Topsoil Delivery Cost Calculator
A topsoil delivery cost calculator adds soil by the cubic yard plus spreading labor. A 20 × 15 ft bed at 6 in deep comes to about $644 at default rates.
Topsoil delivery cost calculator: soil plus spreading
A topsoil delivery cost calculator finds the cubic yards of soil for an area and a depth, prices it, and adds a spreading charge. This one uses $35 per cubic yard for the soil and $1.50 per square foot for the labor to spread it.
Cubic yards = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Soil cost = cubic yards × price per yard. Labor = area × $1.50. Total = soil + labor.
The labor charge depends on the area, not the depth. A deeper layer costs more in soil but not more in labor under this model.
Worked examples
Example 1, the default bed. 20 ft × 15 ft, 6 in deep, $35 per cubic yard.
- Area: 300 sq ft
- Volume: 300 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards
- Soil: 5.556 × $35 = $194.44
- Labor: 300 × $1.50 = $450.00
- Total: $644.44
Example 2, a front lawn rebuild. 40 ft × 25 ft, 4 in deep, $30 per cubic yard.
- Area: 1,000 sq ft
- Volume: 1,000 × 0.3333 ÷ 27 = 12.35 cubic yards
- Soil: 12.346 × $30 = $370.37
- Labor: 1,000 × $1.50 = $1,500.00
- Total: $1,870.37
Example 3, a raised bed. 10 ft × 10 ft, 12 in deep.
- Volume: 100 ÷ 27 = 3.70 cubic yards
- Soil: $129.63
- Labor: $150.00
- Total: $279.63
Cost by depth for 300 sq ft
At $35 per cubic yard and $450 flat labor.
| Depth | Cubic yards | Soil cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.85 | $64.81 | $514.81 |
| 4 in | 3.70 | $129.63 | $579.63 |
| 6 in | 5.56 | $194.44 | $644.44 |
| 8 in | 7.41 | $259.26 | $709.26 |
| 12 in | 11.11 | $388.89 | $838.89 |
Going from 2 in to 12 in raises the soil bill sixfold, and labor stays the same in the model.
How deep to spread topsoil
| Project | Common depth |
|---|---|
| Top-dressing an existing lawn | A fraction of an inch to 1 in |
| Patching low spots | 1 to 2 in |
| New lawn on poor soil | About 4 to 6 in |
| Garden beds | 6 to 12 in |
| Raised beds | The full height of the frame |
These are general guides. A local garden center or extension office can suggest depths for your plants.
What the estimate leaves out
- Delivery. Yards often charge by distance or by load.
- Settling. Fresh soil sinks as it settles, so many people order a bit extra.
- Compost or amendments mixed in
- Removal of old grass or rocks
- Grading, seed, or sod after the soil is down
Measuring
Measure the length and width of each area in feet. For a curved bed, average three widths. Decide the depth you want after the soil settles, in inches. Enter each piece separately if the depths differ, and add the totals.
Saving money
Spreading the soil yourself removes the labor line, and for example 1 that is $450 off the total. Ask the yard whether you can haul your own with a trailer, since delivery can add a lot on a small order. Order one load that covers the whole job instead of several small ones.
Common mistakes
- Entering the depth in feet. The box wants inches.
- Ordering the exact amount, with no allowance for settling.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons.
- Forgetting where the truck will dump. A pile on the driveway needs a plan to move it.
Reading the pile
A cubic yard looks like a pile about 3 ft wide, 3 ft long, and 3 ft high. The 5.56 yards in example 1 would form a heap roughly twice that size. Have a tarp or a clear patch of driveway ready for the drop, and keep a few wheelbarrows and a flat shovel on hand. Moving a pile of soil takes longer than most people expect, which is one reason the labor line is so large. If rain is in the forecast, cover the pile so the soil does not turn to mud or wash into the street.
Related calculators
The topsoil calculator gives the quantity in tons, the garden soil calculator works for beds, and the sod calculator covers the lawn on top.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in this topsoil cost estimate?
Two things: the soil, priced at $35 per cubic yard by default, and a spreading labor charge of $1.50 per square foot of the area. For a 300 sq ft bed at 6 in deep, that is $194.44 for soil and $450 for labor, for $644.44.
Is bulk topsoil cheaper than bagged?
Per cubic foot, bulk is usually cheaper once you need more than a few bags. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so check the bag size and compare the cost per cubic foot. Bags make sense for small jobs.
What is a typical price per cubic yard for bulk topsoil?
Prices vary by region, soil quality, and delivery distance. Screened soil costs more than unscreened. Call two or three local yards and enter their quote in the price box.
Why does this show cubic yards instead of tons?
Many yards sell topsoil by the cubic yard. Some sell by the ton, and this site uses about 1.1 tons per cubic yard for topsoil. The 5.56 cubic yards in the default example is roughly 6.1 tons. Ask your supplier which unit they use.
Does the estimate include the delivery fee?
No. Delivery is often charged separately by distance or load. Add the fee to the total, or raise the price per cubic yard to reflect it.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.