Fill Dirt in Des Plaines, IL

Fill-dirt is excavated mineral soil used to raise or level ground; it usually has more fines and less organic material than topsoil. Unlike topsoil, it is not intended for plant growth, and unlike crushed stone it is not a granular, well-draining structural base. In Des Plaines projects, fill-dirt is best for non-structural grading, rough raising of yard grades, and backfill where drainage and compaction are managed.

Local delivered prices vary with source, haul distance, and truck size, but expect a rough range of about $15 to $35 per ton (roughly $11 to $26 per cubic yard) delivered. Final price depends on local availability, whether material contains rocks or clay, and delivery logistics, so get a written Hello Gravel quote for your zip code. Remember Hello Gravel minimum orders start at 3 tons and many suppliers have higher truck or cubic yard minimums.

Hello Gravel matches you with vetted local suppliers and haulers that serve Des Plaines and surrounding West Illinois areas; enter your zip code to see available options and supplier details at checkout. Typical sources include landscape supply yards, excavation contractors, and municipal or utility salvaged fill; if you need a contractor for spreading or compaction, we can help connect you. For large or specialized jobs, ask for supplier references and material samples before ordering.

Hello Gravel's platform minimum is 3 tons, but many local suppliers prefer full truckloads (5 to 12 cubic yards) depending on truck type. Standard delivery lead time is 2+ business days, with a next-day option for orders placed before noon CST for an extra fee. Delivery fees depend on distance, site access, and truck type; tailgate spreading can sometimes be requested but is performed at the driver's discretion.

Fill-dirt can be used for rough grading and non-structural backfill, but it is not the best choice for driveway base or structural foundation support in a freeze-thaw climate like Des Plaines. For driveways and frost-prone zones, use a well-graded granular base (crushed stone or gravel) and reserve fill-dirt for areas where drainage and compaction are controlled. When fill-dirt is used near foundations, follow engineer or code recommendations for drainage, compaction, and material testing to avoid settlement and frost heave.

For general fill-dirt ask for clean mineral soil with low organic content (typically under 5%) and free of construction debris and large roots. For structural or frost-sensitive areas, specify a well-graded granular mix (sand/gravel or crushed stone) rather than standard fill-dirt; it should have good drainage and limited clay fines. If uncertain, request a material spec or lab sieve analysis and consider a short site test or engineer recommendation before ordering large volumes.

Des Plaines soils often include glacial tills, pockets of silty clay, and areas with shallow groundwater near streams, so local conditions can make standard fill-dirt prone to settlement or poor drainage. If your site has clay, poor drainage, or a high water table, a granular base or engineered structural fill is usually a better choice. We recommend a quick site assessment or soil test for projects affecting foundations, driveways, or elevations near the Des Plaines River corridor.

Proper compaction is critical: place fill-dirt in 6- to 8-inch lifts and compact each lift to a specified density (commonly 90-95% of standard Proctor for structural fills). Expect some initial settlement—often a small percentage of the fill height—so allow extra fill or plan for final grading after settlement. For driveways or structural backfill, hire equipment for mechanical compaction and request a compaction report when required by building inspectors.

Rates vary by crew size and equipment, but machine spreading and compaction in the Des Plaines area commonly runs roughly $50 to $120 per hour for an operator with machinery. Some contractors price by volume for smaller jobs, often in the range of $3 to $12 per cubic yard depending on site access, slope, and cleanup. Ask for written estimates that list mobilization, spreading, compaction, and disposal fees so you can compare bids accurately.

Large fills or changes to grade may require permits or a grading plan from the City of Des Plaines Building or Public Works departments, so check with city staff before ordering big volumes. Local rules can also restrict truck routes, weight limits on residential streets, delivery hours, or require restoration of right-of-way after heavy hauling. If you belong to an HOA, verify their rules as well; Hello Gravel recommends contacting city departments and your neighbors before scheduling large deliveries.

Late spring through early fall is generally best for ordering and installing fill-dirt in Des Plaines because ground is not frozen and access is easier. Winter deliveries are possible but can be more difficult and may not allow proper spreading or compaction if the ground is frozen or snow-covered. Avoid the wettest spring weeks if possible, since muddy sites slow equipment and increase risk of rutting and poor compaction.

Control sediment runoff with silt fences, straw wattles, or gravel tracking pads at driveway entrances, and stabilize finished grades quickly with seed, mulch, or erosion-control matting. Large fills near waterways may trigger Cook County or Des Plaines stormwater rules, so check local stormwater and erosion-control requirements before starting work. Proper grading to direct water away from foundations and quick vegetation or cover will reduce erosion and help meet local regulations.

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.