Fill Dirt in San Francisco, CA

Prices in the San Francisco area vary by supplier, but expect roughly $20 to $60 per cubic yard delivered, or about $25 to $75 per ton depending on moisture and compaction. Delivery, access difficulty, minimum orders (Hello Gravel minimum is 3 tons), and local hauling fees can push the price toward the higher end. For an exact, up-to-date total for your zip code, get a quote through Hello Gravel.

Generally yes: loose fill dirt is usually less expensive per yard than crushed gravel or base rock. However, for many projects (driveways, load-bearing pads, drainage areas) you may still need gravel or crushed rock on top of compacted fill, which raises total cost. Calculate material needs for the whole system, not just the top layer, to compare true project costs.

Fill dirt is commonly used to raise and level yards in San Francisco, but it needs proper placement and compaction to avoid future settling, especially on slopes. Hello Gravel can deliver fill dirt to most SF addresses; drivers may perform tailgate spreading at their discretion but spreading and compaction are best contracted to a landscaper or contractor. On steep or constrained SF lots, professional grading advice is recommended to address drainage and erosion.

One cubic yard covers about 3.09 square yards per inch of depth, so 1,000 sq ft equals roughly 3.09 cubic yards per inch of fill. For common depths: 2u0022 = about 6.2 yd, 4u0022 = about 12.4 yd, 6u0022 = about 18.5 yd; at ~1.2 tons/yd that is roughly 7-22 tons respectively. Using local delivered prices ($20-$60/yd) that 4u0022 example would cost roughly $250 to $750 delivered; get a Hello Gravel quote for an exact price.

One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, roughly a 3 ft by 3 ft by 3 ft pile. Examples: to raise a 100 sq ft patio by 4u0022 you need about 1.2 cubic yards; to add 4u0022 to a 1,000 sq ft lawn you need about 12.4 cubic yards. For tight SF properties, consider truck access and ordering a little extra to allow for compaction and settlement.

You should not simply dump gravel on loose dirt and expect a durable surface. Proper base work typically includes well-compacted fill or engineered subgrade and a layer of crushed rock or gravel designed for drainage and load-bearing. In San Francisco, where clay soils and slopes are common, compaction and correct base materials are especially important to prevent rutting and drainage issues.

A typical tri-axle dump truck carries about 10 to 14 cubic yards; smaller single-axle or residential dump trucks hold 4 to 8 cubic yards. Hello Gravel works with local fleets and can often arrange smaller trucks or offload in multiple deliveries for tight-access SF properties, though access restrictions and extra fees may apply. Remember Hello Gravel's minimum order is 3 tons, so very small jobs may still need coordination.

Fill dirt lacks organic matter and nutrients, so it is not ideal as a final planting surface for lawns or gardens. For healthy grass you should top with 4u0022 to 6u0022 of quality topsoil or amended soil; some homeowners blend topsoil into the surface layer. Hello Gravel suppliers can deliver topsoil as well, and you can request spreading at checkout, but spreading is at the driver's discretion and hiring a landscaper is recommended for installation.

Costs vary with width, depth, material quality, and labor, but for a typical 20 ft long by 10 ft wide driveway (200 sq ft) needing a 6u0022 raise you would need about 3.7 cubic yards of fill (roughly 4 to 5 tons). Material and delivery for that fill might run $80 to $300, but you will also need a compacted gravel base and installation labor, which typically add several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on access and site prep. Get a combined quote for materials and installation to understand the full San Francisco cost.

Small deliveries for yard leveling rarely need permits, but larger grading, changes to drainage, retaining walls, or work on steep slopes may trigger San Francisco Department of Building Inspection rules and permit requirements. Always check local codes before major fill or grading work, and consult a contractor for projects that affect runoff, neighboring properties, or structural elements.