Decomposed granite (DG) typically costs $4-$15 per square foot installed, with many standard projects landing near $8 per square foot. The total depends on area and depth, whether the surface is loose or stabilized, site preparation, labor, and delivery distance; bulk material alone is much less expensive.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DG material | $35/ton | $65/ton | $110/ton | Bulk price varies by color and supplier |
| Installed loose DG | $4/sq ft | $8/sq ft | $12/sq ft | Typical path or patio with basic preparation |
| Installed stabilized DG | $7/sq ft | $12/sq ft | $18/sq ft | Includes stabilizer and more installation work |
| Small delivery | $75 | $150 | $300 | Depends on load size and distance |
What a decomposed granite path or patio usually costs
For a typical 300-square-foot path or patio, expect about $1,200-$3,600 for loose DG installed, or $2,100-$5,400 for stabilized DG. A 500-square-foot area may cost $2,000-$6,000 loose or $3,500-$9,000 stabilized. These estimates assume a relatively level site, ordinary access, and no major drainage or retaining work.
Loose DG is a lower-cost surface, but it can shift and may need replenishment. Stabilized DG uses a binding additive to improve firmness and reduce erosion; it generally costs more and still requires correct grading and compaction. A practical planning figure is $8-$12 per square foot for a professionally installed, everyday DG surface.
Assumptions: U.S. contractor pricing, standard DG color, normal access, and no extensive excavation.
How material, labor, and base work shape the quote
DG is often priced by the ton, while installation estimates are usually calculated by square foot. A 3-inch layer covers roughly 80-90 square feet per ton, depending on material density and compaction. Thicker applications require more material and may need additional base preparation.
| Quote component | Typical cost | What it covers | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| DG material | $35-$110 | Standard or specialty color aggregate | Per ton |
| Labor | $2-$6 | Spreading, grading, and compaction | Per square foot |
| Excavation and base | $1-$5 | Removing soil and adding compacted base | Per square foot |
| Stabilizer | $1-$4 | Binding additive and installation | Per square foot |
| Delivery and disposal | $75-$500 | Aggregate delivery or soil haul-away | Per load or job |
Labor charges vary with crew size and site conditions; a small crew may spend 6-12 hours on a straightforward 300-square-foot installation. Ask whether the quote includes excavation, edging, base rock, compaction, and haul-away, since a low material price does not necessarily mean a low installed total. Base preparation and labor can cost more than the DG itself.
Depth, stabilizer, and slope change the installed price
Depth is a major material-cost driver. A 2-inch finish layer uses less DG than a 4-inch layer, but paths intended for regular foot traffic often need a compacted base beneath the finish. For a 400-square-foot area, increasing the DG layer from 2 inches to 4 inches can nearly double the finish-material quantity.
Stabilized DG commonly adds $1-$4 per square foot compared with a similar loose installation. A slope above roughly 5% can increase grading, drainage, and erosion-control work; steep areas may need edging or a different surface design. Poorly draining clay soil, roots, and difficult equipment access can also raise labor and preparation costs. Confirm the specified depth and base thickness in writing rather than comparing quotes by square footage alone.
Delivery, excavation, and edging can add separate charges
Small orders may carry a delivery minimum even when the material quantity is modest. A local bulk delivery often costs $75-$300, while longer distances, limited truck access, or multiple loads can push delivery and handling above $300. Bagged DG is convenient for small repairs but usually costs more per ton than bulk material.
Removing existing sod or gravel may add $1-$5 per square foot, depending on depth and disposal fees. Metal, stone, or wood edging can add about $3-$15 per linear foot installed. These items should appear as separate quote lines so the owner can distinguish required preparation from optional finish details. Check whether disposal and delivery are included before accepting a per-square-foot estimate.
Installation hours depend on access and square footage
A clear, level 300-square-foot area may take a two- or three-person crew about 6-12 hours, including spreading and compaction. A larger 800-square-foot project can take one to three workdays if excavation, a base layer, edging, or stabilized application is involved. Narrow gates, stairs, hand-carrying material, and limited truck access add time.
For labor-only estimates, landscaping crews commonly charge around $50-$100 per worker-hour, though local rates vary. A contractor may instead bundle labor into an installed square-foot price. Ask for the estimated crew size, work hours, and equipment needs when comparing labor-based bids.
Regional DG prices reflect stone supply and labor rates
DG is most readily available in parts of the West and Southwest, where local quarries can keep material and freight costs lower. In areas far from a quarry or established supplier, delivered material may cost 10%-30% more. Urban labor and disposal charges can also run 10%-25% above nearby rural pricing, while remote sites may incur extra travel or delivery fees.
Color and aggregate source affect the quote as well. A locally common tan or gold DG may be cheaper than a specialty red, gray, or screened product shipped from farther away. Compare delivered prices, not just advertised per-ton rates, when suppliers are in different locations.
Three DG project budgets for common yard sizes
| Project | Scope | Estimated total | Price detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 150 sq ft, loose DG, light prep | $600-$1,500 | $4-$10 per sq ft |
| Backyard patio | 300 sq ft, base preparation, stabilized finish | $2,100-$5,400 | $7-$18 per sq ft |
| Large side yard | 800 sq ft, excavation, base, loose DG | $4,000-$9,600 | $5-$12 per sq ft |
These examples assume ordinary material access and exclude major drainage construction, retaining walls, and unusually high disposal costs. The small-path price per square foot can be higher because delivery and contractor minimums are spread across fewer square feet. Use the project total as well as the unit rate when judging whether a quote is reasonable.
Where to reduce a DG quote without sacrificing the base
Keep the project boundaries simple, measure the area accurately, and avoid ordering substantially more material than the specified depth requires. For a broad, low-traffic area, loose DG may be adequate; reserve stabilizer for places where firmness or erosion control justifies the added expense. Reusing suitable existing base material can reduce excavation and aggregate costs, but only if it drains and compacts properly.
Get at least three itemized quotes using the same area, depth, stabilizer, base, and disposal scope. Scheduling outside peak landscaping periods may improve contractor availability, though seasonal savings vary by location. Do not cut costs by skipping necessary grading or compaction, which can lead to washouts and repeat work.