Fill-dirt in Paris, TN

Fill-dirt is natural soil used to raise low areas and fill holes; in Paris and West Tennessee it often contains clay and native topsoil. It is meant to change grade rather than provide a finished surface, so it is commonly covered with gravel or turf after placement.

Local rates in West Tennessee vary, but fill-dirt material alone is often in the $8-$20 per-ton range while delivered prices can run about $15-$40 per ton depending on distance, load size, and site access. Hello Gravel provides transparent quotes for your zip code, minimum orders start at 3 tons and delivery fees depend on the truck type and any difficult access.

Raising 1,000 sq ft by 6 inches equals about 18.5 cubic yards, which is roughly 20-25 tons of fill-dirt depending on how dense the soil is. Because of compaction and settlement, plan to order about 10-20% extra, so most homeowners should order about 25-30 tons.

Not usually as a final driving surface. West Tennessee clay holds water and can become soft; fill-dirt is fine for raising grade or filling low spots, but a proper driveway should have a compacted granular base like crushed stone or crusher run on top of that base for drainage and load-bearing.

Hello Gravel connects you with local suppliers and contracted haulers serving the Paris area so you can get commercial-grade fill-dirt delivered. Use our site to check availability for your zip code, request a quote, and schedule a delivery; most suppliers offer truck hauling and tri-axle deliveries but minimum orders and delivery terms vary.

Fill-dirt can help by raising grade to redirect surface water away from structures, but plain fill-dirt does not improve infiltration and can make drainage worse if it holds clay. For persistent standing water, consider engineered solutions like granular backfill, French drains, or regrading with a drainage plan designed for West Tennessee soils.

Fill-dirt will compact, but performance depends on the soil makeup and placement method; native clay in West Tennessee can be variable. For building pads or foundations, place fill in thin lifts (typically 6-8 inches), mechanically compact each lift, and follow a compaction spec recommended by an engineer—consult a geotechnical or structural engineer for any load-bearing work.

Crusher run is usually the better choice for driveways because it compacts well, sheds water, and holds up to vehicle traffic, giving better longevity. Fill-dirt can be less expensive for bulk raising of grade, but using it as the driveway surface will require frequent maintenance and will not last as long as a crushed-stone base and topcoat.

If used as a surface, fill-dirt will generally need ongoing maintenance and may only perform well for 1-3 years before rutting and erosion, depending on traffic and weather. To reduce upkeep, cap the fill with a compacted stone base and add a wearing layer like crusher run or gravel, and regrade or add material as needed after heavy rains or freeze-thaw cycles.

Often no special permit is required for a private property delivery, but you should check Paris city or Henry County rules and any HOA restrictions before delivery. Keep in mind delivery trucks are typically tri-axle and need clear access, room to turn, and no low-hanging wires; if the truck must block a public street or right-of-way, local permits or traffic control may be required.

For slabs, remove organic topsoil, then place suitable fill in engineered lifts (commonly 6-8 inches) and compact each lift to the percent specified by a geotechnical report—many projects target around 95% of standard Proctor. Also plan for a 4-6 inch compacted granular base (crushed stone) directly under the slab for drainage; for any structural slab or poor soils, get a site-specific recommendation from an engineer.