Getting dirt for your landscaping, construction or remodeling project can be more complex than some people expect. There’s a lot that goes into purchasing fill dirt, including determining how much you need and knowing the number of yards of dirt in a truckload that can be transported at a time. You also have to make sure that you are getting quality, trustworthy fill dirt because if it contains other materials such as sand or topsoil, that could cause problems for your project down the road. Reach out to your local fill dirt contractor to learn more about their dirt and how they can help with your project.
What Is Fill Dirt?
Fill dirt is taken from the ground below the top nutrient-rich topsoil layer. This is important because it does not contain organic matter, which means that over time the dirt won’t shift due to the breakdown of this organic matter. Topsoil will have this problem as it does contain organic matter which decomposes over time. Fill dirt is easy to get and there’s an abundance of it, which is great news for you because it means that it is cheap.
What Is Fill Dirt Primarily Used For?
Fill dirt acts as the basic foundation for construction, remodeling and development projects. It can also be used to fill in a depression or hole in the ground, create mounds, or otherwise artificially change the grade or elevation of the property. For landscaping projects, fill dirt can be used to create pools, waterfalls, and other features to break up a landscape. As previously mentioned fill dirt contains no organic matter which makes it great for construction projects, but not all useful for other projects such as gardening.
How To Find A Yard Of Dirt
A yard of dirt sounds like a weird term, but it actually refers to the amount of dirt required to fill up the volume of a 1-yard cube. Typically a 1 cubic yard of dirt is equal to 2,000 lbs or 1 ton of dirt. To figure out how much dirt you need for your space, you need to be working in cubic yards. Cubic yards is the measurement dirt contractors use to determine the quantity of fill dirt, the price, and how many truckloads will be required to transport all your dirt.
How Much Fill Dirt Do You Need?
If you need fill dirt for your project, you have toa calculate how much fill dirt you need. This is done by figuring out the volume of the space you need to be filled. Volume is measured in cubic yards. It is extremely important to get this measurement right, as no one wants to wind up with an excess amount of dirt they have no idea what to do with. On the other hand, you don’t want to find yourself in the situation of not having enough dirt to complete your project. That can significantly delay the timeline of your project as you have to get more fill dirt.
Figuring out how much dirt you need can be a tricky process as it requires some math to determine the volume of your project. You have to be aware that the shape of your project plays a huge role in how you figure out the volume. Calculating a rectangular space versus a circular space is going to require taking different measurements and using different equations.
For a rectangular project, you have to measure the length, width, and height of the space and use that to calculate the volume. For a circular project, you need to calculate the depth and the radius. You can do the math on your own, or use one of the many cubic calculators online to assist you. Knowing how much dirt you need is important when talking with a fill dirt contractor.
Not only do you have to consider how much dirt you need, but you also need to consider if your project meets the required amount of dirt from the fill dirt contractor. Many fill dirt contractors have a minimum requirement of dirt you have to get. Keep this in mind as you figure out the logistics of your project.
How Many Yards Of Dirt Are Typically Found In A Truckload?
Dump trucks are used to transport loose materials such as dirt, sand or gravel. A typical dump truck has an open-box bed, which is hinged at the rear and attached to a hydraulic ram in the front. This allows for the bed to raise up and dump the loose materials on the ground behind it. For your project you need to know a little more than just how they work, you need to familiarize yourself with the amount of yards of dirt in a truckload.
Dump trucks are measured by how many cubic yards they can hold. A standard dump truck would most likely be used for your project, and they can typically carry 10 to 12 cubic yards of dirt in a truckload. How much dirt you need will determine how many trucks your project requires, given that the number of yards of dirt in a truckload will almost always be the same. So if you need 32 cubic yards of dirt, you’re probably going to need three truckloads. This will come into consideration when dealing with a dirt contractor as you all discuss the circumstances of your delivery.
Speak With Dirt Connections For More Information
Many fill dirt contractors have a minimum amount of dirt that you are required to purchase. Often times, this requirement is one truckload. That means that you need to purchase 10 to 12 cubic yards of fill dirt if you plan to go through a fill dirt contractor. Going through a fill dirt contractor is extremely beneficial if you need a large quantity of dirt, if you need excess dirt removed, and they often provide inspections before the fill dirt is ever delivered to make sure no problems arise. There are a lot of factors that go into purchasing dirt, so be sure to reach out to the fill dirt contracts at Dirt Connections for more information. Additionally, you can use the Dirt Connections Portal using the button below to see the materials available to you.
