Fill sand typically costs $10-$30 per ton at the supplier, or about $250-$700 delivered for a 10-ton order, depending on distance and minimum charges. The cost of fill sand varies with quantity, moisture, local supply, truck access, and whether spreading or compaction is included.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk fill sand, material only | $10 per ton | $18 per ton | $30 per ton | Quarry or landscape-yard pickup |
| Bulk sand delivered | $20 per ton | $35 per ton | $60 per ton | Often subject to order minimums and distance |
| One cubic yard, delivered equivalent | $30 | $50 | $90 | Roughly 1.3-1.5 tons, before unusual delivery fees |
| Small bagged quantities | $5 per bag | $8 per bag | $15 per bag | Convenient for small repairs, costly for large fills |
| Spread and compact | $1 per sq ft | $3 per sq ft | $6 per sq ft | Site preparation and depth affect labor |
What fill sand costs by the ton and truckload
Most buyers pay $10-$30 per ton for loose fill sand before transportation. A delivered rate commonly lands around $20-$60 per ton, with the lower end more likely near a pit and on a full truckload, and the upper end more likely for a small order or a long haul. Local supplier quotes may instead use cubic yards or a flat truck fee.
For planning, a 10-ton load of ordinary fill sand often totals $250-$700 delivered. A 20-ton load may cost $400-$1,200 delivered, depending on regional material prices, truck capacity, and the driver’s route. Delivery minimums can make a small quantity disproportionately expensive.
Budget the delivered price, not just the advertised material rate. A quoted $15 per ton can become $35 per ton or more after trucking, minimum charges, and applicable taxes. Assumptions: loose, unwashed fill sand; ordinary access; no spreading or compaction included.
How material, trucking, and site work shape the quote
Supplier quotes can combine material, transportation, and placement into one price, so buyers should ask which services are included. Fill sand is generally less processed than screened or washed sand, but the exact gradation and cleanliness vary by source. A load intended for grading may not meet specifications for a construction base or drainage application.
| Quote component | Typical low | Typical average | Typical high | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill sand material | $10 per ton | $18 per ton | $30 per ton | Source, grading, moisture, and local availability |
| Truck delivery | $75 per load | $150 per load | $350 per load | Distance, truck size, fuel, and waiting time |
| Spreading with loader | $75 per hour | $110 per hour | $160 per hour | Equipment type, operator, access, and grading scope |
| Compaction work | $0.50 per sq ft | $1.50 per sq ft | $3 per sq ft | Lift thickness, soil conditions, and number of passes |
| Removal or disposal | $100 per load | $250 per load | $600 per load | Existing material, disposal site, and hauling distance |
Labor and equipment may be billed hourly, by the project, or per square foot. is a useful way to compare an hourly estimate, but it does not include equipment rental or delivery unless the quote says so. Request separate prices for sand, trucking, placement, and compaction to avoid comparing unlike bids.
Confirm whether the quote includes unloading at the intended location. A truck that can reach the driveway may not be able to dump sand precisely in a backyard, narrow side yard, or enclosed work area.
How depth, tonnage, and moisture change the amount
Quantity is a major cost driver because fill sand is sold by weight or volume, while projects are usually measured by area and depth. One cubic yard of loose fill sand weighs roughly 1.3-1.5 tons, though moisture and material density change the conversion. A wet load can weigh more without providing proportionally more usable volume.
To estimate volume, multiply the area in square feet by the planned depth in feet, then divide by 27. For example, filling a 1,000-square-foot area by 3 inches requires about 9.3 cubic yards before allowance for uneven ground or settlement. At roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that is about 13 tons; a practical order may be 14-15 tons depending on grading and compaction needs.
Thickness can change the total substantially. A 2-inch layer over 1,000 square feet requires about 6.2 cubic yards, while a 6-inch layer needs about 18.5 cubic yards. For a large fill that must support a slab or structure, an engineer or contractor may specify soil type, lift thickness, moisture conditioning, and compaction testing; ordinary fill sand should not be assumed to meet those requirements.
Measure the actual area and depth before ordering. A 10% allowance may help cover low spots and handling loss on an irregular yard, but adding extra without a placement plan can leave a costly surplus.
Where distance and regional supply raise delivery prices
Prices vary across the United States because quarries, sand pits, fuel, labor, and trucking routes are local. In areas close to a source, bulk material may be available near the low end of the range. Urban locations, islands, remote communities, and regions with limited local supply can pay more for both material and hauling.
As a broad budgeting adjustment, delivered prices in a competitive rural area near a supplier may be 10%-20% below a metro-area quote. Dense urban markets can run 10%-30% above a nearby rural baseline, while remote sites or long-distance hauls may add 25%-60% or more. These are planning differences, not fixed regional price rules; a short drive can matter more than state lines.
Truck access also affects the practical cost. A full-size dump truck may require a wide, stable route and sufficient overhead clearance. If the driver must use a smaller truck, make multiple trips, or unload at the street for a separate machine to move the material, total delivery and handling can increase.
Get a delivered quote using the exact job address. Ask whether the price is based on a round trip, mileage, load size, or a minimum fee, and whether a waiting charge applies if the dumping area is not ready.
When spreading and compaction add labor hours
Delivery alone generally leaves a pile of sand; spreading it evenly and compacting it are separate tasks. A small accessible area may take a few hours with a skid steer, while a backyard with tight access may require wheelbarrows or several laborers. Typical equipment-and-operator rates run about $75-$160 per hour, and general labor may cost $25-$60 per worker per hour, depending on market and scope.
For a straightforward 500-square-foot yard correction using a thin layer, spreading may add roughly $200-$600. Larger projects or tight access can bring placement and grading to $600-$2,000 or more. Compaction is commonly priced separately; the required passes and equipment depend on depth, soil condition, and what the fill will support.
Sand is often placed in lifts rather than compacted as one deep layer. A contractor may spread and compact 6-8-inch lifts for certain applications, but specifications vary, and a structural fill project may require thinner lifts and testing. Buyers should confirm the required finished elevation and whether compaction or testing is included.
Ask for labor hours, crew size, and equipment charges on the estimate. Those details help explain why a low material quote can still produce a high installed total.
Three fill sand budgets for common yard projects
These examples use approximate bulk weights and ordinary access. They exclude major excavation, retaining walls, engineered fill, and unusual disposal requirements. Local delivery minimums can shift a small project’s total more than its sand volume would suggest.
| Project | Quantity and rate | Labor or delivery | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low spot in a small yard | 3 tons at $18 per ton: $54 | $150-$300 small-load delivery; limited DIY raking | $200-$400 |
| Level 500 sq ft by 3 inches | About 4.7 cubic yards, or 6.5-7 tons; material $100-$210 | $150-$350 delivery; $250-$600 spreading | $500-$1,200 |
| Fill 1,000 sq ft by 6 inches | About 18.5 cubic yards, or 24-28 tons; material $240-$840 | $250-$600 delivery; $500-$1,500 spreading and compaction | $1,000-$3,000 |
In the third example, a two-load delivery may be needed if the truck cannot carry the full quantity or the supplier’s vehicle has a lower payload limit. On a sloped or uneven site, extra material may be required to reach a consistent grade. Conversely, a measured project with only localized low spots can use far less than a uniform-depth calculation suggests.
Use project totals as a check, not as a substitute for a site-specific quote. The best comparison includes tonnage, delivery count, placement method, compaction, and any cleanup or disposal.
Fill sand compared with topsoil, gravel, and screened sand
Fill sand is commonly chosen for leveling, filling voids, and raising grade where its drainage and handling properties suit the job. It is not interchangeable with every soil or aggregate. Topsoil, which often costs about $20-$60 per cubic yard delivered, is intended to support planting and typically contains more organic matter. Using fill sand as a planting layer may leave plants without suitable soil structure or nutrients.
Gravel may be preferred for some drainage or load-bearing applications, with delivered prices often around $25-$75 per ton depending on size and distance. It is heavier to handle and does not behave like sand when filling narrow spaces. Screened or washed sand commonly costs more than basic fill sand, often about $20-$50 per ton before delivery, because processing removes or controls unwanted material.
For a project beneath a building, slab, septic system, or retaining structure, the specified material matters more than the lowest price. A contractor or design professional may require compactable structural fill, a particular gradation, or test results. Replacing the specified material with inexpensive fill sand can create settlement, drainage, or inspection problems.
Match the material to the job rather than buying by price alone. A lower per-ton rate is not a saving if the sand must later be removed or fails the project specification.
How to trim a fill sand order without waste
Measure in several locations if the ground is uneven, then calculate the volume from the average depth. Check whether the supplier sells by the ton or cubic yard and ask for the expected weight-to-volume conversion. If the estimate is close to a full truckload, compare the cost of topping up a load with ordering a second delivery.
Combine orders with nearby work only when the sand type, delivery timing, and drop location are suitable. A shared truckload can reduce per-ton trucking costs, but each property must have safe access and a clear unloading plan. Scheduling a delivery when the area is ready can also avoid waiting charges or the expense of moving a pile twice.
For shallow yard work, spreading the material with hand tools may avoid machine charges if access is easy and the area is small. For deeper fill, long distances, or a large area, equipment can reduce labor time; compare the machine and operator price with the cost of manual labor. Do not skip required compaction to lower the estimate on a load-bearing project.
Control the scope and delivery plan before negotiating the rate. Compare at least two or three written quotes that state the sand specification, quantity, delivered price, number of loads, placement, compaction, taxes, and extra charges. Ask whether unused material is returnable; many suppliers charge for a second pickup or do not accept returns.