A stone and soil price list typically ranges from about $20 to $150 per ton for stone and $20 to $80 per cubic yard for soil, before delivery. Material type, order size, distance, access, and whether spreading is included have the biggest effect on the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | $20 per cubic yard | $38 per cubic yard | $80 per cubic yard | Screened or blended soil costs more |
| Fill dirt | $10 per cubic yard | $25 per cubic yard | $45 per cubic yard | Unsifted material is usually cheapest |
| Crushed gravel | $20 per ton | $45 per ton | $75 per ton | Price varies by size and local quarry |
| Pea gravel | $30 per ton | $55 per ton | $90 per ton | Rounded decorative aggregate |
| Decorative stone | $45 per ton | $85 per ton | $150 per ton | Color, grade, and source drive price |
| Delivery | $50 per load | $100 per load | $250 or more per load | Distance and truck size affect charges |
Stone and Soil Prices by Yard, Ton, and Material
Bulk fill dirt commonly costs $10-$45 per cubic yard, while screened topsoil is about $20-$80 per cubic yard. Compost-enriched garden blends may reach $40-$100 per cubic yard. Prices assume loose bulk material purchased from a landscape supplier or quarry; premium blends and small orders can cost more per unit.
Stone is generally priced by the ton. Crushed limestone, road base, and standard gravel often run $20-$75 per ton. Pea gravel is commonly $30-$90 per ton, while decorative river rock, marble chips, and specialty stone can cost $45-$150 per ton. A one-ton order may carry a higher delivered unit cost than a larger load.
For a basic budget, plan on $20-$80 per cubic yard for soil and $20-$90 per ton for common stone, then add delivery. Stone weight varies by rock type and moisture; a cubic yard often weighs roughly 1.2-1.7 tons. Confirm the supplier’s conversion before ordering by volume.
Assumptions: Bulk landscape materials, standard grades, no spreading, and ordinary truck access; local quarry and supplier prices vary.
How Delivery, Dumping, and Spreading Change the Quote
The material line is only part of the bill. Suppliers may charge a flat delivery fee, a distance-based fee, or a minimum-load charge. For a local drop, delivery commonly adds $50-$150; longer routes, oversized trucks, or difficult access can raise that to $150-$400 or more. Some suppliers include delivery in a quoted per-ton price, so the estimate should be checked for duplication.
Spreading by hand or with a small machine is usually quoted separately. Basic labor may run $50-$100 per worker-hour, while a skid steer or compact loader may add $150-$350 per day or be included in a contractor’s project rate. Removing old gravel, moving material through a narrow gate, or placing it uphill can increase labor and equipment time.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk topsoil | $20-$80 per cubic yard | Standard soil through screened blend | Premium amendments can exceed range |
| Common stone | $20-$90 per ton | Road base, crushed rock, pea gravel | Decorative grades cost more |
| Delivery | $50-$250 per load | Truck travel and unloading | Minimums may apply to small orders |
| Spreading labor | $50-$100 per worker-hour | Raking, leveling, or wheelbarrow placement | Machine access can reduce hours |
| Removal and disposal | $30-$100 per cubic yard | Excavation and hauling away old material | Contaminated or wet soil may cost more |
Ask whether the delivered price includes unloading at the required location, not merely curbside drop-off. A dump truck may be unable to place material precisely, and spreading, grading, or wheelbarrow hauling may require a separate crew.
Which Stone Size, Soil Grade, and Order Volume Raise Prices?
Material specifications are a major price lever. Standard ¾-inch crushed stone is often less expensive than washed decorative gravel or color-sorted river rock. Specialty stone can cost $20-$75 more per ton than basic aggregate. For soil, unscreened fill is inexpensive, but screened topsoil removes larger debris and often costs $10-$35 more per cubic yard.
Order volume changes the delivered price per unit. A supplier may charge a $75-$150 minimum delivery even when the order is only one or two yards. Larger orders can spread that fee across more material, but a truck’s capacity and driveway conditions limit how much can arrive at once. A typical dump truck may carry roughly 10-16 tons, subject to local weight limits and material density.
Coverage depth also changes the quantity needed. One cubic yard covers about 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, or about 108 square feet at 3 inches. For stone, a 2-inch layer over 100 square feet needs about 0.62 cubic yard; the tonnage depends on the stone. Soil settled into a low area may require extra volume, while a prepared, level bed needs less.
Measure the area and planned depth before requesting a quote; a depth change from 2 inches to 4 inches roughly doubles the material requirement. For a driveway, specify the base layer and top layer separately because compaction and aggregate size affect both quantity and price.
Control the Stone and Soil Scope Before Ordering
One of the most effective ways to reduce a bill is to order the correct grade and quantity rather than choosing the cheapest material by name alone. Fill dirt works for raising grade but is not a substitute for screened topsoil in a planting bed. Likewise, inexpensive fine gravel may not perform like compactable road base under vehicle traffic.
Compare at least three local quotes using the same material description, quantity, delivery distance, and placement requirements. Ask for the price per ton or cubic yard plus delivery, taxes, minimum charges, and any fuel surcharge. A quote that looks cheaper per ton may cost more after delivery or if it requires an additional load.
Prepare the site before delivery by clearing vegetation, marking underground utilities, and arranging a safe dump location. Consolidating soil and stone into one scheduled delivery may reduce separate trip fees if the supplier can transport both materials. Avoid paying for spreading when the site is accessible and the work can be safely completed with available tools.
Keep savings focused on quantity, delivery, and unnecessary handling rather than compromising the material needed for drainage, compaction, or planting. Confirm the supplier’s return policy: bulk material that has been unloaded is often not returnable, and unused material may require paid hauling.
How Many Labor Hours Do Stone and Soil Projects Need?
Delivery alone can take less than an hour on site, but installation time depends on access and the method of placement. A two-person crew may spread 2-4 cubic yards of topsoil in a few hours when the truck can dump close to the work area. Moving the same amount through a long side yard with wheelbarrows can take most of a workday.
Small machine work may be priced by the hour, commonly around $75-$150 per equipment hour, or by a half-day or full-day rate. Contractors may also apply a minimum service charge of $150-$400 for short jobs. For a larger grading or driveway project, labor and equipment may be included in a project quote rather than itemized.
For example, 6 hours of two-person labor at $60-$90 per worker-hour equals $720-$1,080 before equipment, material, or disposal. The estimate should state whether travel time, site preparation, compaction, and cleanup are included.
Access can matter as much as area: a truck drop near the work can reduce handling hours substantially. Narrow gates, steep slopes, soft ground, steps, and overhead wires may prevent machine use or require smaller loads and more manual labor.
Bulk Stone and Soil Versus Bagged Landscape Material
Bulk material usually has the lowest unit price once an order reaches several cubic yards or tons. Bagged topsoil commonly costs about $3-$8 per 1-cubic-foot bag, equivalent to roughly $81-$216 per cubic yard before delivery. Bagged decorative stone can cost $5-$15 per small bag, making it expensive for broad coverage but practical for a few pots or a small repair.
Bulk orders suit projects such as garden beds, lawn leveling, drainage trenches, and driveways. Bags can be easier where a truck cannot reach, where storage space is limited, or where only a small quantity is required. However, unloading and carrying dozens of bags takes time, and bag prices usually include packaging and retail handling.
For a small project, compare the total delivered bulk quote with the number of bags required, including sales tax and any store delivery fee. A supplier may sell half-yard or one-yard quantities, but a minimum delivery can erase the apparent savings on a modest order.
Bulk tends to win on price for larger volumes; bags can be more economical when the project needs less than about half a cubic yard or requires hand-carry access.
Three Stone and Soil Orders With Realistic Budget Ranges
These examples show how material, delivery, and handling combine; local quotes can fall outside the ranges.
| Project | Material estimate | Delivery and labor | Likely total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden bed refresh | 3 cubic yards screened topsoil at $30-$60 per yard: $90-$180 | $75-$150 delivery; 2 workers for 3-4 hours at $50-$85 per hour: $300-$680 | $465-$1,010 |
| Small gravel path | 2 tons pea gravel at $40-$75 per ton: $80-$150 | $75-$150 delivery; 2-3 labor hours at $50-$85 per hour: $100-$255 | $255-$555 |
| Driveway stone refresh | 10 tons crushed aggregate at $25-$55 per ton: $250-$550 | $100-$250 delivery; machine grading and labor: $300-$800 | $650-$1,600 |
The garden-bed estimate assumes ordinary access and no excavation. The gravel path assumes a prepared base and a single local delivery. The driveway range assumes that existing material can be graded; removing and disposing of failed stone can add several hundred dollars or more.
A simple material-only calculation is useful for checking a quote. For example, a 10-ton aggregate order at $40 per ton is $400 before delivery, tax, and installation. If the estimate lists a different quantity, ask for the measured area, planned depth, and conversion used.
Regional Delivery Rates and Seasonal Price Differences
Prices vary with quarry access, supplier competition, fuel, and distance. Areas close to an active quarry may have stone prices 10%-25% below a distant metro market, while urban delivery and limited truck access can add 10%-30%. Remote rural locations may face higher hauling charges even when the material itself is inexpensive.
Topsoil pricing also reflects local supply. Regions with nearby excavation or compost operations may offer lower fill and blended-soil rates; areas with limited screened-soil suppliers can run 15%-30% higher. Dense cities may charge more for delivery windows, permits, or restricted unloading locations.
Spring and early summer are busy periods for landscaping suppliers, and urgent deliveries may cost more or have fewer available time slots. Off-season ordering can sometimes reduce delivery pressure, but wet or frozen ground may prevent access. Request current delivered pricing rather than assuming a national average applies.
Compare the delivered total in the same week, since a lower material price can be offset by a longer haul or peak-season fee. Ask whether a quote is valid for a fixed period and whether fuel or supply surcharges can change before delivery.