Fill Dirt in Washington, NH

Fill-dirt is basic soil used to raise grade or fill depressions; it is typically native earth with most organics screened out and particle sizes up to about 3/4 inch. In Washington, NH you’ll usually get locally sourced material that reflects regional glacial soils, so color and texture can vary. Fill-dirt is great for general yard grading and utility trenches but is not always suitable as a driveway base or structural fill without proper compaction and testing.

Delivered prices in the Washington, NH area commonly range from about $12 to $28 per ton, which converts roughly to $15 to $36 per cubic yard using typical densities. Final price depends on supplier, screening, distance from the pit, truck access, and any spreading or tipping fees. Check your zip code in our checkout to see current, exact pricing and available delivery options.

Measure area (square feet) and multiply by depth (feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by an assumed density to get tons; for fill-dirt in West New Hampshire use about 1.2 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard (1.3 tons/yd3 is a good working number). Example: a 12x30 ft driveway with 2 inches of fill is 360 ft2 x 0.167 ft = 60 ft3 = 2.22 yd3, which is about 2.9 tons at 1.3 tons/yd3.

For non-structural yard fill, ask for screened fill-dirt with low organic content and particles generally under 3/4 inch. For driveways and foundations, contractors usually prefer a well-graded structural fill or crushed stone (0-3/4u0022 crusher run or 3/4u0022 clean stone) rather than plain fill-dirt. If your project needs engineered compaction (foundations, retaining walls, driveways) request a contractor-specified gradation and compaction testing before delivery.

Washington experiences seasonal freeze-thaw cycles that can cause heaving and settlement if fill contains frost-susceptible fines or excess moisture. Best practice is to place non-organic, well-graded fill in thin lifts (6 to 8 inches loose) and compact each lift with the right equipment. Avoid using uncompacted fill-dirt as the final wearing surface for driveways, and schedule placement in drier months when possible to reduce long-term settling.

Permitting rules vary by town and by whether the work affects wetlands, shorelands, or stormwater drainage; Washington may require permits or notifications for significant grading or work near watercourses. Always check with the Washington town office and, when relevant, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for wetland or stormwater requirements. Use basic erosion controls like silt fence, temporary seed or mulch, and stabilize bare soil promptly to meet common local standards.

Hello Gravel connects you with local suppliers and contracted dump truck fleets that serve West New Hampshire; exact suppliers vary by zip code. Typical delivery is by tri-axle dump truck carrying roughly 10 to 12 tons (12 to 14 cubic yards) with Hello Gravel’s minimum order of 3 tons; some pits or haulers may require larger minimums for longer runs. Delivery radius for local suppliers is commonly 15 to 50 miles, so price and minimums depend on the supplier location and access to your site.

Common alternatives include bankrun (unscreened pit-run gravel), crusher run (crushed stone with fines), and screened loam/topsoil. Contractors in Washington often recommend crusher run or 3/4u0022 stone for driveway bases because those materials shed water and compact reliably, while screened loam is used for final landscaping because it supports grass and plants. Fill-dirt is most cost-effective for raising grades and filling trenches, but for structural or surface applications ask your contractor which material meets load and drainage needs.

Labor and compaction costs vary with job size and site access; expect spreading and compaction to run roughly $0.20 to $0.75 per square foot for simple yard grading, or about $10 to $30 per ton when contractors price by material moved. Small jobs often carry a minimum labor charge or a $300 to $800 site minimum; heavy equipment rental or testing (proctor tests) adds to cost. Ask for itemized quotes that separate material, delivery, spreading, and compaction so you can compare accurately.