Backfill typically costs $15-$100 per cubic yard installed, with a common average of about $40-$55 for ordinary fill dirt and accessible residential work. The backfill cost per cubic yard depends on material, delivery distance, compaction requirements, excavation access, and whether old soil must be removed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt, delivered | $10/yd³ | $20/yd³ | $35/yd³ | Material and local delivery |
| Installed fill dirt | $15/yd³ | $45/yd³ | $75/yd³ | Placement and basic compaction |
| Installed gravel or crushed stone | $45/yd³ | $70/yd³ | $110/yd³ | Material and compaction equipment |
| Small-job minimum | $150 | $350 | $800 | May apply even when volume is low |
What homeowners pay to backfill one cubic yard
For clean, locally sourced fill dirt, expect around $10-$35 per cubic yard delivered, or roughly $15-$75 per cubic yard when spread and compacted. A practical national budgeting figure for routine residential work is $40-$55 per installed cubic yard. Prices assume normal truck access, modest site preparation, and no contaminated soil or major drainage work.
Gravel, sand, and engineered fill cost more than basic soil. Installed aggregate commonly runs $45-$110 per cubic yard because the material itself costs more and may require lifts, moisture adjustment, and mechanical compaction. Assumptions: U.S. residential project, ordinary access, standard fill, and no excavation or haul-away charge. Confirm whether a quote measures loose delivered yards or compacted volume.
How soil, equipment, and delivery shape the quote
A contractor may bundle material, trucking, spreading, and compaction into one rate, while another lists each separately. These typical ranges help identify what is included; local minimums and trucking distance can shift them.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes it |
|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt or screened soil | $5-$25 per yd³ | Cleanliness, screening, and local supply |
| Gravel or crushed stone | $20-$55 per yd³ | Stone size, grade, and quarry distance |
| Delivery | $75-$250 per load | Distance, truck size, and minimum order |
| Labor and placement | $10-$35 per yd³ | Volume, wheelbarrow work, and grading |
| Compaction equipment | $50-$200 per day | Plate compactor, roller, or excavator needs |
| Soil removal and disposal | $15-$50 per yd³ | Material type and disposal site fees |
Labor may instead be billed at about $50-$100 per crew-hour, especially for small jobs or difficult access. Delivery and disposal can matter as much as the soil price on a small order.
Why depth, compaction, and access change the rate
Volume is the first major variable. A 10-yard order may face a delivery minimum, while a 50-yard project can spread trucking and equipment costs across more material. For a level area, cubic yards equal square feet multiplied by fill depth in feet, then divided by 27; a 1-foot layer over 270 square feet requires 10 cubic yards before allowance for settling.
Compaction specifications also affect the bid. A shallow garden fill may need only rough spreading, but a driveway or foundation backfill commonly requires placement in 6-12-inch lifts and tamping. Tight side yards narrower than about 8 feet may prevent truck or machine access, increasing hand labor. Wet, expansive, or unsuitable native soil can require replacement or stabilization.
Delivered loose soil settles when compacted, and the amount varies with material and moisture. Ask the contractor to state the assumed compaction percentage and whether the order includes extra volume. Detailed depth and access measurements make competing quotes more comparable.
Three backfill jobs with different cubic-yard totals
These examples illustrate how material and working conditions affect totals; they are estimates, not fixed market prices.
| Project | Scope and labor | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Small lawn depression | 4 yd³ fill dirt, local delivery, 2 workers for 3 hours | $250-$500 |
| Utility trench | 12 yd³ screened soil, 2 workers for 6 hours, lift compaction | $700-$1,300 |
| Driveway base | 30 yd³ crushed stone, machine spreading, 2 workers for 10 hours | $2,000-$3,600 |
The lawn example has a high per-yard cost because of delivery minimums and crew setup. The driveway rate per yard can be lower despite the higher project total because a truck and machine handle larger quantities efficiently. Compare total job price as well as the quoted per-yard rate.
Regional delivery differences across U.S. markets
In rural areas near a quarry or soil yard, basic delivered fill may land near the lower end of the range. Urban projects often pay 10%-30% more for labor, traffic delays, and limited truck access; remote properties can also pay more when delivery routes are long. Areas with abundant local excavation soil may have lower fill prices, while regions with strict soil-quality requirements can run higher.
As a rough comparison, a standard installed fill-dirt job might be $25-$45 per cubic yard in a lower-cost market and $45-$75 in a high-cost metro. These regional estimates depend on job size and delivery distance, not just the state. Get a delivered price tied to the site address rather than a material-only yard rate.
How crew time and delivery minimums affect small jobs
Routine machine-assisted work may take a small crew 2-6 hours for a modest residential area; larger trench or driveway jobs can require a full day or more. Hand spreading can take substantially longer, especially when soil must pass through a narrow gate. Contractors may charge a half-day or minimum service fee even if the actual placement is brief.
Truck capacity varies by vehicle and material weight, so a supplier may limit how many cubic yards of wet soil or dense stone fit on one load. Several small deliveries can cost more than one larger drop. Ask how many loads, labor hours, and equipment days the estimate includes.
Where to reduce backfill cost without weakening the base
Measure the area and intended depth before ordering, then ask the supplier how much loose volume is needed to achieve the finished compacted depth. Avoid ordering a large excess, but do not short the project if the fill must meet a structural specification. For nonstructural landscaping, suitable clean native soil may be cheaper than screened topsoil; under driveways, use the specified compactable aggregate rather than a cheaper material that will settle.
Combine delivery with other site work when practical, and compare at least three quotes with the same material grade, volume, compaction method, and haul-away scope. If excavated soil is clean and suitable, reusing it can reduce disposal and replacement charges. Do not trade away required compaction or drainage performance just to lower the unit price.