Fill Dirt in The Memorial Villages, TX

Delivered fill-dirt prices in the Memorial Villages vary with supplier, moisture content, and truck access, but expect a typical delivered range of about $10 to $25 per ton (roughly $12 to $35 per cubic yard). Hello Gravel has a minimum order of 3 tons and offers standard delivery in 2+ business days; exact quotes depend on your zip code, driveway access, and whether screening or special handling is required.

For bulk raising and yard grading, screened or structural fill-dirt works well as the inexpensive bulk material, but native fill-dirt (clayey) can hold moisture and shrink or swell. For driveways and base layers you should use crusher run or 3/4" crushed stone rather than plain fill-dirt, because those materials shed water and lock together for long-term stability; consider a layered approach (geotextile, compacted crushed stone, then surface material).

Use this rule of thumb: 1,000 square feet raised 1 inch = about 3.09 cubic yards (roughly 4.0 tons at ~1.3 tons/yd3). For the same 1,000 sq ft: 6 inches = about 18.5 cubic yards (≈24.1 tons), and 1 foot = about 37.0 cubic yards (≈48.2 tons). Multiply those numbers by your lot size (for example, multiply by 7 for a 7,000 sq ft yard) and remember actual tons/yd3 can vary with moisture and compaction.

Permits and HOA rules vary by village (e.g., Bunker Hill, Hunters Creek, Piney Point) and by scope of work; small grading for landscaping might not require a permit, but regrading, raising lot elevation, or structural backfill often does. For foundation backfill or engineered fills, the local municipality or county may require specified compaction and testing (percent of Standard Proctor) and inspected lifts, so check with your village building department and your HOA before starting.

Because fill-dirt often contains fines and clay, it tends to retain water in the humid subtropical climate of the Houston area and can worsen drainage if used alone. For areas exposed to runoff or standing water, use free-draining granular fill or mix with crusher run, install swales/French drains, and place geotextile fabric where soils could wash through aggregate. For large fills or flood-prone sites, consult an engineer; geotextile, proper slopes, and subsurface drains are commonly recommended.

Hello Gravel's standard delivery timeframe is 2+ business days, with a next-day option for orders placed before noon CST for an extra fee; local suppliers may require 3-7 days for screening or large loads. Most deliveries use tri-axle dump trucks that carry roughly 10 to 16 tons of fill-dirt per load, and our minimum online order is 3 tons. Provide clear drop location and driveway access notes at checkout since tight access or narrow streets in the Memorial Villages can affect delivery options and cost.

No. Fill-dirt is typically heavier in fines and may include clay, which makes it inexpensive for bulk raising but poor for drainage and long-term structural support. Clean fill or fill sand and engineered aggregate bases (crusher run, compacted stone) drain better and provide more stable support for foundations and driveways, making them more expensive upfront but more durable and lower-maintenance over time.

Contractors in the Memorial Villages typically compact fill in 4 to 8 inch loose lifts with plate compactors or jumping jacks for small areas and vibratory sheepsfoot or drum rollers for larger fills. Required compaction levels (for example, 90-95% of Standard Proctor) depend on project specs; small hand-tool compaction jobs can run a few hundred dollars, while machine compaction with a roller for larger areas often costs several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on area and accessibility. Ask for written compaction specs from your contractor and confirm whether testing is included.

Measure the area and calculate volume (or use Hello Gravel's material calculator) and always add 5-10% for compaction and settlement. Note any HOA rules, mark underground utilities, specify delivery access in Order Notes, and request tailgate spreading at checkout if you want the driver to consider it; remember tailgate spreading is at the driver's discretion and not guaranteed.