There are a number of smart ways to find free fill dirt near you. First-time buyers often overlook this fact, which is why we created this guide.
Below, we show you where to look for free fill dirt, how to negotiate on delivery, and how to avoid contaminated and potentially dangerous soils.
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But First: What’s the Difference Between Free Fill Dirt and Purchased Fill Dirt?
Before we go any further it’s important to explain the differences between free and purchased fill. The three things to consider are soil type, quality, and purpose.
Soil type refers to the makeup of the dirt. Normally, suppliers do not screen free dirt to eliminate large rocks, stones, and other debris. In contrast, sold dirt allows buyers to purchase soil with the desired levels of clay, sand, gravel, and rock, among other compounds.
Dirt Quality has more to do with cleanliness. Free fill dirt may lack confirmation of being “clean,” exposing potential hazards. Purchased fill dirt is usually tested and certified safe for people, animals, and plants.
The final consideration is how the fill dirt will be used. Free fill dirt is great for simple jobs with few quality requirements, like filling large areas of land. In this case, a mix of clay, sand, and stone would be perfectly fine. When leveling land for a new building, opt for purchased fill dirt to guarantee essential materials and exclude undesired ones.
Don’t let this discourage you; with a little effort and patience, you can you can find free fill dirt that is screened, clean, and safe for a variety of projects.
Where to Get Free Fill Dirt
You can find free fill dirt all over town! Case in point: Have you ever seen signs for “free stuff” or “free dirt” on the side of the road?
Companies erect these to offload excess building materials—concrete, lumber, dirt—without incurring dumping fees.
You probably don’t want to drive around town looking for signs, so we’ve compiled a list of the best places to find free fill dirt.
Free Fill Dirt from DirtMatch
DirtMatch, which has been around for a number of years, has recently grown to be the largest marketplace for dirt in the US. It’s a great source for finding FREE fill dirt. Both homeowners and dirt professionals such construction companies, excavators, pool builders and dirt haulers all use DirtMatch for their dirt related projects. They even have a network of professional soil and dirt suppliers if you have very specific dirt needs (though it may not always be free!). The site is free to try and there is over 1,000,000 yards of dirt available across the US. Here’s how DirtMatch works.
DirtMatch is also a good place to get rid of dirt when you need dirt disposal and need to get it rid of it for free or cheap.
Free Soil from Craigslist
Craigslist is a good place to begin your search because it’s a place construction and hauling companies go to get rid of unwanted dirt. For example, enter “fill dirt” in the search bar on the Craigslist Los Angeles page and you’ll find posts offering clean fill, screened fill, topsoil, and free delivery. As always though, we remind you to use caution when using Craigslist. While there are good dirt providers on the site, beware of the many scammers and even more time wasters.
We sourced clean, tested dirt from a residential area. But don’t take their word for it; we recommend that you have the dirt tested to be sure it’s free of contaminants and has the proper composition for your project. You can always add to the soil if you need a specific ratio of clay to sand and stone.
Free Soil from Construction Companies
If suitable fill dirt isn’t available on local Craigslist, approach construction companies directly. Contact residential, commercial builders, and general contractors. Often, commercial builders have excess dirt or upcoming excavation projects. If no one shares, inquire about contractors working on subdivisions or roadwork, which typically involve land clearing.
Companies willing to give you free fill dirt might ask that you cover delivery costs. Try to negotiate on this, especially if you’re accepting large loads of dirt. They will have to pay to dump the dirt, so if you can take it off their hands then they should be willing to cover the low cost of delivery. It’s less beneficial to ask for a small quantity of dirt, so if this is the case then see if you can arrange your own delivery to eliminate that cost.
Excavation Companies
Land clearing produces tons of excess fill dirt, along with crushed concrete, stone, and metal. It costs money to discard this waste, so companies often make it available for free. That’s why we suggest calling local excavation companies to see what they have available. Just keep in mind that some clean and recycle these materials to be resold for a profit, and that you shouldn’t take dirt from unclean projects like home demolition and ditch digging.
Swimming Pool Builders
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that swimming pool builders do a lot of digging, and they don’t leave the dirt for homeowners to dispose of. That’s what makes them a great resource for smaller projects, like filling in areas of your yard or building a garden. Take a measurement of how many cubic yards of dirt you need and call around to local pool companies. You will be surprised by how many are willing to help!
Local Government Fill Dirt Programs
Some cities and counties make fill dirt available for free. For example, the Maricopa County in Arizona opened two sites where anyone can excavate and haul fill dirt for free. There are a few important rules, including a 5,000 cubic yard minimum and the do-it-yourself system, so this is better for builders with access to professional equipment.
Only need a little bit of fill for your project? We recommend that you still try speaking with your local city or county. Some, like Los Angeles County Public Works, have free dirt postings online for small and large loads.
How to Avoid the Dangers of Free Fill Dirt
You need to be careful when accepting free fill dirt because it can be low quality, contain junk, or be contaminated with harmful substances. We repeat this again and again because it’s so important to know what dirt you’re getting. With this in mind, let’s go over the ways of protecting yourself from bad fill dirt.
Ask Questions
You’re going to find free fill dirt offered by people you’ve never met and companies you’ve never heard of. It’s easier to get rid of clean and screened fill than common fill, so ads for quality fill may be misleading or downright lies. Ask the following questions to learn more about the fill and find out if you’re dealing with a suspect person:
- Who is offering the fill?
- Where did the fill come from?
- What type of fill is this?
- Has the dirt been screened? Does it contain large rock, roots, or trash?
- What are safe uses for this dirt?
- Has the dirt been tested? Is it certified clean? Who tested it? Can you see the paperwork?
- Do you offer any guarantees on the dirt?
This line of questioning might scare away some, but that’s a good thing. Any honest person offering quality fill should be happy to discuss where it came from, how they got it, and what it can be used for.
Ask to See the Free Fill Dirt Source
We suggest approaching the direct source of fill dirt for a clearer understanding of the offering. For instance, if the dirt is excavated from a highway with debris, it may not be suitable for backfilling yards.
Hire a Soil Engineer to Test the Free Fill Dirt
Don’t even think about using free fill dirt beneath a new home or building without first having it tested by a soil engineer. Saving money on fill isn’t worth risking an unstable foundation or exposing your family and pets to hazardous materials.
According to Clemson University Regulatory Services, soil testing can be inexpensive. A standard soil test only costs $6. More thorough tests are available for the same ballpark price, including tests for organic matter, pH, nitrate nitrogen, and more. It might seem like overkill to run comprehensive tests on free dirt, but it’s necessary for projects where cutting corners could have major consequences.
Play It Safe: Buy Fill Dirt
It’s normal to assume that dirt is dirt and you don’t need to worry about the potential risks involved in using free fill. You understand it’s not that straightforward; there are risks in using free fill dirt from those unloading it on others.That’s why you should also consider buying fill dirt. If you do your homework, however – you can save a TON!
You can quickly check average prices in your area using HomeAdvisor’s guide to fill dirt costs. Standard fill dirt only costs $5 – $25 per cubic yard, making it affordable for small and medium projects. If you’re at all nervous about using free fill dirt then play it safe and find fill dirt for sale.