Five yards of topsoil typically costs $250-$650 delivered, with an average bill near $425 for ordinary screened soil and a local delivery. The 5 yards of topsoil cost depends mainly on soil quality, delivery distance, access for the truck, and whether spreading is included.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil and local delivery | $250 | $425 | $650 | Five bulk cubic yards; standard screened soil |
| Soil only | $125 | $225 | $400 | $25-$80 per cubic yard, depending on blend |
| Spreading labor | $150 | $300 | $600 | Roughly 3-8 labor hours, site dependent |
| Bagged equivalent | $450 | $700 | $1,000 | About 135 bags of 1-cubic-foot soil, before labor |
What five bulk yards of topsoil usually cost
For a residential order, five cubic yards of screened topsoil commonly costs $125-$400 at the supplier, plus $75-$250 for delivery. That puts a typical delivered total at $250-$650. Premium garden blends containing compost or other amendments may bring the total to $400-$800, especially when the supplier charges a small-load fee.
For a straightforward local delivery, budget about $50-$130 per cubic yard delivered. A cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, so five yards provide 135 cubic feet. Coverage is about 1,620 square feet at a 1-inch depth, 810 square feet at 2 inches, or 540 square feet at 3 inches.
Assumptions: Standard screened soil, a typical U.S. market, one truck delivery within roughly 10-20 miles, and no spreading or unusual site work.
How soil, trucking, and spreading shape the quote
Supplier quotes may list soil, delivery, and installation separately. Check whether the quoted amount is five loose cubic yards or five yards after any settling allowance; confirm the soil blend and where the truck can unload before comparing estimates.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil | $25-$80 per cubic yard | Screening, texture, and blend |
| Compost-enriched blend | $45-$100 per cubic yard | Compost content and supplier |
| Delivery for five yards | $75-$250 | Distance, truck size, and minimum load |
| Spreading labor | $50-$100 per labor hour | Wheelbarrow distance and grading needs |
| Old soil or debris removal | $100-$400 | Volume, disposal fees, and loading access |
Spreading five yards by hand may take one worker 4-8 hours on a clear, level area; a crew can finish sooner but may have a minimum charge. applies when labor is billed by time. Delivery and spreading together can add $200-$600 to a soil-only purchase.
Ask for an itemized delivered price and a separate spreading price. This makes it easier to compare a supplier’s small-load fee with a landscaper’s installation quote.
Why screening, soil depth, and truck access change the price
Screened topsoil costs more than unscreened fill because it has fewer stones and clumps and is easier to rake into a lawn or garden bed. A basic lawn blend may cost $25-$50 per yard, while a screened garden mix often runs $40-$80; compost-heavy blends may reach $100 per yard.
Depth affects both the amount ordered and the labor. A 2-inch layer over 800 square feet uses about five cubic yards before accounting for uneven ground or settling. At 3 inches, the same five yards cover only about 540 square feet. Confirm the area and depth before ordering, because another delivery can cost more than a small amount of extra soil.
Truck access can add $50-$200 if the load must be placed farther away or delivered with specialized equipment. Narrow gates, steep driveways, soft lawns, overhead wires, and restrictions on truck weight may prevent direct dumping. Truck placement and the required depth are two of the most important variables in a five-yard estimate.
Where five-yard delivery runs higher across the U.S.
Prices vary with local soil supply, fuel costs, and hauling distance. Rural buyers near a soil yard may pay 10%-20% below a metro-area quote, while dense urban markets can run 15%-35% higher than a lower-cost regional baseline. These differences are not fixed: a nearby supplier or seasonal promotion can narrow the gap.
Delivery distance matters more for a five-yard order because many suppliers charge a minimum trip fee. A short local haul might cost $75-$125, while a 20-40-mile trip may cost $150-$300. Compare the final delivered total, not just the advertised price per yard. A low material rate can be offset by a high freight charge.
Can five yards of topsoil be spread in one visit?
Usually, yes, if the truck can unload near the work area and the soil is going onto a prepared surface. A landscaper may charge $200-$500 to distribute and rough-level five yards across an accessible lawn or garden. Hand work can take longer when soil must be moved through a gate or around the house.
Site preparation, fine grading, and lawn seeding are often separate. Basic raking may be included, but removing sod, correcting drainage, or blending soil into existing ground can add $100-$500 or more. Confirm whether the quote includes only delivery, rough spreading, or finished grading.
Bulk topsoil versus bags for the same 135 cubic feet
Five yards equal 135 cubic feet, or about 135 one-cubic-foot bags. At roughly $3-$7 per bag, bagged soil costs about $405-$945 before sales tax, though smaller bags and premium potting-style mixes can cost more. Bulk soil is usually cheaper for this volume, but bags can be practical when a truck cannot reach the property or precise placement matters.
Bag handling adds time and may require multiple trips from a store. Bulk delivery can leave a pile that must be moved by shovel or wheelbarrow. Choose bags for access and placement control; choose bulk for lower material cost on an open site.
Three realistic five-yard topsoil quote examples
A suburban lawn with easy driveway access might include five yards of screened soil at $45 per yard ($225), a $110 delivery fee, and $240 for four labor hours at $60 per hour. The total is about $575, or $115 per delivered yard with spreading.
A garden-bed order with compost blend could cost five yards at $70 each ($350), delivery of $140, and $180 for limited placement near the truck. The total is about $670. A rural order of basic screened soil at $35 per yard ($175), a $220 long-distance delivery, and no spreading totals about $395.
These examples show why soil grade and hauling can matter as much as the yardage. Ask suppliers to state the blend, delivered quantity, travel distance, and any extra charge for placement before accepting a quote.
Ways to lower the bill without ordering less soil
Measure the area and intended depth first, then compare the calculated volume with the supplier’s recommended order. For a level surface, area in square feet multiplied by depth in feet and divided by 27 gives cubic yards. Add a modest allowance for uneven ground rather than automatically ordering extra.
Request quotes from several nearby yards using the same soil specification and delivery address. Ask whether delivery is cheaper on a scheduled route, whether a neighboring order can share trucking, and whether a larger minimum-load rate applies. Prepare the drop area, clear access, and mark the unloading spot before the truck arrives.
Keep the soil grade matched to the job instead of paying for a premium blend everywhere. Screened basic topsoil may suit lawn leveling, while compost-rich mix can be reserved for planting beds. Confirm that a lower-priced load is suitable for the intended use, and avoid paying for spreading if the site can be handled with borrowed or rented tools.