Fill Dirt in Tuscaloosa, AL

Fill-dirt is subsoil with few organics, used to raise grade, fill low spots, or build up landscape contours. In Tuscaloosa it is commonly used for lot grading and filling because local clay-rich soils compact well, but it is not a structural material for driveways or footings. Use screened fill-dirt for finish grading near lawns, and unscreened for bulk fills away from finished surfaces.

Calculate cubic yards by multiplying area (sq ft) by depth (in) and dividing by 324 (cubic yards = area * depth / 324). Convert to tons by multiplying cubic yards by the local soil weight, typically about 1.3 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard for damp compacted fill-dirt, and then add 10% to 15% for compaction and waste. Example: 500 sq ft raised 3 inches = 500*3/324 = 4.63 cu yd, roughly 6 to 7.5 tons before extra allowance.

Fill-dirt is not ideal as a finished structural sub-base for driveways because it contains fines and may shift under vehicle loads, especially with Tuscaloosa's wet periods and clay soils. For driveways and any load-bearing areas, contractors typically use crushed stone or engineered aggregate as the compacted base and reserve fill-dirt only for raising grade away from the surface. Consult an engineer for load-bearing or permit-related projects.

Yes. Tuscaloosa's humid subtropical climate and clay-rich soils mean water can drain slowly and promote settling. Plan positive slope, adequate drainage, and proper compaction to reduce future settling and erosion. Freeze-thaw cycles are minimal here, but heavy rain events make drainage the primary concern.

Screened fill-dirt is cleaner and better for final grading, lawns, and areas where you will seed or lay sod because it has fewer rocks and debris. Unscreened fill-dirt is usually cheaper and acceptable for bulk fills and behind retaining walls where the visible finish does not matter. Local landscapers in Tuscaloosa often recommend screened fill for near-house grading and unscreened for rough fill.

Delivered prices vary by supplier, haul distance, moisture content, and seasonal demand, so we show exact pricing after you enter your zip code on Hello Gravel. Because local rates fluctuate, the fastest way to get an accurate delivered price is to request an online quote or call our sales team at 855-241-8884. Remember our minimum order is 3 tons and delivery fees or free delivery options depend on your location.

Hello Gravel partners with local suppliers and haulers that serve Tuscaloosa; specific suppliers and fees are shown when you request a quote for your zip code. Typical minimum orders start at our 3-ton policy, and delivery fees depend on distance and truck type—sometimes delivery is free in nearby areas. If you need supplier names, request a quote and we will connect you with available local providers and delivery details.

Small lawn or garden fills can often be compacted with a plate compactor or walk-behind tamper; larger jobs require a vibratory roller or a rented excavator and professional compaction testing if under structures. Equipment rental for a plate compactor in the region is commonly a few hundred dollars per day; contractor rates vary, so get local bids. Budget for compaction as a separate line item—proper compaction reduces settling and future maintenance costs.

Permit and inspection requirements depend on the project: septic systems are regulated by county health authorities and typically require engineered designs and permits, and foundation backfill for structural work may be subject to building department rules. Contact Tuscaloosa Building Inspections and the county health department before major structural or septic work. When in doubt, consult a licensed engineer or your contractor to confirm permit needs.

Fill-dirt is less expensive and fine-grained, so it is good for raising grade and non-structural fills, but it does not perform as well under load or as a drainage layer. Crushed stone or engineered aggregate is recommended for driveways, footings, and where drainage and load-bearing capacity matter because those materials drain better and compact into stable bases. Choose fill-dirt for bulk grading and crushed stone for structural bases.

All fill-dirt installations settle over time; expect some settling in the first year and plan to top-dress or regrade low spots after initial compaction and seasonal rains. With correct compaction, drainage, and vegetation (sod or seed), a fill-dirt grade should be stable for many years for lawns and landscaping; it is not recommended as a permanent structural base for driveways. Regular checks after heavy rains and simple regrading or minor refills every few years keep surfaces functioning.

As of today, we require 2 business days for delivery.

Use our material calculator here: https://hellogravel.com/calculator/ to enter the length, width and depth measurements of your project. It will automatically calculate the cubic yards/tons needed. If you are unsure how much to order, contact our team for guidance.

Please type in your zip code on any product screen and it will let you know if we service your area. The chances are that we do!

The material will be delivered via dump truck. If your order is under 20 tons, then it will likely be just one dump truck load. If your order is more than 20 tons, it will be more than one dump truck load.

Absolutely! Try our aggregate quiz here: https://hellogravel.com/aggregate-quiz/ Alternatively,you can call us, chat with us (box in the bottom right corner of the website), or email us!

We cannot get out of the truck and manually spread it. However, depending on the location, safety, and comfortability of the driver – we may be able to tailgate spread your material. This involves pulling the truck forward as material is being dumped to make it easier for you to distribute material after delivery.

The minimum order size is 3 tons.

Hassle Free! Our goal is to make the buying process for gravel and other aggregates as easy and seamless as possible. Enter your zip code on our site, select how much material you need (see below FAQ’s to determine order size), select the date and time frame you would like your material delivered at Checkout, and place your order with any major credit card. After the order is placed our in-house support team will contact you to confirm the details. We will send additional confirmations on the day before and the day of delivery. On delivery day, a dump truck will arrive to dump the materials at your specified location. We request that you have someone available to accept the delivery so that we can make sure to dump it in the correct location. That’s it!

No, because we are a national supplier, we utilize our existing network of suppliers across the country. Therefore, the materials will likely be delivered from a contracted trucking company.

We specialize in making the aggregate buying process as easy and seamless as possible by managing the process from end to end. We have a network of suppliers that we source the materials from where we have negotiated rates. However, we do charge a markup and because of this you may be able to find the materials cheaper on your own. But if you want a hassle free experience, then we are for you!

Please fill out the Quote Request form and we will work up a quote for you! https://hellogravel.com/quote-form/

Although uncommon, due to regional sourcing, the type and color of our materials may vary somewhat from the images on our website, reflecting the unique geological offerings of your area. Please communicate any specifications you desire to our team so we can consider them during the sourcing process.

Please contact our customer service team promptly if you experience any delivery or product quality issues. We will work to resolve them satisfactorily.

We are headquartered in New Orleans, LA. However, we have a network of suppliers across the country from which we provide the materials.