Fill Dirt in Houma, LA

Delivered fill-dirt prices in Houma usually fluctuate with season, fuel, and local supply; expect a rough range of $12 to $30 per ton delivered. Small jobs and special delivery requests can raise the per-ton cost, while bulk orders may be toward the lower end; get an exact quote by entering your zip code or contacting Hello Gravel for current local pricing.

For Houma's coastal, high-groundwater conditions, choose low-organic, well-graded fill-dirt with a sand/clay balance rather than topsoil or mulch. Cleaner, denser fill with minimal roots and organics reduces long-term settlement and decomposition; for critical projects consider engineered structural fill or a sand/gravel blend and discuss specs with your supplier.

One cubic yard of fill-dirt typically weighs about 1.2 to 1.6 tons depending on moisture and compaction; use 1.3 tons/yd3 for quick estimates. For 1,000 sq ft you can estimate: 1 inch = ~4.0 tons, 3 inches = ~12.0 tons, and 6 inches = ~24.1 tons of fill-dirt (formula: cubic yards = area*depth inches/324, then multiply by ~1.3 tons/yd3).

Hello Gravel connects you with trusted local suppliers around Houma and Terrebonne Parish; availability varies by zip code. Our platform typically requires a 3-ton minimum order, and deliveries are made by contracted dump truck fleets (usually tri-axle); contact Hello Gravel to see which local suppliers serve your address and current minimums.

Permits may be required if your project impacts a floodplain, wetlands, shoreline, or involves substantial grading or drainage changes; small yard fills often do not require permits but rules vary. Before large fills or work near waterways, contact Terrebonne Parish Planning and Zoning and the Parish floodplain administrator to confirm permit requirements and any coastal zone or wetlands regulations.

Houma's wet climate and high groundwater increase settlement risk and make compaction more difficult, especially for clay-rich fill. Place fill in thin, controlled lifts with proper compaction, improve surface and subsurface drainage, and favor more granular mixes where possible to reduce long-term settlement and water retention issues.

Fill-dirt is suitable for raising grades and backfill when it is clean, free of organics, and properly compacted, but it is not an ideal wearing surface for driveways. For driveways and under-slab structural work, use compacted structural fill or granular base layers and finish driveways with crushed stone or asphalt; for slabs, engineered fill or compacted sand/gravel is often recommended to meet building standards.

Small residential patches are commonly compacted with a plate compactor using 4-6 inch lifts; larger areas require a vibratory roller or sheepsfoot roller and staged lifts. Critical or structural fills should be tested (Proctor/compaction testing) and follow recommended target densities (often 90-95% of standard or modified Proctor) — consult a geotechnical engineer for important foundations or grades.

Expect some settlement during the first year after placement; low spots may need regrading and additional material. With proper compaction, drainage, and erosion control, fill-dirt installations can perform well for many years, but ongoing maintenance like regrading, re-compacting, and repairing erosion is common in Houma's climate.

Fill-dirt is usually the least expensive option and works well for raising grade or general fill, but it has poorer drainage and is more prone to settling than crushed stone or clean granular fill. Crushed stone or clean gravel costs more but gives far better load-bearing, drainage, and long-term performance for driveways and under-slab work; choose based on project purpose and budget, or combine fill-dirt for bulk raising with a granular structural base for finished surfaces.