Ordering the right amount of material saves you money and a second delivery. Order too little, and your project stalls. Order too much, and you have a pile blocking the driveway for weeks.
So before you book a load, it pays to do a little math. The good news? It is simpler than it looks. This guide walks Kingston and Frontenac County homeowners through estimating topsoil and gravel, the common material types, and how bulk delivery works around here.
The Simple Formula for Estimating Material
Bulk material is sold by the cubic yard. To figure out how many yards you need, you measure your area and decide how deep you want the material. Then you multiply.
Here is the formula in plain terms:
- Length (feet) × Width (feet) = square feet
- Square feet × depth (in feet) = cubic feet
- Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards
That last step matters, because one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. So you always divide by 27 at the end.
The tricky part is the depth. Most people measure depth in inches, not feet. To convert inches to feet, divide by 12. For example, 4 inches is 0.33 feet, and 2 inches is 0.17 feet.
A Quick Tip on Depth
Loose material settles. So if you spread topsoil at 4 inches, it will compact a bit over time. Because of that, it is smart to order slightly more than your exact number. A 5 to 10 percent buffer covers spillage, uneven ground, and settling.
Worked Examples You Can Copy
Numbers are easier to follow with real projects. Here are three common ones we see across the Kingston area.
Example 1: A New Garden Bed
Say your raised bed is 10 feet long and 4 feet wide, and you want 8 inches of soil.
- 10 × 4 = 40 square feet
- 8 inches ÷ 12 = 0.67 feet deep
- 40 × 0.67 = 26.8 cubic feet
- 26.8 ÷ 27 = about 1 cubic yard
So one yard of triple mix fills that bed nicely. Add a little extra if you plan to mound it.
Example 2: Topdressing a Lawn
Topdressing uses a thin layer, usually a quarter to a half inch. Say your lawn is 1,000 square feet and you want a half inch.
- 0.5 inch ÷ 12 = 0.04 feet deep
- 1,000 × 0.04 = 40 cubic feet
- 40 ÷ 27 = about 1.5 cubic yards
So you would order roughly 1.5 yards of screened topsoil for a light topdressing.
Example 3: A Gravel Driveway
Gravel driveways need more depth, usually 4 to 6 inches for the top layer. Say your driveway is 50 feet long and 12 feet wide, and you want 4 inches of crush.
- 50 × 12 = 600 square feet
- 4 inches ÷ 12 = 0.33 feet deep
- 600 × 0.33 = 198 cubic feet
- 198 ÷ 27 = about 7.3 cubic yards
So you would order around 7.5 to 8 yards of 3/4 crush. If you are building a driveway from scratch, you will also need a base layer underneath, which adds more material.
Not sure which stone fits your project? Our guide to driveway gravel types breaks down the options in plain language.
Common Material Types and What They Do
Picking the wrong material is a common mistake. Each type has a job. Here is a quick rundown of what we deliver most often.
- Screened topsoil – Sifted to remove rocks and debris. Best for lawns, topdressing, and levelling.
- Triple mix – A blend of topsoil, compost, and peat or sand. Great for gardens and new beds because it holds nutrients.
- Fill – Cheaper material for raising grade or filling low spots. It is not meant for growing plants.
- 3/4 crush – Crushed stone with fines that lock together. The go-to for driveways and pads.
- Recycled asphalt – A budget-friendly driveway surface that packs hard over time.
If you are unsure which one suits your job, read our breakdown of topsoil vs fill vs gravel. It explains the best use for each.
How to Judge Quality
Not all topsoil is equal. Poor soil can be full of clay, weed seeds, or debris. Because that ruins a garden, it helps to know what good soil looks like. Our quick guide on how to spot good soil shows you what to check before you spread it.
How Bulk Delivery Works in the Kingston Area
Buying in bulk is far cheaper than bagged material. For example, a single cubic yard of topsoil holds roughly the same volume as more than a dozen bags. So once you need more than half a yard, bulk usually wins.
Here is how a typical delivery goes:
- You tell us the material and the amount in yards.
- We confirm the delivery address and a clear spot to dump.
- The truck backs in and tips the load where you point.
- You spread it with a wheelbarrow, rake, or skid steer.
We deliver across Kingston, Inverary, Odessa, Westbrook, and the surrounding Frontenac County townships. Because we are local, we know the back roads and the seasonal weight limits.
Picking a Drop Spot
Choose a flat, open area near where you will use the material. A spot close to the project saves you hours of wheelbarrow trips. Also, keep in mind that fresh asphalt or soft lawns can be marked by a loaded truck. So point us to gravel or packed ground when you can.
How Much Does It Cost?
Material prices change with fuel, demand, and how far the truck travels. Bulk landscaping materials in Ontario generally run in clearly variable ranges, so we quote each load based on the material, volume, and your location. For a sense of how aggregate pricing moves, the Province of Ontario’s aggregate resources information shows how regulated this industry is.
Rather than guess, the honest answer is to call for a current quote. We give you the delivered price up front, with no surprises. You can compare it against the bag-store math and decide.
Larger Jobs and Grading
Some projects need more than a dump of material. If you are levelling a lot, building a pad, or preparing for a new build, the grade matters as much as the material. We handle the full job through our site grading and lot preparation work.
For example, a recent gravel pad and topsoil grading project shows how we combine aggregate delivery with proper machine grading. That gives you a finished surface, not just a pile to deal with.
Get a Free Quote
Whether you need a single yard of triple mix or a full driveway’s worth of crush, we make ordering simple. Tell us the material and the amount, and we will confirm the delivered price.
Ready to book? Visit our topsoil & gravel delivery page or call 613-545-7955 for a free quote. We will help you get the amount right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of topsoil equal one cubic yard?
One cubic yard roughly equals 13 to 14 standard bags of soil. Because bulk costs much less per volume, it usually makes sense once you need more than half a yard. For most lawn or garden jobs, bulk delivery is the cheaper choice.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
For a healthy new lawn, aim for 4 to 6 inches of quality topsoil over the base. Topdressing an existing lawn needs far less, usually a quarter to a half inch. Deeper soil gives roots room to grow and holds moisture better.
What is the difference between triple mix and topsoil?
Screened topsoil is sifted soil on its own. Triple mix blends topsoil with compost and peat or sand, so it holds more nutrients. Gardeners often prefer triple mix for beds, while topsoil works well for lawns and levelling.
Do you deliver outside the City of Kingston?
Yes. We deliver across Frontenac County, including Inverary, Odessa, Westbrook, and the surrounding townships. Delivery cost depends on distance, so we confirm it when we quote your load.
How much extra material should I order?
Order about 5 to 10 percent more than your exact calculation. That covers settling, spillage, and uneven ground. Running short means a second delivery fee, so a small buffer usually saves money.