Clean fill dirt typically costs $10-$30 per cubic yard before delivery, while a small delivered order may total $150-$500 because trucking has a minimum charge. Cleanliness, soil texture, order size, hauling distance, and site access are the main price drivers.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean fill dirt, material only | $10/yd³ | $20/yd³ | $30/yd³ | Bulk price; excludes trucking |
| Delivered bulk order | $150 | $350 | $800+ | Small loads cost more per yard |
| Installed and spread | $25/yd³ | $45/yd³ | $80/yd³ | May include equipment and labor |
| Bagged fill | $5/bag | $8/bag | $15/bag | Usually 0.5 cubic ft per bag |
What clean fill dirt costs by cubic yard
Bulk clean fill commonly runs $10-$30 per cubic yard at a local supplier, or roughly $150-$500 for a delivered order of 5-10 yards. Prices assume ordinary, non-contaminated soil suitable for filling low areas, with no unusual testing, access, or grading needs. Better-screened material or fill selected for a particular soil texture can cost more.
For many residential jobs, trucking and minimum-load charges matter more than the dirt’s per-yard price. A 10-yard load at $18 per yard is $180 for material, but a $150-$300 delivery fee can bring the delivered quote to $330-$480. Local quotes may use “clean fill” differently, so buyers should confirm what the supplier means and whether the soil is screened or tested.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. supplier pricing, standard fill, local delivery, and normal truck access.
How trucking, spreading, and material shape the quote
Ask suppliers to separate dirt, hauling, and placement charges. A quote that includes spreading may use a loader or skid steer; a dump-only delivery leaves moving and leveling to the buyer. The table shows common residential ranges, but local minimums and equipment availability vary.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk fill material | $10/yd³ | $20/yd³ | $30/yd³ | Texture and screening |
| Local delivery | $75 | $150 | $300 | Per load, often with minimum |
| Spreading and rough grading | $10/yd³ | $25/yd³ | $50/yd³ | Equipment and labor |
| Soil testing or documentation | $0 | $100 | $400+ | Depends on requested testing |
| Extra handling or disposal | $50 | $150 | $500+ | Site or excess-soil conditions |
Placement labor is a separate expense when the truck cannot dump close to the fill area. Labor and equipment commonly add $50-$125 per hour, with a minimum charge possible for short jobs.
How yardage, soil type, and truck access change the price
Estimate volume before ordering: cubic yards equal length in feet × width in feet × fill depth in feet ÷ 27. A 20-by-30-foot area raised 6 inches needs about 11.1 cubic yards before settling or waste. Ordering a little extra can avoid a second delivery, but large excesses may require paid removal.
Depth and truck access can move a quote sharply even when the material price stays fixed. A project needing 5 yards may face a higher per-yard delivered rate than a 20-yard order because of minimum trucking. Narrow gates, overhead wires, soft ground, steep driveways, or a distance over about 50-100 feet from the dump point can require extra machine handling. Screened fill may cost several dollars more per yard than rough fill.
What delivery minimums and placement fees add
Truck capacity and supplier policy determine the smallest economical order. A typical dump truck may carry roughly 10-15 cubic yards, though legal payload depends on soil weight and local limits. A supplier may charge a minimum even for a partial load, and a second truck trip can cost more than the extra dirt itself.
Confirm whether the driver can safely dump at the intended location before scheduling. Dump-only service generally costs less than spreading, but it can leave a large pile to move. If a loader is needed, ask whether the rate includes travel, fuel, operator time, and rough leveling. Street placement may require local permission or traffic arrangements; rules differ by municipality.
How clean fill prices compare across U.S. regions
Rates tend to be lower where quarries, excavation sites, and truck routes are nearby, and higher in dense metros or areas with limited supply. As a broad budgeting adjustment, rural markets may run 10%-20% below a national midpoint, while major coastal cities can run 15%-40% above it. These are planning ranges, not guaranteed local price differences.
Hauling distance often explains more regional variation than the soil itself. A nearby source can keep a modest order affordable, while a long haul or difficult delivery window increases the trucking charge. Compare quotes from suppliers within the same practical delivery radius and check whether each price includes tax, load minimums, and placement.
Three sample clean fill dirt quotes for home projects
These examples illustrate how quantity and service affect the total. They assume ordinary clean fill, local hauling, and no unusual site constraints.
| Project | Material and service | Estimated total | Equivalent rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small garden low spot | 3 yd³ at $25; $150 minimum delivery | $225 | $75/yd³ delivered |
| Backyard leveling | 10 yd³ at $18; $175 delivery; 3 labor hours at $85 | $610 | $61/yd³ placed |
| Large lawn fill | 25 yd³ at $15; two loads at $175 each; 5 equipment hours at $100 | $1,025 | $41/yd³ placed |
The small-load example has the highest per-yard rate because delivery is spread across only three yards. Site preparation, taxes, and extensive grading are excluded.
When screened topsoil or gravel is worth the added price
Clean fill is generally intended to raise or support grade, not to serve as planting soil. Screened topsoil often costs about $20-$50 per cubic yard before delivery and is more suitable for lawns and garden beds. Gravel or crushed stone commonly costs $20-$60 per cubic yard, depending on type, and may be appropriate for drainage or a stable base where soil alone is unsuitable.
Using the right layer can prevent paying for expensive material throughout the full depth. For example, a project may use clean fill for the bulk of the lift and a thinner topsoil layer for seeding. Confirm the design with a qualified professional if the fill supports a structure, affects drainage, or is subject to local construction requirements.
How to lower a delivered fill dirt bill
Measure the area and planned depth carefully, then request prices for the same yardage and service scope from at least three nearby suppliers. Ask for separate material and delivery charges, the truck’s minimum load, and a written description of the soil. Combining work into one larger delivery can reduce per-yard hauling expense when the site can use the material safely.
Save by simplifying delivery and placement, not by accepting soil of unknown quality. Clear the dump route, identify overhead hazards, and choose a practical drop point before the truck arrives. Avoid paying for spreading if the buyer can move the pile with available equipment, but include rental and operator costs in that comparison. Do not order premium screened material for a basic fill layer unless the project requires it.
Confirm drainage plans before raising grade near a house, driveway, or property line. A low material quote may not include testing, permits, machine work, or disposal, and those costs can exceed the savings if the soil is unsuitable or the drop location causes rehandling.