Do you have some large holes on your property that you need to fill up?
If you are building a retaining wall around your property, you may need to stabilize it. Alternatively, you may want to raise your land a little, especially if you live on or close to a floodplain. In all of these cases, Fill Dirt will help you get the job done. However, purchasing a dump truck or two of earth could be tricky if you’re on a tight budget.
So, let’s take a closer look at 9 places to get free Fill Dirt near you.
Contents
About Fill Dirt
Fill Dirt supplies a type of soil that is much denser and less pure than topsoil. It usually features some organic matter, which serves to make it denser. This is the layer of soil that is set beneath topsoil in gardens and landscapes.
It is much more stable than topsoil and contains small stones and rocks. This makes it ideal for filling holes and small depressions in the ground. Although it is possible to purchase it from home improvement stores, it can be quite expensive. If you need a large amount, it’s best to look for an alternative source.
9 Places To Get Free Fill Dirt Near You
People who are working on building projects are likely to have soil to spare. It’s worth checking in your neighborhood to see if anyone is building a swimming pool. Here are some other places you can get the soil without paying any money.
1 Local Construction Sites
If you have a construction site in your area, there is likely to be a lot of soil they want to get rid of. When the foundations for a building are dug, a lot of soil will be displaced and often can’t be used. You are likely to be doing the site manager a favor by taking some of it away with you.
It’s worth taking a drive around your neighborhood to see if any construction work is going on. Once you find a likely site, make an inquiry about if there are plans to use the leftover soil. If the site manager doesn’t already have a contract to sell the soil, you might be able to grab a few sacks.
2 FillDirt.org
You can use the FillDirt.org website to connect with people who are selling or giving away soil. After heading to the website, you will find an online form to fill out. You will then be matched with a soil supplier in your local area.
It is important to specify that you don’t want to pay for the soil when filling out the form. You also need to include how much you need and if you need it delivered. The more detailed your form is, the easier it will be to find the perfect match. The website also features listings so that you can reach out to companies directly if you prefer.
3 DirtFill
This company was founded in 1986 and connects people who need soil with those who have excess. You need to register and create an account to search the listings or create one yourself. You can then fill out a form, which tells the company exactly what you are looking for.
The team will search for a company or individual in your area that is giving away soil. It’s important to clarify all the details before accepting an offer. In some cases, there may be no charge for delivery, while in others, there could be a small fee.
4 Craigslist
This popular platform features a free section where you can find things people are giving away. It’s worth taking the time to check out the listings and see what you can get. If you don’t find soil, you can also make your own listing and hope someone answers.
Creating your own listing doesn’t cost a cent and allows you to connect with a huge number of people. This gives you the freedom to specify exactly what you’re looking for, including the exact quality. If you’re lucky, a few people might reach out, and you could have your pick of options.
Always be cautious…
People who use Craigslist do not have to disclose their name, contact details, or other personal information. This means that you should proceed with caution, especially if an offer seems too good to be true. If you go to collect the soil yourself, it’s best to take someone with you in case there is a problem.
5 Swimming Pool Companies
Companies that specialize in building swimming pools have to dig up a lot of soil on a regular basis. If they don’t have a use for the soil, they are likely to want to give it away. Therefore, it’s worth doing an online search to see if there are any in your area.
Before reaching out to a company, work out how many cubic yards of soil you need. It’s a good idea to contact several companies, if possible, to see what they have to offer. With a little persistence, you are likely to find one that will give the soil away.
6 Landscape Companies
Companies that offer tree removal and landscaping services often have a lot of excess soil. If they work for private clients, those clients are unlikely to have a use for it. You might actually be doing the company a favor by taking the soil off their hands.
Try to find companies as close to home as possible to save yourself time and trouble. You are likely to find that the amount of soil they give away is limited. So, reach out to a few if you need a large amount.
7 Facebook Marketplace
A large number of people post things for sale or give away on Facebook Marketplace. One of the great things about this platform is that you can connect with thousands of people in your area. You will only see listings from people who live within a specified distance from your house.
Because there are so many listings on Facebook Marketplace, the listings are arranged into categories. There is even a specific category for different types of soil. It’s worth taking the time to check out what’s available and reach out if you’re interested.
8 OfferUp
This popular website is dedicated to buying and selling a wide range of items. While this is a good place to sell your stuff, OfferUp also features a section for free stuff. It’s worth checking out this section to see if anyone in your area is giving away soil.
The listings in this category are not organized, and you may need to spend a little time searching. Entering soil into the search bar may help you to find what you need more quickly. Make sure you read the listing carefully to ensure that it is actually being given away.
9 Earth Movement
If you don’t have your own pickup truck, Earth Movement will deliver soil for a small fee. This is a quick and reasonably low-cost solution so that you can get the soil you need. This website will also connect you with landscape and construction suppliers.
While some of the companies that list on this site charge for the soil, some are willing to give it away. Make sure you confirm the price you will be expected to pay before placing an order.
Keeping it local…
One of the great things about Earth Movement is that the listings are packed with suppliers. You can specify the distance covered so that you only contact suppliers in your area. This will also help you reduce the cost of gas or delivery.
How To Get Quality Soil?
It’s important to note that the quality of this type of soil can vary widely. Some of it is full of large stones, while others feature smaller pebbles. If you’re unlucky, the soil you’re given could be filled with unwanted debris or even harmful chemicals. Here are some ways to make sure that what you receive is the right quality.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
If you are reaching out to people and companies you have no connection with, it’s best to exercise caution. Some people may be focused on getting rid of the soil and won’t care too much about the quality. It could be contaminated, and people may lie just to get it off their land.
Therefore, you need to ask questions to find out as much as possible. This will help to make sure that you get what you actually want. Try to be polite and friendly so that you don’t offend the person. While the questions are likely to scare off some people, the right person shouldn’t have a problem answering them.
Examples of questions to ask include:
- Where did the soil come from?
- What type of soil is it?
- Does the soil contain any large rocks, roots, debris, or trash?
- Has the soil been screened?
- Does the soil come with any guarantees?
- What are safe uses for this soil?
- Has the soil been tested?
- Who tested the soil?
Ask to see the source
It’s best to try and visit the source of the soil so that you can do a visual inspection. This will help you get a better understanding of where it comes from and what it contains. You will be able to quickly see if the land is covered with trash, debris, and large rocks.
Test the soil
It’s best to get the soil tested by a certified soil engineer if possible. This is particularly important if you are planning to use it to fill the land beneath your home. Failing to get the soil tested could mean that your land becomes contaminated. While getting it tested takes time, the good news is that you only need to pay $6.
Sources To Avoid
The last thing you want is to accidentally use potentially harmful or dangerous soil on your property. If it is full of debris, you are likely to find that you spend a long time sifting it. Let’s take a closer look at the sources that you should stay away from.
Potentially contaminated sites
Some sites are much more likely to be contaminated with dangerous levels of hazardous materials and heavy metals. These include industrial areas, urban lots, and the sites of old homes. It is best to avoid soil that comes from these sites, even if it’s being given away.
Ditch cleanouts
Road crews often have a large amount of excess soil when they dig out ditches. However, it is likely to be contaminated with litter, weed seeds, roots, and exhaust fumes. It’s best to stay away unless you are sure that it’s safe to use.
Unknown sources
Make sure you know where the soil comes from before deciding to use it. It’s important to ask a few questions to make sure the source is clean and it is safe to use. If you can’t get precise source information, it’s best to avoid getting it.
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Final Thoughts
If you need to level off or raise your land, Fill Dirt is a stable and easy-to-use solution. However, working on home projects can be quite expensive. If you need to cut costs, it’s best to search for a company or individual that will not charge you for soil.
There are plenty of places to get what you need without paying a cent when you know how. It is important to take the time to find out where the soil came from and make sure it’s not contaminated. You may also need to pay to have it delivered or hire a pickup truck if you don’t own one.
Good Luck with your new build!