Fill Dirt in Richmond, IL

Delivered fill-dirt prices in the Richmond area typically range from about $10 to $25 per cubic yard, depending on local supply, truck distance, and material quality. Prices can be higher for very short-notice deliveries, extra maneuvering on tight properties, or if material needs screening or trucking from farther away. For an exact price for your address, check your zip code on Hello Gravel and request a quote.

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, so it covers about 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches, and 54 sq ft at 6 inches. These are loose volumes; you should allow a 5-10% overage for settlement and compaction. Use our material calculator or request help if your site has slopes or irregular areas.

For 1,000 sq ft, you need roughly 6.2 cubic yards at 2 inches, 12.4 cubic yards at 4 inches, and 18.5 cubic yards at 6 inches. Add 5-10% extra for compaction and uneven grading. To convert to trucks, divide the total cubic yards by the truck capacity (see next item).

Local suppliers commonly use tri-axle dump trucks that hold about 10 to 12 cubic yards loose. So a 1,000 sq ft area at 4 inches (~12.4 cy) is roughly one to two truckloads depending on truck size (one 12-yd truck or two 10-yd trucks); at 6 inches (~18.5 cy) plan on two truckloads. Always confirm truck capacity and ask your supplier to quote truck counts and access requirements.

In Richmond, homeowners and contractors use fill-dirt to raise low spots, level yards before landscaping, backfill around garages or foundations, build berms, and bring grades up for new patios or driveways. Landscapers, DIY homeowners doing yard regrades, and contractors doing site prep typically order fill-dirt. For driveways, fill-dirt is usually used as leveling/backfill under the gravel base rather than as the surface material.

Permit needs vary by project size and location; small yard leveling usually does not require a permit, but significant regrading, changing drainage, or adding large volumes of soil may require a grading or zoning permit from Richmond Village or McHenry County. If your property is in a floodplain, subdivision, or has an HOA, additional approvals may be needed. Contact Richmond village hall or McHenry County zoning to confirm before ordering large loads.

Most suppliers serving West Illinois make routine runs to Richmond and nearby rural areas like Ringwood, Wonder Lake, Spring Grove, and parts of McHenry County. Many include free or low-cost delivery within a 10-20 mile radius; beyond that you may see per-mile or zone fees added to the quote. Delivery fees vary by supplier and route—get a delivery estimate in checkout or call our team for an all-in price.

Hello Gravel requires a minimum order of 3 tons and many local suppliers have minimums in the range of 3 to 5 cubic yards for residential deliveries. Smaller orders often incur a small-order surcharge to cover truck mobilization and travel time; expect a modest fee or a higher per-cubic-yard price for under 5 cubic yards. If you only need a small amount, consider ordering together with a neighbor or asking about yard- or bagged-soil alternatives.

In Richmond and West Illinois, spring thaw and rainy periods can slow deliveries and site access, while winter weather can limit trucking or require additional precautions. Typical lead times are 2 to 7 business days for standard deliveries; next-day delivery is sometimes available if ordered before noon CST with an extra fee. For large or time-sensitive jobs, schedule as early as possible and note site access and drainage conditions in your order notes.

If your 20-ft-wide driveway equals about 1,000 sq ft and you need a 4-inch layer of fill-dirt (~12.4 cubic yards), expect material and delivery for the fill-dirt portion to run roughly $120 to $310 using typical local delivered rates of $10 to $25 per cubic yard. Adding site prep, spreading, and compaction by a contractor commonly adds $200 to $600 depending on access and labor rates, so plan roughly $320 to $910 all-in for the fill-dirt portion only. This estimate does not include gravel surfacing, edging, or drainage work; get a full quote to include those items.

Clear a safe path for the truck, mark utilities and sprinkler lines, and pick a dump location that allows the driver to avoid tight backing or crossing lawns unnecessarily. Note low-clearance wires, gates, or steep driveways in your order notes and request tailgate spreading if you want the driver to spread at their discretion. Contact our team if you need help estimating access or want recommendations for staging and compaction.