9 Places to Get Free Fill Dirt Near You!

Topsoil, on the other hand, has a high concentration of organic matter and microorganisms and is where most of the Earth’s biological soil activity occurs.

It’s a rich mixture of minerals and organic matter. Topsoil, along with compost, is required if you want to grow plants, flowers, or vegetables.

Fill dirt is the layer that’s beneath the topsoil in a garden or landscape.

While topsoil is great for growing plants, it is likely to shift or settle over time. So, it’s not ideal if you’re looking to fill in a hole or level off land.

Fill dirt, on the other hand, is much more stable. It contains more stones, rocks, and dense earth, which is ideal for filling holes.

While you can purchase fill dirt at most home improvement stores and from local sand, gravel, or mulch suppliers, it can get expensive. If you’re on a budget or looking to save money, you might be wondering if there’s any way you can get free fill dirt.

Where to Get Free Fill Dirt

Below, I’ll cover the best ways you can get free fill dirt near you.

1. Ask at Local Construction Sites

A lot of construction sites will have a bunch of dirt they need to get rid of. After all, most are digging out dirt to build whatever it is they’ve been hired to build.

It’s a good idea to ask at local construction sites. Most towns have some sort of construction going on at any given time.

So, just visit a construction site and ask if you can have any dirt for free. They might say yes, or they may already have plans to redistribute the dirt or sell it. But, it’s still worth asking.

2. FillDirt.org

FillDirt.org is a website that connects people who’re looking to get rid of dirt with people who need dirt. All you need to do is use the form on the website linked above, and the site will match you with a supplier near you.

You can get excess dirt for free or receive quotes from dirt suppliers. While not everything is free on the site, you can find some dirt that is.

3. DirtFill.com

DirtFill.com says that it has been connecting those with excess fill dirt and those who need it since 1986!

So, this company has been around for quite a long time. You can register on the site for free and post your needs/search listings for fill dirt near you. Arrangements about things like delivery, timing, and pricing are made directly between you and the other members.

Some contractors will deliver fill dirt at no charge, while others may deliver it for a fee. So, browse through the listings to find free fill dirt.

4. Craigslist

A good place to look for free fill dirt near you is Craigslist, as many construction and hauling companies, as well as other people, go on there to get rid of unwanted dirt. Many offer it for free. What’s great about Craigslist is that the site is totally free to use!

To find free stuff on the site, go to your city’s Craigslist, and then look for the “Free” section, which can be found under the “For Sale” section.

Click on this link, and you’ll be taken to the “Free” section where you’ll find people who’re giving away free things near you. To get the results you’re looking for, make sure to type “fill dirt” into the search bar.

While there won’t always be people giving away free fill dirt on Craigslist, it’s definitely worth a look.

5. Swimming Pool Builders

As you’d probably guess, swimming pool builders do a lot of digging! They excavate land to install pools for homeowners and have a lot of excess dirt. That’s why pool builders can be a good option if you’re looking to get some fill dirt for free. Be sure to measure how many cubic yards you need.

You can call around local pool companies to see if they have any fill dirt available. It’s definitely worth a try if you’re looking to get dirt for your yard or for building a garden.

6. Local Government Fill Dirt Programs

Some cities and counties make fill dirt available to people for free. It can be a good idea to check with your local city or county offices.

7. Facebook Marketplace

Most people know Facebook Marketplace as a platform for buying and selling items locally. However, it’s also a great resource for free stuff. You can find people giving away all sorts of items for free on Facebook Marketplace.

There’s actually a category for fill dirt on the site, but this includes dirt that you have to pay for as well. There’s a section on the site just for free items, which I’ve linked to in the section heading.

So, it’s worth browsing there to see if you can find anyone giving away free fill dirt.

8. OfferUp

OfferUp is mostly known as a site where people can buy and sell items online, but it’s also a good place to get free stuff, including fill dirt. There’s a section on the site just for free items, where you’ll find people giving away a variety of things. You can use the site to find free fill dirt near you.

You can scroll through the free section, which I’ve linked to in the heading of this section, to see if anyone is giving away fill dirt.

The only issue is that all of the free items are mixed together, so it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for on OfferUp.

Aside from scrolling through the free section, you can also search for the item you want. Just enter “fill dirt” into the search bar and hit search to get a list of results.

Now, it’s important to note that the results will include fill dirt that you have to pay for. To find the free options, you can filter the results by “Price: Low to High.”

If there’s anyone giving away free fill dirt, you’ll be able to see it.

Even if you can’t find any free items in your search, you might still find the cheapest options on OfferUp and get a great deal.

I’ve seen lots of posts on OfferUp where people have listed free fill dirt, so it’s a great option that many people may not consider.

9. Earth Movement

Finally, we have Earth Movement. This website allows you to have fill dirt delivered to you for a low cost. The site helps connect people with excavators, construction, and landscape suppliers to offload their extra fill dirt.

The site mentions that you can get dirt delivered cheaply but does not specifically mention free dirt. However, I browsed through the listings and found a few people giving away dirt for free.

So, although many of the listings charge for dirt, some offer it for free. Just enter your location into the search bar on the site and browse through the listings.

How to Avoid the Dangers of Free Fill Dirt

It’s important to be cautious when accepting free fill dirt because it can be low quality, may contain unwanted debris or junk, or could even be contaminated with harmful substances.

It’s essential to know what dirt you’re actually getting.

In this section, I want to share some tips on how to protect yourself from bad fill dirt.

Ask Questions About the Fill Dirt

When it comes to getting free fill dirt, it will most likely be offered by people you’ve never met and companies you’ve never heard of before. Sadly, some people might be misleading or even lie about the quality of their fill dirt because it’s easier to get rid of clean and screened fill than common fill.

This means that just because an ad says the fill is clean, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is.

So, it’s important to ask questions to learn more about the fill and to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate source.

Here are some questions to ask the person offering the free fill:

• Where did the fill come from?
• What type of fill is it?
• Does the dirt contain any debris, large rocks, roots, or trash?
• Has the dirt been screened?
• What are safe uses for this dirt?
• Has the dirt been tested? Is it certified clean?
• Who tested the dirt? Can you see the paperwork?
• Do you offer any guarantees on the dirt?

Yes, this line of questioning may scare away some people, but if the person offering the dirt is honest and providing good fill, they should have no problem discussing where the dirt came from and answering any other questions you may have.

Ask to View the Source of the Dirt

This isn’t always possible, but if you can, it’s a good idea to go directly to the source of the fill. Doing so can give you a better understanding of what’s being offered.

For example, you might find that the dirt on offer is being excavated from the side of a highway littered with trash and debris. This type of dirt wouldn’t be useful for filling your backyard, so you wouldn’t want to use it.

Test the Fill Dirt

If you plan to use fill dirt beneath a new home or building, it’s best to have it tested by a soil engineer. You don’t want to risk an unstable foundation or expose yourself, your family, and your pets to hazardous materials.

Soil testing can be more affordable than you might think.

According to Clemson University Regulatory Services, a standard soil test costs only $6. Cutting corners can have consequences, so to ensure that the soil you’re using is safe, consider getting it tested!

Avoid Fill Dirt from These Sources

Although getting free dirt can save you money, it can be risky. Dirt from certain sources should be avoided. You don’t want to use potentially dangerous soil on your property.

So, avoid these sources of dirt:

• Ditch cleanouts: Although road crews are often happy to give away the dirt they dig out of ditches, it usually contains lots of litter, weed seeds, and environmental contaminants from vehicle traffic.
• Potentially contaminated sites: Places like old home sites, urban lots, and industrial areas are likely to be contaminated with dangerous levels of heavy metals and hazardous materials. That’s why it’s best to avoid getting fill dirt from these locations.
• Unknown sources: When you see offers for free fill dirt, you don’t really know what you’re getting. That’s why it’s important to ask, as mentioned above, where the dirt is from, and to view the source yourself if possible. Don’t get free fill dirt from unknown sources. Local construction sites are a good option because you can see what you’re getting and know where it came from. Be sure to ask questions about the source of the dirt and take a soil sample to have it tested.

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions people have when they want to get free fill dirt.

Where can I get free fill dirt near me?

Some of the best places to get free fill dirt near you include local construction sites, FillDirt.org, and Craigslist. Check out our list for even more options.

What can I use instead of fill dirt?

Some people try to use topsoil rather than fill dirt. However, topsoil tends to be looser than fill dirt, so it shifts and settles more. Fill dirt is much more stable. Topsoil can be used instead if you are filling holes, but you will need more of it, and it typically costs more than fill dirt. If you need to fill in a large expanse or level ground, then you will need to use fill dirt.

How much is 1 yard of dirt?

Bulk soil is measured in yards. One yard equals 27 cubic feet.

Should I use fill dirt or topsoil?

Fill dirt is great for many different projects, but it lacks organic matter. If you’re looking to fill in space, fill dirt is your best option. However, if you want to grow something, like vegetables or plants, you’ll want the organic matter that topsoil provides. So, use topsoil for growing and fill dirt for filling.

Do I need a pickup truck?

That depends on how much dirt you need. Even if you require a truckload but don’t have a pickup truck, you can always rent one from your local home improvement store.

Closing Thoughts

If you need to level off land or fill in an area on your property, then you’re going to need fill dirt.

The cost of fill dirt can really add up, which is why so many people online ask, “Where can I get free fill dirt near me?”

Thankfully, whether you need a few bags or a truckload of fill dirt, you have many options, including local construction sites, FillDirt.org, Craigslist, swimming pool builders, and OfferUp.

Please keep in mind that there are risks involved with using free fill dirt, as you don’t always know where it comes from. Be sure to ask about the dirt’s origin and consider getting it tested.

Obviously, your safest option is to purchase it from a well-known home improvement store. For small or medium projects, the cost of standard fill dirt won’t be too much. When your budget is tight, though, free fill dirt is a great option. Just make sure you follow the safety precautions mentioned earlier.