Fill Dirt in Umstead, NC

In the Umstead area, delivered fill dirt typically runs in the range of $20 to $60 per cubic yard depending on supplier, distance from the pit, and site access. Prices vary with volume, truck access, and moisture content, and Hello Gravel requires a minimum order of about 3 tons. Contact us or check the checkout for an exact quote for your zip code and delivery date.

Gravel is almost always the better and more cost-effective choice for a driveway base in Umstead because it drains and compacts into a stable surface. Fill dirt is intended for structural fill and grade raising but holds water and can rut under traffic, especially in the clay-influenced soils around Umstead. For driveways we recommend a crushed stone base (3/4" crusher-run or similar) with a top layer of surface gravel.

If your goal is a final lawn or planting surface, use fill dirt (or screened fill) to build up low areas and then cap with several inches of topsoil for planting; gravel alone will not support turf. For spots with drainage problems common to parts of Umstead (clay subsoil), consider a gravel or stone layer under hardscape areas to improve drainage, and use fill dirt only where structural raising is needed. If you are unsure, order fill dirt for raising grades and topsoil for the final 2–4 inches where you will seed or plant.

Volume = area × depth, so 20 ft × 30 ft × 0.5 ft = 300 cubic feet, which is about 11.1 cubic yards. We recommend ordering about 10–15 percent extra to allow for compaction and settlement, so plan to order roughly 12 to 13 cubic yards. Remember our minimum order is about 3 tons, so this size job meets that requirement.

A single dump-truck load (roughly 8–12 cubic yards for a tri-axle) typically costs in the ballpark of $250 to $900 delivered in the Umstead area, depending on haul distance and material. Two loads simply double the material and delivery labor portion, though some suppliers offer slightly lower per-yard pricing for larger orders. Exact pricing will depend on route, access, and whether any spreading or special handling is requested.

Loose fill dirt can settle right away under foot or equipment and will continue to consolidate over weeks to months; in many cases you should expect most visible settlement within 30 to 90 days, with slower consolidation continuing up to a year. To reduce the need for additional material, place fill in lifts and compact where possible; if you are not compacting, plan to check grades after heavy rain and add material as needed. In Umstead's wetter months, expect more settlement and allow extra time before final grading and seeding.

Hello Gravel coordinates material delivery; tailgate spreading by the driver may be available at their discretion but compaction and machine grading are not guaranteed through our standard delivery. Many customers hire local contractors for spreading, grading, and compaction; that work is billed separately and pricing depends on equipment and time. If you need full installation, contact our team and we can help connect you with local installers or provide guidance on expected contractor costs.

Use fill dirt (structural fill) for the bulk of backfill where you need to raise grade or support structures, and reserve topsoil for the top few inches where you will plant or seed. In Umstead's clay-prone conditions, make sure foundation areas slope away for drainage and avoid using rich topsoil directly against foundation walls. If in doubt, order fill dirt for fill/backfill and then add 2–4 inches of topsoil for final landscaping.

Hello Gravel has a minimum order of about 3 tons so we generally cannot deliver loads under a cubic yard through our standard service. For very small amounts, many homeowners buy bagged materials at local home centers or purchase by the pickup load from nearby landscape suppliers; pricing and availability for pickup loads vary by supplier. Contact customer service if you need help locating bagged products or smaller suppliers in the Umstead area.

A 50 lb bag contains roughly 0.5 cubic feet of material and will cover about 6 square feet at 1 inch depth. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals about 54 of those 50-lb bags and will cover roughly 324 square feet at 1 inch depth. For deeper fills (for example 6 inches) divide accordingly: one cubic yard covers about 54 square feet at 6 inches.