Bulk materials
Fill Dirt
Clean fill for low spots, rough grading and raising grade where plant growth is not the goal.
What it is
Fill dirt builds volume and adjusts grade. Use it to fill depressions, shape yards, prepare construction areas and build a stable base under a top layer. Where grass or plants will grow, finish with topsoil or amended soil.
Common uses
- Filling low areas and holes
- Rough grading and raising grade
- Building up pads and construction areas
- A base layer beneath topsoil
In plain English
Fill Dirt, explained without the jargon
Written for anyone who has never ordered bulk material before. If your project sounds different to what you read here, tell us about it and we will talk it through.
What it looks like
Tan to brown soil, coarser and sandier than topsoil, sometimes with small stones or lumps. It is not screened for planting.
How big the pieces are
Loose soil. The texture varies from load to load because it comes out of the ground rather than through a recipe.
What it is like to walk or drive on
Firm once it is spread and compacted in layers; loose and uneven where it has just been dumped.
What it is normally used for here
Raising low ground, filling holes left by trees, pools or old structures, and building up an area before topsoil or sod goes on.
How it handles water
Depends on what is in it. Think of fill dirt as the material that sets the shape and grade, with drainage coming from how that grade is built.
When not to use it
Not a planting soil, and not a finished surface. If something needs to grow there, topsoil goes on top.
What it gets confused with
Topsoil. Fill dirt is for volume, topsoil is for growing; they are not interchangeable and cost different amounts for good reason.
How it changes over time
Settles noticeably, especially through the first rainy season. Building it up in layers rather than one deep drop reduces how much it sinks later.
Sizes are approximate. Crushed stone and shell are screened rather than cut to size, so every load holds a range of pieces and some dust.
Planning your order
How much fill dirt do you need?
Grade should move water away from structures without sending it onto a neighbor’s property. Measure the area and depth, allow for compaction, and check whether larger grading needs a permit or professional grading.
As a general rule, one cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. Coverage changes with depth and material, so use the calculator for your numbers and we will confirm before delivery.
Before you order: a quick checklist
- Measure the length, width and planned depth. The calculator turns them into cubic yards.
- Consider depth. It changes the quantity more than most people expect. We can advise on depth for the job.
- Pick the drop spot: a firm, reachable place close to where you will use the material.
- Check access: gates, soft ground, low wires or branches and tight turns. Delivery checklist.
- Check community rules on bulk deliveries and materials if you have an HOA.
- Deliveries have a 3 cubic yard minimum, and the delivery fee is set by ZIP code.
Delivery
Delivered to your driveway or job site.
We deliver to accessible driveways and job sites across Fort Myers and Southwest Florida. Let us know about gates, soft ground, low wires or HOA rules when you request a quote.
- 3 cubic yard minimumDelivered by the yard to your driveway or job site.
- Typically 3–5 daysNext-day is often available, depending on material and routing.
- Fee set by ZIP codeQuoted up front, before your order is confirmed.
- Fort Myers basedDelivering across Lee County and Southwest Florida.
Guides
Before you order
Related materials
You may also need
Need Fill Dirt delivered?
Send the address, measurements and how you will use it. We will confirm the yardage, price and delivery fee.