Prices for fill dirt vary by material type, quantity, and delivery distance. Typical costs depend on the dirt quality, moisture, and local disposal or staging requirements. This guide covers cost ranges and drivers to help buyers estimate a fill dirt project budget.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill Dirt (material) | $8–$15 | $12–$25 | $20–$40 | Common clean fill; clay content affects compaction |
| Delivery/Transport | $0.50–$2.50 | $1.50–$3.50 | $4–$6 | Per mile or load; longer hauls raise costs |
| Soil Testing / Sampling | $50–$150 | $100–$300 | $300–$800 | Optional for large fills |
| Labor & Site Prep | $200–$600 | $600–$1,500 | $1,800–$4,000 | Grading, compaction, leveling |
| Permits / Fees | $0–$50 | $50–$500 | $500–$1,000 | Depends on jurisdiction |
| Disposal / Staging | $0–$100 | $100–$500 | $500–$1,000 | If excess soil must be removed |
Assumptions: region, fill depth, soil quality, and access influence the ranges.
Overview Of Costs
Typical project ranges for fill dirt cover small backyard reforms to large lot grading. A basic fill job might cost $1,500–$4,000, while a substantial project with deep fills and long delivery can run $6,000–$15,000 or more. Per-unit prices commonly appear as $12–$25 per cubic yard for material, plus $1–$6 per mile for delivery and $600–$2,500 for labor and site prep, depending on complexity.
Key factors include soil quality (clean versus clay-heavy fill), depth of fill (target height and compaction requirements), access, and local disposal rules. Moisture content and weather can also shift costs upward due to handling and compaction needs.
Cost Breakdown
| Materials | Labor | Equipment | Delivery/Disposal | Taxes | Contingency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8–$25 per yd³ | $200–$1,500 | $50–$300 | $1–$6 per mile / load | 0–8% | 5–15% |
Regional drivers such as supply chain gaps and local dirt types can alter per-yard pricing by ±20–40%. A single long-haul job will magnify delivery costs, while easy access sites reduce mobilization charges.
What Drives Price
Material quality and depth are major drivers: clean fill with low organics costs more to source and test, and deeper fills increase cubic-yard requirements. data-formula=’labor_hours × hourly_rate’> Labor time and crew size scale with site grading, compaction, and slope requirements.
Delivery distance sharply affects price; regional fuel costs and truck availability produce noticeable deltas. Large jobs may qualify for bulk delivery discounts or multi-load contracts, changing effective unit costs.
Site constraints such as access width, overhead obstacles, and staging space influence equipment needs and duration, which in turn shifts the total budget. Permitting rules and local inspections can add fees or require testing before earthwork begins.
Ways To Save
Key strategies include batching deliveries for larger sites, choosing locally sourced fill, and coordinating with existing grading plans to minimize rework. If acceptable, using lower-perimeter compacted fill for non-structural areas reduces tonnage and labor.
Alternatives to consider include using recycled fill material where appropriate, or combining fill dirt with topsoil for finished appearance, which can lower disposal and soil uplift costs in some regions.
Regional Price Differences
Prices vary across the United States due to material availability and labor markets. In the Northeast metro areas, dirt costs, delivery, and labor can be 10–20% higher than national averages. The Midwest typically shows mid-range pricing, with rural areas occasionally offering lower trucking and disposal fees. The Southwest may see higher moisture-adjusted costs in arid regions where import soils are common.
Urban vs Suburban vs Rural deltas: Urban zones often bear higher permitting and access charges, while Rural sites benefit from lower labor rates but longer delivery distances. Expect ±15–30% variance in total for similar fills when comparing these settings.
Labor & Installation Time
Time on site depends on depth, slope grading, and compaction requirements. Small projects may take a day or two; larger installations extend to multiple days with crew rotations. data-formula=’estimated_hours × hourly_rate’>
Typical crew costs range from $60 to $120 per hour per worker, with 2–4 workers common for efficient grading and compacting. For heavy fills, machinery hours dominate labor costs, potentially elevating totals by 30–50% compared with manual approaches.
Additional & Hidden Costs
Hidden charges can include site cleanup, traffic control in busy areas, extra compaction passes, and rework if drainage or compaction fails. Some sites incur surcharges for after-hours work, weekend scheduling, or special permits. data-formula=’monthly_permit_fee + disposal_fees’>
Disposal and staging fees may apply if excess material must be removed off-site or stored on-site while grading completes. If soil tests are recommended, testing costs add a predictable line item to the estimate.
Real-World Pricing Examples
Three scenario cards illustrate common ranges. All figures assume standard clean fill, average access, and no special permits.
- Basic — 60 yd³ of material, 5 miles delivery, light grading. Materials: $720; Delivery: $75; Labor: $600; Permits/Fees: $0; Total: ~$1,395.
- Mid-Range — 180 yd³, 12 miles, moderate grading and two compact passes. Materials: $2,100; Delivery: $150; Labor: $1,200; Permits/Fees: $250; Total: ~$3,700.
- Premium — 350 yd³, 25 miles, deep fill with testing and additional compaction. Materials: $4,200; Delivery: $400; Labor: $2,800; Permits/Fees: $800; Tests: $300; Total: ~$8,500.
Assumptions: region, fill depth, soil quality, and access influence the ranges.