How Much Is Cubic Yard Of Dirt Cost? Price Guide & Estimator

How Much Is Cubic Yard Of Dirt
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How Much Is a Cubic Yard of Dirt Cost? Price Guide & Estimator

The cost per cubic yard of soil can range from $20 to $70, depending on the type of dirt, where you buy it, and if delivery is included. So, how much does a yard of dirt cost? It’s not a simple answer, as many factors influence the dirt cubic yard price. This guide will break down the costs involved and help you estimate your needs, so you know exactly what to expect when you cost to buy a cubic yard of dirt.

Deciphering the Price of Dirt by the Yard

When you’re planning a landscaping project, whether it’s building a new garden bed, leveling a yard, or filling in a hole, you’ll likely need to purchase dirt. The common unit of measurement for bulk soil is the cubic yard. But what goes into that dirt cubic yard price? It’s more than just the raw material.

Factors Influencing Dirt Costs

Several key elements contribute to the final cost you’ll pay for dirt:

Type of Dirt: Not all dirt is created equal. The quality and intended use of the soil significantly impact its price.
- Fill Dirt: This is often the most basic and affordable option. Fill dirt is typically a mixture of topsoil, clay, sand, and other natural materials. Its primary purpose is to build up land, fill holes, or create grades. It’s usually not ideal for planting directly as it may lack nutrients and proper drainage. The pricing for a cubic yard of fill dirt can be on the lower end.
- Topsoil: This is the uppermost layer of soil, rich in nutrients and organic matter. It’s the most desirable type for gardening, planting lawns, and improving soil health. The cubic yard of topsoil cost will be higher than fill dirt due to its quality and benefits for plant life.
- Composted Soil/Amendments: These are soils that have been enhanced with compost or other organic materials. They are excellent for boosting soil fertility and structure but come at a premium price.
Location and Local Market: Just like any commodity, the cost of dirt can vary significantly based on your geographic location. Areas with higher demand, fewer local suppliers, or higher operational costs for landscaping companies will likely have higher prices.
Supplier Type:
- Landscaping Supply Yards: These businesses specialize in selling soil, mulch, gravel, and other landscaping materials. They often offer a wider variety of soil types and can provide delivery services.
- Garden Centers/Nurseries: While they sell soil, it’s often in smaller bags and at a higher per-unit price than bulk suppliers. They might be convenient for small projects.
- Construction Companies: Sometimes, construction companies will sell excess fill dirt they’ve excavated. The quality can vary wildly, and delivery might be less flexible.
Delivery Fees: This is a crucial component of the dirt delivery cost per yard. Most suppliers charge a fee for delivering bulk soil to your home. This fee is often based on the distance from their yard to your location, the quantity of dirt ordered, and the accessibility of your site. Some suppliers might offer free delivery for very large orders or within a certain radius.
Minimum Order Quantities: Many bulk suppliers have minimum order requirements, often around 5 to 10 cubic yards. If you only need a small amount, you might have to pay for the minimum quantity or find a smaller-scale supplier.
Seasonality: Demand for landscaping materials, including dirt, tends to be higher in the spring and summer months. Prices might fluctuate slightly based on the season.

Estimating Your Dirt Needs: The Cubic Yard

A cubic yard is a unit of volume. It measures one yard in length, one yard in width, and one yard in height. To visualize it, imagine a cube about as tall as a refrigerator.

To calculate how much dirt you need, you’ll need to measure the area of your project and the desired depth of the dirt.

Formula:
* Length (in yards) × Width (in yards) × Depth (in yards) = Cubic Yards

Important Note: Measurements are typically taken in feet. You’ll need to convert feet to yards by dividing by 3.

1 foot = 1/3 yard
1 square foot = (1/3 yard) × (1/3 yard) = 1/9 square yard
1 cubic foot = (1/3 yard) × (1/3 yard) × (1/3 yard) = 1/27 cubic yard

Therefore, to convert cubic feet to cubic yards, you divide by 27.

Easier Conversion:
To estimate how much dirt you need, you can use this simplified approach for common project depths:

For a 4-inch depth (1/3 foot): Multiply the square footage of your area by 0.125 (or 1/8) to get cubic yards.
For a 6-inch depth (1/2 foot): Multiply the square footage of your area by 0.167 (or 1/6) to get cubic yards.
For a 12-inch depth (1 foot): Multiply the square footage of your area by 0.333 (or 1/3) to get cubic yards.

Example:
You want to create a garden bed that is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 6 inches deep.

Area in square feet: 10 ft × 5 ft = 50 sq ft
Convert depth to yards: 6 inches = 0.5 feet. 0.5 feet / 3 = 0.167 yards.
Calculate cubic yards: 10 ft × 5 ft × 0.5 ft = 25 cubic feet
Convert cubic feet to cubic yards: 25 cubic feet / 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.

Since you can’t usually buy fractions of a cubic yard, you would round up to 1 cubic yard.

A cubic yard of soil cost estimator can be a useful tool for larger projects, but these basic calculations will help you get a good ballpark figure.

Typical Pricing for a Cubic Yard of Fill Dirt

Fill dirt is the most budget-friendly option. It’s excellent for raising the level of your yard or filling in areas where aesthetics aren’t the primary concern.

Price Range: $10 – $30 per cubic yard (without delivery)
With Delivery: Expect an additional $30 – $100+ for delivery, depending on distance and quantity.

Considerations for Fill Dirt:

Quality: Fill dirt is often screened less rigorously and may contain rocks, roots, and debris.
Compaction: Fill dirt can compact significantly over time, potentially leading to settling in the areas you’ve filled.
Nutrients: It generally lacks the nutrient content needed for healthy plant growth.

The Cubic Yard of Topsoil Cost

Topsoil is the premium choice for planting and improving garden beds. Its rich composition supports plant life and enhances soil structure.

Price Range: $25 – $70 per cubic yard (without delivery)
With Delivery: Add $40 – $150+ for delivery fees.

Why Topsoil Costs More:

Nutrient-Rich: Contains essential minerals and organic matter for plant growth.
Better Drainage and Aeration: Promotes healthy root development.
Screened: Often screened to remove rocks and debris, making it easier to work with.
Often Blended: High-quality topsoil might be blended with compost or other amendments to improve its performance.

Pricing for Different Soil Types and Amendments

Beyond basic fill dirt and topsoil, you might encounter more specialized options:

Mushroom Compost: Often used as a soil amendment to enrich the soil.
- Price Range: $30 – $60 per cubic yard (without delivery)
Composted Manure: Excellent for adding nutrients and improving soil structure.
- Price Range: $30 – $50 per cubic yard (without delivery)
Specialty Blends (e.g., Raised Bed Mix, Garden Soil): These are often pre-mixed with compost, perlite, or other materials for specific uses.
- Price Range: $40 – $80+ per cubic yard (without delivery)

Calculating the Dirt Delivery Cost Per Yard

The dirt delivery cost per yard is a significant factor. While the soil itself might be reasonably priced, delivery can add considerably to the total expense.

Factors Affecting Delivery Costs:

Distance: The further the supplier has to travel, the higher the delivery fee. Many suppliers have a base delivery fee for the first few miles and then charge an additional rate per mile beyond that.
Quantity: Some suppliers might offer a flat delivery fee for a certain range of cubic yards, while others charge more for larger loads.
Delivery Site Accessibility: If your delivery location is difficult to reach (e.g., narrow gates, steep driveways, tight corners), the supplier might charge extra for the extra time and effort involved.
Type of Truck: For larger quantities, a dump truck will be used. The size of the truck and the need for specific maneuverability can influence the cost.
Time of Delivery: While less common, rush deliveries or deliveries outside standard hours could incur higher fees.

Estimating Delivery Costs:
It’s best to call your local landscaping supply yards and get a direct quote for delivery. Provide them with:

The type and quantity of soil you need.
Your full delivery address.
Any specific access instructions or challenges for the delivery truck.

Example Scenario:

Let’s say you need 10 cubic yards of topsoil.

Cost of Topsoil: 10 cubic yards × $40/cubic yard = $400
Estimated Delivery Fee: $75 (this can vary greatly)
Total Estimated Cost: $400 + $75 = $475

This brings the effective dirt cubic yard price to $47.50 per cubic yard, including delivery.

How to Get the Best Cubic Yard of Soil Cost

To ensure you’re getting the best value and accurate pricing, follow these tips:

Shop Around: Get quotes from multiple local landscaping supply companies. Compare not only the per-cubic-yard price of the soil but also the delivery fees and any potential minimum order requirements.
Buy in Bulk: If you need a significant amount of dirt, buying in larger quantities (e.g., 10+ cubic yards) often leads to a lower per-cubic-yard price and can sometimes qualify you for reduced delivery fees.
Know Your Needs: Accurately calculate how much dirt you need. Over-ordering means wasted money, and under-ordering means you’ll have to pay for another delivery. Use a cubic yard of soil cost estimator or the formulas provided.
Consider Fill Dirt for Non-Planting Areas: If you’re just filling a hole or raising an area that won’t be planted, opt for fill dirt to save money.
Check for Sales or Promotions: Some suppliers may have seasonal sales or discounts.
Factor in Quality: Don’t always go for the cheapest option. If you’re planting, investing in good quality topsoil will yield better results in the long run and save you from having to amend poor soil later.
Ask About Screening and Material: Inquire if the soil is screened and what materials might be included. This can give you an idea of its quality and suitability for your project.

Estimating Dirt Yard Price for DIY Projects

DIY enthusiasts often grapple with accurately estimating dirt yard price. Here’s a breakdown to help you plan:

Small Garden Beds: For a few raised beds, you might need 1-3 cubic yards. Focus on quality topsoil.
Leveling a Yard: This can require a significant amount of fill dirt. A large yard might need 20-50+ cubic yards. Consider fill dirt for the bulk of the leveling and a layer of topsoil for planting.
New Lawn Installation: You’ll typically need 4-6 inches of good quality topsoil over the prepared area.
Filling Holes: If it’s a small hole, you might get away with less than a cubic yard. For larger excavations, plan for fill dirt.

Cubic Yard of Soil Cost Estimator Table (Illustrative Prices)

Soil Type	Price Per Cubic Yard (Without Delivery)	Estimated Delivery Fee (10-20 miles)	Estimated Total Cost Per Cubic Yard (Incl. Delivery)
Fill Dirt	$10 – $30	$40 – $80	$14 – $38
Standard Topsoil	$25 – $50	$50 – $90	$30 – $59
Premium Topsoil	$40 – $70	$60 – $100	$46 – $70
Compost/Amendments	$30 – $60	$45 – $95	$34 – $70

Note: These are illustrative prices and can vary significantly. Always get local quotes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dirt Costs

Q1: How much does a yard of dirt cost for delivery?
The total cost with delivery typically ranges from $40 to $100 per cubic yard, depending on the soil type and distance. This includes the price of the dirt itself and the delivery fee.

Q2: What is the cheapest type of dirt I can buy?
Fill dirt is generally the cheapest option. It’s suitable for building up land and filling holes but may not be ideal for planting without amendments.

Q3: Can I buy less than a cubic yard of dirt?
Most bulk suppliers have a minimum order, often 5 or 10 cubic yards. For smaller quantities, you might find bagged soil at garden centers, but the per-unit cost will be higher. Some specialized landscape suppliers might offer smaller bulk deliveries.

Q4: How do I calculate how much dirt I need?
Measure your area’s length, width, and desired depth. Convert all measurements to yards. Then, multiply length (yards) × width (yards) × depth (yards) to get the cubic yards needed. Remember to divide cubic feet by 27 if you measure in feet.

Q5: Is it cheaper to pick up dirt myself?
If you have a suitable truck (e.g., a pickup truck with a good payload capacity) and the distance is manageable, picking it up yourself can save on delivery fees. However, you’ll be limited by your truck’s capacity per trip, and you’ll need to factor in your time and fuel costs.

Q6: What’s the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the nutrient-rich upper layer of soil, ideal for gardening and planting. Fill dirt is a more general term for earth used to build up or fill in areas and typically contains a mix of soil types, including clay and sand, with fewer organic nutrients.

By carefully considering these factors and using this guide, you can accurately estimate the cost per cubic yard of soil for your next project and make informed purchasing decisions.