A cubic yard represents a significant volume of material, defined as a three-dimensional space measuring three feet wide, three feet long, and three feet deep, totaling 27 cubic feet. The cost of soil measured by this standard volume is rarely a single fixed price. The final amount you pay is determined by the material’s quality, the processing it has undergone, and the logistical expenses required to get it from the supplier to your location. This article breaks down the variables that establish the final price of a cubic yard of soil, from the base material cost to delivery.
The Baseline Cost of a Cubic Yard
The baseline cost for a cubic yard is the material price itself, often referred to as the Free On Board (F.O.B.) price, which assumes you pick it up at the supplier’s yard. Standard bulk screened topsoil typically costs between $15 and $50 per cubic yard. This material has been excavated and filtered to remove large debris, making it suitable for general landscaping.
Unamended fill dirt is the lowest cost option, sometimes priced as low as $5 to $15 per cubic yard because it contains little organic matter. This material is primarily structural, used only to change the grade or fill large holes. This quoted price is always the cost before any delivery fees or specialty amendments are applied.
Logistics and Transactional Pricing Factors
The cost of the soil material is often minor compared to the costs associated with moving that heavy volume. Delivery fees are the largest variable, significantly impacting the final per-cubic-yard price. These fees may be structured as a flat rate, ranging from $50 to $150 per trip, or charged as an hourly rate for the truck and driver.
The distance between the project site and the supplier’s yard is the main factor driving delivery cost. Suppliers in dense urban areas may charge differently than those in remote locations. The quantity ordered also affects the unit cost; bulk discounts are frequently offered for large orders of 10 or more cubic yards. Conversely, ordering a very small quantity or purchasing bagged soil results in a much higher cost per unit volume.
Understanding Soil Quality and Material Cost
The quality and composition of the soil are the primary drivers of its material cost, separate from delivery fees. The lowest-cost option is fill dirt, which is subsoil containing a high proportion of clay and sand with minimal organic content. It is used primarily for structural applications, such as creating a stable base for foundations, where its low nutrient value is not a concern.
Standard topsoil, often described as screened loam, is a mid-range product filtered through a mesh for consistent particle size, making it easy to spread for lawns and general gardening. This material provides a better balance of sand, silt, and clay particles than fill dirt, improving water retention and drainage. The highest cost materials are premium or specialty blends, sometimes reaching $55 per cubic yard or more. These blends are engineered for specific purposes, such as enriched garden mix fortified with compost, or a lightened blend with extra sand for improved drainage in raised beds.
How to Calculate the Volume You Need
Accurately calculating the required volume helps you budget correctly and avoids the expense of over-ordering. The calculation for cubic yards uses the basic volume formula, requiring all measurements to be converted into feet. Measure the length, width, and desired depth in feet, multiply these three numbers to get cubic feet, and then divide the total by 27.
For example, if you have an area 10 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want to apply 4 inches of new soil, first convert the depth: 4 inches divided by 12 inches equals 0.33 feet. The calculation is 10 feet (Length) x 10 feet (Width) x 0.33 feet (Depth), which equals 33 cubic feet. Dividing 33 cubic feet by 27 yields 1.22 cubic yards. It is advisable to round up your calculation, as soil will compact and settle after delivery and watering, requiring slightly more material than the initial calculation suggests.