Fill Dirt in Washington, WI

Typical delivered prices for fill-dirt in the West Wisconsin area vary with local supply, moisture content, and distance to site; expect a broad range roughly $8 to $30 per ton delivered, though exact quotes come from local suppliers. Hello Gravel requires a 3-ton minimum, standard delivery runs 2+ business days, and next-day delivery is available for orders placed before noon CST for an extra fee.

Fill-dirt is best used as a structural subgrade or to raise grades, not as a final wearing surface. For driveways use compacted fill-dirt in 4-8u0022 lifts as the subgrade then place a granular base (3/4u0022 crushed stone) and a wearing course on top; for yard fill, use screened, low-organic fill-dirt and compact in lifts; for foundation backfill prefer free-draining granular material near footings and save fill-dirt for bulk backfill away from the footing to reduce frost heave risk.

Use this rule: cubic yards = area (sq ft) * (inches/12) / 27. For a 50 x 100 ft lot (5,000 sq ft) one inch of fill is about 15.4 cubic yards (roughly 20 tons assuming 1.3 tons per cubic yard). For a 1/4-acre (10,890 sq ft) one inch of fill is about 33.6 cubic yards (roughly 44 tons at 1.3 tons per cubic yard).

Some local suppliers and haulers can offer same-day or next-business-day delivery within city limits, but this depends on truck availability and supplier schedules. Hello Gravel's platform shows real-time availability by zip code; our minimum order is 3 tons and many deliveries in the region include free delivery, though some areas or rush options may carry a delivery fee—check your quote for details.

Fill-dirt will settle and can be affected by freeze-thaw cycles, especially if it contains fines or organics; expect initial settlement within the first season and plan to monitor and top-up low spots. For driveways and grading, periodic regrading or adding more surface aggregate every 1-3 years is common, and deeper re-compaction may be needed after significant settlement or heavy rain events.

Fill-dirt is designed to raise grade and fill voids but is not usually a durable wearing surface; crushed stone and limestone screenings make better structural bases and surfaces for driveways because they drain and lock together. Topsoil is for planting and should not be used under foundations or driveways; for foundation backfill and drainage use granular materials, reserving fill-dirt for bulk grade work where compaction and settlement are managed.

Yes. Contact the City of Washington and Ozaukee County building or zoning office to check for grading, driveway, or fill permits and local erosion control requirements. For large disturbances (for example more than one acre) also review Wisconsin DNR stormwater rules and include sediment controls like silt fence and stabilized entrances as required by local ordinance.

Small residential jobs typically use a plate compactor for lifts up to 4-6u0022 and a vibrating roller or walk-behind roller for larger areas; a skid steer or excavator is common for spreading. For structural pads or close-to-foundation work hire a contractor who can do lift-by-lift compaction, perform or arrange a soil test if needed, and meet any local permit or inspection requirements.

Clear and level a staging area, mark underground utilities and the desired dump location, and ensure at least a 12-foot wide access for dump trucks. Add delivery notes at checkout (gates, low-hanging wires, or spreading requests); drivers may offer tailgate spreading at their discretion but that service is not guaranteed.