Uncompacted (loose-dumped) fill dirt settles roughly 20-25% over the first 6-12 months, with most movement in the first 90 days and after the first heavy rains. Machine-compacted fill placed in 6-8 inch lifts and compacted to 95% Proctor cuts that to minimal residual settlement — typically less than 3%. To finish at your target grade, order about 25% more than your raw volume calculation for loose fill, or 5-10% more for compacted lifts (the extra covers low spots and finishing). For anything load-bearing, compact in lifts and wait at least 30 days before pouring concrete or laying pavers.

It depends on volume and location. Most Florida counties allow minor residential grading without a permit, but larger fills or any work in a flood zone, near wetlands, or that changes drainage onto a neighbor's property requires a county or municipal permit. Check with your county building or environmental department before ordering large quantities.

A standard full dump truck load is 18 cubic yards (or about 20 tons) of fill dirt per load, enough to cover roughly 1,800 sq ft at 3 inches depth. Knowing this helps you think in terms of loads rather than guess yardage. If you need 50 cubic yards, that's approximately 3 loads.

Fill dirt is natural subsoil, a mix of sand, silt, and clay, used for general grading, backfill, and elevation work. Fill sand is clean sand used where drainage matters: under slabs, around pool shells, and as pipe bedding. Clean fill means free of organic matter, trash, and contaminants, our fill dirt qualifies and is what most counties accept for residential grading. Structural fill is a stricter engineered spec requiring tested gradation and compaction, required under load-bearing slabs and foundations. The four are not interchangeable; using fill dirt where the spec calls for structural fill will fail inspection.

Yes, fill dirt is the standard fix for low spots, soggy patches, and poor pitch that causes pooling after rain. Strip any sod or organic layer first, place fill dirt and compact in 4-6 inch lifts to your target grade with positive slope away from the house, then cap with 4-6 inches of topsoil before seeding or sodding. For chronic drainage issues, a French drain may be needed alongside the regrading.

Fill dirt can be used as bulk fill under a pad if it is clean (no organics), placed in 6-8 inch lifts, and compacted to a documented density. The top layer under a slab or footing usually needs to be a select fill or approved base course such as crushed concrete fines or #57 stone. Fill dirt dumped and rough-graded without compaction is not adequate sub-base, slabs placed on uncompacted fill crack and settle. For permitted or load-bearing work, confirm the spec with your engineer or building department before you order.

We don't recommend it. Burying tree roots or stumps under fill dirt traps decaying organic matter that creates unstable spots over time as the wood rots. Grind or remove stumps first, then place fill dirt in 6-8 inch compacted lifts.

Light rain is fine. Fill dirt doesn't wash away the way sand or stone screenings can. Heavy rain immediately after delivery can make the pile sticky and harder to spread until it dries out, usually within a day or two in Florida sun. If a tropical storm or hurricane is in the forecast, call us to reschedule and we'll move your delivery at no charge.

No. Our standard fill dirt is sold as bulk unclassified fill and does not come with a Proctor curve, gradation report, or geotechnical documentation. Fill dirt, even from a certified borrow pit, has natural variance from layer to layer, which is why pits generally don't provide Proctor curves. Even from the same source, a Proctor becomes inaccurate as the material changes with depth. For projects that require testing, the standard process is to order a single load first, test it on site, and then proceed with importing the remaining material once results are confirmed. Compaction testing is typically reserved for large material imports. For smaller residential quantities, it is generally not required.

Fill dirt is a natural blend of sand, silt, and clay taken from below the topsoil layer, with very low organic matter. Because it has no roots, leaves, or decaying material, it stays stable when compacted and won't break down or sink the way organic soils do. It's the most affordable bulk earthwork material, used to build up low areas, level land, and create stable subgrade beneath patios, sheds, and pads. It is not planting soil, and grass will not grow well directly in it.

Fill dirt is used anywhere you need to add volume to the ground and have it stay put. Common uses include site leveling and grading, building foundation pads, backfilling behind retaining walls, filling trenches after utility work, and shaping landscape contours. Because it compacts to a firm, stable base with very little organic matter, it won't decompose and settle later. If you want grass or plants to thrive on top, cap the fill dirt with a few inches of topsoil after compacting.

Yes. We deliver bulk fill dirt across Florida, including Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, Lakeland, Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, and Miami, plus surrounding areas. Enter your ZIP on the Fill Dirt product page for an all-in delivered price with no hidden fees. Someone must be available on site to receive the delivery.

For a 20x20 area (400 sq ft) at 6 inches deep, you'll need roughly 7.5 cubic yards of fill dirt. The math: 400 sq ft x 0.5 ft = 200 cubic feet divided by 27 = 7.4 cubic yards. Add 10-15% for compaction and settlement, so order around 8-9 cubic yards to finish at grade. For any project size, use our materials calculator on this page for an instant estimate.