After moving over a million yards of fill dirt, topsoil, and structural fill across DFW and Denver, we have talked hundreds of first-time buyers through the process. The number one thing people tell us afterward: "That was way easier than I expected." Here is the full walkthrough so you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your first delivery.
How the Ordering Process Works
There is no portal to log into, no account to create, no sales pitch. Text us at (469) 523-6420 or email support@filldirtnearme.net. Tell us three things: what material you need, roughly how much, and where it is going. We respond with a quote — usually within minutes during business hours (Mon-Sat, 7 AM to 5 PM). If the quote works, confirm and pick a delivery date. That is the entire process.
Every quote includes material and delivery. There are no fuel surcharges, no gate fees, no hidden line items. The price we text you is the price you pay. In DFW, fill dirt runs $10 per yard, topsoil is $17 per yard, and structural or select fill is $20 per yard. Denver pricing is $15, $22, and $25 per yard respectively. Minimum order is 10 yards.
Choosing the Right Material
This is where most first-timers overthink it. Here is a simple decision tree:
Fill dirt — You need to raise grade, fill a hole, backfill a foundation, or build up low spots in your yard. This is raw earth, not pretty, not meant to grow anything. It packs well, drains poorly (especially DFW's clay-heavy soil), and costs the least. If you are filling and covering it with something else, this is your material.
Topsoil — You want to grow grass, plants, or a garden. Topsoil has organic matter that supports roots. If you are laying sod, building garden beds, or reseeding a lawn, topsoil is the call. In North Texas, the native clay is brutal on new plantings — a few inches of topsoil on top makes a real difference.
Structural fill — An engineer or inspector told you to use it. Structural fill meets compaction specs for building pads, retaining walls, driveways, and anything load-bearing. If nobody mentioned compaction requirements, you probably do not need it.
Still unsure? Text us what the project is and we will tell you which material fits.
How Much to Order
Measure the area in feet: length times width times depth. Divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. A 20-by-30-foot backyard that needs 6 inches of topsoil works out to 300 cubic feet, or about 11 yards. Round up — you will never regret having a little extra, but coming up short means paying for a second delivery.
Our online calculator does the math for you. Plug in your dimensions and it tells you yards needed and total cost.
Keep in mind that fill dirt compacts roughly 10 to 15 percent after it settles. DFW clay compacts on the higher end. If you need a finished depth of 12 inches, order for 13 or 14 inches of material.
Truck Sizes and What Fits Your Property
We run four truck configurations:
Tandem — 10 yards. The smallest and most maneuverable. Fits most residential driveways and suburban streets without issue.
Tri-axle — 16 yards. The workhorse for mid-size residential projects. Needs a standard two-car driveway width or a clear stretch of yard to access.
End dump — 18 yards. Dumps out the back. Good for tight spots where the truck can back in straight.
Side dump — 18 yards. Dumps to the side, useful when the truck cannot back all the way to the drop zone. Requires clearance on one side — no fences, parked cars, or mailboxes within about 10 feet.
Not sure which truck works? Send us a photo of where you want the pile dropped and we will recommend the right one.
What Delivery Day Actually Looks Like
The driver will call or text you with an ETA, typically 15 to 30 minutes out. If you ordered before 10 AM, same-day delivery is often possible. The truck pulls up, backs into position, raises the bed, and drops the entire load in one pile. Start to finish, the driver is on your property for 5 to 10 minutes. There is no spreading, no grading — just the dump.
You do not need to be home, but you do need to tell us exactly where to put the pile. "Left side of the driveway" or "back corner by the fence" works. A dropped pin on a photo is even better.
The Pile Is Bigger Than You Think
This is the universal first-timer reaction. Ten yards of dirt — our minimum order — creates a pile roughly 12 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 3 feet tall. It looks like a lot when it is sitting in your driveway. It looks like a lot less once you start spreading it across the yard. Almost everyone who calls back says they wish they had ordered more.
If your project calls for 10 to 14 yards, a single tandem load handles it. Anything over 14, we either send a larger truck or run two loads.
Prepare Your Site Before the Truck Arrives
Clear the drop zone completely. Move cars, trash cans, bikes, garden hoses — anything within 15 feet of where the pile will land. Dirt slides and spreads wider than the bed of the truck.
Measure your access. A standard tandem truck is about 8 feet wide and 25 feet long. If the truck needs to enter a gate, that gate needs to be at least 10 feet wide. Low-hanging branches and power lines matter too — the dump bed rises 15 to 20 feet when fully raised.
If it has rained recently, check for soft ground. A loaded truck weighs 25 to 35 tons. Soggy DFW clay or a muddy Denver yard will swallow tires fast. If the ground is soft, we may need to dump at the street or the edge of the driveway instead.
What You Need After Delivery
For small projects (10 to 15 yards across a manageable area), a wheelbarrow and a steel rake will get the job done. Budget a full day of physical work for 10 yards moved by hand.
For anything over 15 yards, or if you need to move material more than 50 feet from the pile, rent a Bobcat or compact track loader. A half-day rental runs $250 to $400 at most equipment yards in DFW and Denver. It will save you a full weekend of wheelbarrow trips.
A landscaping rake handles final grading. A plate compactor ($50 to $75 per day rental) is worth it if you are packing fill dirt before laying pavers, pouring concrete, or building any kind of structure on top.
Payment
We accept Zelle or Venmo. Payment is due after delivery — not before. No invoices, no net-30 terms, no credit card processing fees. The driver dumps, you pay. Simple.
Common First-Timer Mistakes
Ordering too little. This is the most common mistake by a wide margin. Measure twice, round up, and add 10 percent for compaction. A second delivery costs the same delivery fee all over again.
Not checking access. If the truck cannot reach the drop zone, the pile goes at the street. That means you are hauling material an extra 50 to 100 feet by hand or machine.
Ignoring weather. In DFW, summer heat bakes exposed fill dirt into concrete-hard clumps within 48 hours. In Denver, freeze-thaw cycles from October through April can heave freshly placed fill if it is not compacted promptly. Plan to spread and compact your material within a day or two of delivery.
Using the wrong material. Fill dirt under a garden bed means nothing grows. Topsoil under a foundation means it will settle and shift. Match the material to the job — when in doubt, text us.
Ready to get started? Text (469) 523-6420 with your project details and we will have a quote back to you in minutes.