Loam typically costs $20-$75 per cubic yard before delivery, with many U.S. buyers paying about $40. Screened or blended soil, order size, delivery distance, and site access can change the total substantially; small delivered orders may cost more per yard than bulk purchases.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk loam, per cubic yard | $20 | $40 | $75 | Price varies by grade and supplier |
| Screened loam, per cubic yard | $30 | $50 | $90 | Finer soil may cost more |
| Delivery fee | $50 | $100 | $200+ | Distance, load, and access affect fee |
| One delivered cubic yard | $70 | $140 | $290+ | Small-load minimums can raise unit price |
Loam Prices Per Cubic Yard and Per Ton
For a typical landscaping project, loose bulk loam costs about $20-$75 per cubic yard, or roughly $30-$100 per ton when sold by weight. A cubic yard weighs around 1.1-1.4 tons, depending on moisture and composition, so ton-based pricing is not directly interchangeable. A 5-yard order often totals $150-$475 for soil alone, before delivery or spreading.
For budgeting, use cubic yards when comparing landscape suppliers and confirm whether the quote includes screened material. Assumptions: ordinary residential loam, standard quality, and no unusual access or grading work.
What Screened Loam Quotes Include for Materials and Delivery
A supplier quote may cover only the soil, while a landscape contractor may include delivery, spreading, and cleanup. Ask whether sales tax, minimum-load charges, and placement are included. The ranges below are common planning estimates, not fixed national rates.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk loam, per cubic yard | $20 | $40 | $75 |
| Screening or premium blend, per cubic yard | $10 | $20 | $35 |
| Delivery, per load | $50 | $100 | $200+ |
| Spreading labor, per cubic yard | $15 | $30 | $60 |
| Removal of excess soil, per cubic yard | $25 | $50 | $100 |
Delivery and labor can equal or exceed the soil price on a small order. For installation, a crew may charge about $50-$100 per worker-hour, with total labor depending on wheelbarrow distance, grading, and obstacles.
How Yardage, Soil Grade, and Moisture Change Quotes
Project volume is the first major variable. A 1-inch layer over 1,000 square feet needs about 3.1 cubic yards; a 3-inch layer needs about 9.3 cubic yards. Screened loam generally costs more than unscreened fill because it has fewer stones and clumps. A compost-enriched blend may add $10-$35 per cubic yard.
Moisture and access can change both the delivered load and the labor estimate. Wet soil weighs more by the ton, while a narrow gate, steep slope, or delivery point more than 50 feet from the work area can require extra handling. Confirm whether the supplier sells by volume or weight before ordering.
Lower Loam Costs by Ordering the Right Volume
Measure the area and desired depth before requesting quotes. Suppliers may have a minimum charge even when the job needs less than one full yard, while larger loads can lower the material price per yard. Avoid ordering extra without a use plan because surplus soil may require paid removal.
Compare at least three quotes using the same grade, quantity, delivery distance, and placement terms. Ask whether the truck can dump near the project, and handle simple spreading or final raking independently if equipment and site conditions make that practical. Do not pay for premium screened soil where rough fill is sufficient.
Delivery Fees Around Urban and Rural U.S. Markets
Delivery is often the least predictable part of a loam estimate. Near a supplier in a suburban market, a standard drop may run $50-$125; remote rural locations can reach $150-$300 or more. Dense urban areas may carry a 10%-25% premium due to traffic, restricted access, and smaller delivery windows. These are broad comparisons, and local supplier distance matters more than state lines.
Request the delivered total rather than comparing material prices alone. Some yards charge a flat fee within a service radius; others price by mileage, truck size, or number of trips. A split delivery can cost more than one full load.
How Much Loam Fits in a Pickup or Dump Truck?
A standard pickup bed generally holds about 0.5-1 cubic yard, depending on bed size and safe payload. Because wet loam can weigh over a ton per yard, vehicle payload limits are important; a pickup may not safely carry a full yard. A small dump truck commonly holds about 3-6 yards, while larger trucks can carry 10-15 yards where roads and access permit.
Check both the truck’s volume and weight limits before arranging self-haul. Suppliers may charge a loading fee or require a delivery order, and unloading a heavy load by hand adds time. For a few yards, delivered pricing may be lower once fuel, rental, and labor are included.
Loam Versus Topsoil and Compost Blends
Loam describes a soil texture with a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay; products sold as “loam” can still vary in quality. General screened topsoil commonly costs $20-$60 per cubic yard, while compost-enriched planting blends may range from $35-$90. Fill dirt is often cheaper at $10-$30 per yard but is not a substitute for a healthy planting layer.
Ask for the blend description and intended use, not just the product name. For lawn leveling, screened loam may be appropriate; garden beds may benefit from a tested compost blend. Soil testing, if needed, can add roughly $15-$50 through a local lab.
Three Delivered Loam Quotes for Common Yard Projects
A 500-square-foot lawn patch with 2 inches of loam requires about 3.1 cubic yards. At $40 per yard plus a $90 delivery fee and $100-$200 for spreading, the estimate is roughly $315-$415.
A 1,000-square-foot lawn renovation with 3 inches needs about 9.3 yards. At $35-$55 per yard, $100-$175 delivery, and $250-$500 for spreading, expect about $675-$1,185.
Small loads carry the highest delivered cost per cubic yard. A 2-yard garden-bed order at $50 per yard plus a $100 delivery minimum and $60-$150 for placement may total $260-$350. Actual quotes depend on grade, labor access, and local rates.