Fill-dirt in Old Tacoma, WA

Delivered fill-dirt prices vary by supplier, truck distance, and the amount you need, but in the Seattle-Tacoma area a typical range is about $15 to $40 per ton delivered. Hello Gravel has a 3-ton minimum and often shows transparent local pricing in checkout; get a quote to see exact costs for your address. Additional fees can apply for next-day delivery, difficult access, or permit requirements.

Hello Gravel requires a minimum order of 3 tons, but many local suppliers and dump trucks carry full loads of 10 to 12 cubic yards (tri-axle), so minimums can be larger for direct supplier orders. Use Hello Gravel to compare local suppliers and delivery options; if you only need a small amount, ask about partial loads or ask for a smaller truck in the checkout notes. Expect regional variation because trucks and pits are sourced locally.

Use this formula: area in square feet times depth in feet, divided by 27 gives cubic yards (sq ft * ft / 27). For example, a 1,000 sq ft yard raised 6 inches (0.5 ft) needs 1,000 * 0.5 / 27 = 18.5 cubic yards, which is roughly 22 tons assuming compacted fill-dirt at about 1.2 tons per cubic yard. Because local soils and compaction vary, order 5-10% extra to allow for settling and grading.

Plain fill-dirt tends to be finer and holds water, so it is not a good choice where drainage is needed in the wet Seattle-Tacoma climate. For drainage applications use clean, well-graded aggregate like crushed rock, road base, or a coarse drainage layer under the fill, and include drainage pipes or swales as needed. If you must use fill-dirt for grading, pair it with proper slope design, drainage features, and erosion control to avoid saturation and runoff problems.

Permitting depends on the scope and location of your work; small backyard top-ups often do not need a permit, but significant grading, importing large volumes, or work that affects drainage, critical areas, or the shoreline can require permits from the City of Tacoma or Pierce County. Check with the City of Tacoma Building and Land Use Services or Pierce County Planning before you order, especially for projects near creeks, steep slopes, or the Puget Sound. When in doubt, call local permitting staff to confirm rules and avoid delays.

For a driveway base, use a well-graded granular material such as crushed rock, road base, or crusher-run that compacts well and sheds water; plain fill-dirt is not a good structural base. For general backfill and grading, fill-dirt works fine as a cost-effective option but should be placed in lifts and compacted. In Old Tacoma's wet climate, prioritize materials with good drainage for load-bearing or surface layers and reserve fill-dirt for subgrade or non-structural fill.

Place fill in thin lifts (typically 4 to 8 inches loose) and compact each lift; small slopes and tight areas can be compacted with a plate compactor or walk-behind tamper, while larger areas are best served by a vibratory roller. Use geotextile fabric on steep slopes, benching where appropriate, and erosion control like straw or hydroseed to keep the fill in place. For critical slopes or fills deeper than a couple of feet, consult a geotechnical or civil engineer before proceeding.

Avoid placing silty or loose fill-dirt where it can wash into storm drains, creeks, or Puget Sound; use silt fences, erosion control blankets, and sequencing to minimize exposed soil during rainy periods. You may need to follow local stormwater rules and best management practices for construction and grading projects, so check with the City of Tacoma for site-specific requirements. If your project is near shoreline or wetlands, additional permits and mitigation measures are likely required.

Fill-dirt is fine-grained and compacts, but it holds water and is not suitable as a finished driving or walking surface; crusher fines or well-graded road base are better choices for driveway bases and patios because they provide drainage, load-bearing capacity, and a stable surface. Use a layered approach: subgrade (fill-dirt or native soil as needed), structural base (road base or crushed rock), and a surface layer (crushed rock, pavers, or asphalt) for best long-term performance in the Seattle-Tacoma climate. This combination reduces potholes, rutting, and washouts common with plain fill-dirt surfaces.

Fill-dirt used as subgrade or for grading will last indefinitely if properly placed and compacted, but it will settle over time and often needs topping up or regrading after heavy rain seasons. If fill-dirt is used as a surface layer (driveway or path), expect poor performance with rutting and erosion within 1 to 3 years unless stabilized with gravel or paving; properly built gravel driveways using road base and a crushed-rock surface can last 10 to 20 years with periodic maintenance. Plan for seasonal inspections, minor top-ups, and maintaining drainage to prolong performance.