility, tell your driver ahead of time. If they arrive at your home and cannot deliver your materials, you may get charged for the trip!

Truck Rental

If you want to haul your own materials, you can rent a truck or trailer from a local hardware store or a rental service. You may need a special license to operate certain vehicles.