Large-scale landscaping and construction projects require purchasing bulk soil for tasks like leveling a yard or creating new garden beds. Soil is sold by volume, typically measured in the cubic yard. Understanding this standard unit and the quality of the soil needed is the first step in accurately estimating your project’s scope and total expense.
Understanding Measurement and Soil Grades
The standard volumetric unit for bulk materials is the cubic yard, equivalent to 27 cubic feet of material. This conversion is necessary for calculating how much ground a specific quantity of soil will cover at a given depth. Selecting the correct grade of soil is important because it dictates the base price and suitability for your project.
Soil Grades
The lowest-cost option is fill dirt, which is subsoil used primarily for deep filling or structural leveling. Fill dirt contains very little organic matter and often includes small rocks or clay content, making it unsuitable for planting.
A mid-range selection is screened topsoil, the upper layer of earth filtered through a mesh to remove large debris, rocks, and roots. This grade is suitable for general lawn and landscaping projects.
The highest-cost materials are specialty soil and garden mixes, often a blend of screened topsoil, compost, and other amendments. These blends are formulated for superior drainage, aeration, and higher concentrations of plant nutrients. Examples include enriched vegetable garden mixes designed to maximize plant performance in flower beds or raised containers.
Average Cost per Cubic Yard
The base cost of soil varies significantly depending on the grade, with the least refined material being the most economical. Clean fill dirt, used for backfilling and creating a stable base, generally falls in the national average range of $8 to $30 per cubic yard. This material is priced lower due to its structural use.
Screened topsoil, the most common choice for general landscaping and lawn repair, usually costs between $12 and $40 per cubic yard. The price fluctuation here is often based on the fineness of the screening process and the soil’s natural composition. For premium specialty materials, such as organic planting mixes or enriched garden blends, the cost can range from $30 up to $165 per cubic yard. These higher prices reflect the addition of expensive amendments like compost and peat moss.
These figures represent only the material cost itself at the supplier’s yard. The cost does not include any taxes or the often-substantial fees associated with transportation to your project location. Comparing the base price of different soil grades ensures you are selecting the best product for your specific application without overpaying.
Key Factors That Adjust Pricing
The final amount you pay for a cubic yard of soil is rarely the base price due to several external factors. One of the most significant adjustments is the delivery fee, which can add a substantial amount to the total bill. This charge is calculated based on the distance from the supplier’s yard to your location and the size of the truck required. Delivery costs can range from $15 to over $200, depending on the travel time and fuel costs involved.
Location and Availability
Pricing also fluctuates dramatically based on location and regional availability. Soil suppliers in densely populated urban areas often have higher operating costs, which are reflected in a higher price per cubic yard compared to suppliers in rural areas. Additionally, some geographic regions naturally have more accessible, high-quality soil sources, which keeps the local cost lower.
Volume Discounts
Another factor that influences the price is the total volume ordered, often resulting in volume discounts. Suppliers frequently offer a reduced price per cubic yard for large bulk purchases, such as orders exceeding 10 cubic yards. Conversely, purchasing smaller quantities, especially less than five cubic yards, may incur a premium charge or a minimum delivery fee that makes the cost per unit higher.
Calculating the Amount of Soil You Need
Accurately calculating the required volume is necessary to avoid wasting money or delaying your project due to a shortage of material. The standard method for this calculation involves measuring the length and width of your project area in feet, along with the desired depth in feet, and then dividing the total by 27. This formula, Length x Width x Depth / 27, provides the number of cubic yards needed.
Depth Conversion
For most projects, the depth needs to be converted from inches to feet by dividing the inches by 12 before using the formula. For example, topdressing an existing lawn requires a very thin application, typically only 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil. Establishing a new lawn or filling a raised garden bed requires a significantly deeper layer, with recommendations ranging from 3 to 6 inches of soil to support healthy root growth.
Accounting for Compaction
A common recommendation is to round up your final cubic yard calculation by about 5 to 10 percent. This margin accounts for the natural compaction of the soil after it is spread and settled with water. Purchasing a slight excess ensures you have enough material to fine-grade the surface and fill any low spots that become apparent after the soil has settled.