Trying to find free fill dirt near you can feel like a secret treasure hunt.
I remember when I was leveling a small spot in my backyard that for some reason lower then the rest of the yard; I was shocked at how much a few cubic yards of simple dirt was going to cost. I knew there had to be a better way.
The good news is, there is.
Fill dirt is something that construction crews, excavators, and even homeowners need to get rid of all the time.
If you know where to look, you can often get as much as you need completely free. Whether you need a wheelbarrow or two for your new raised garden or a truckload to level an entire yard.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly where to find it and, just as importantly, how to make sure the free dirt you’re getting is safe and right for your project.
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Table of Contents
Where to Get Free Fill Dirt
Below, I’ll cover the best ways you can get free fill dirt near you.
Local & In-Person Sources
These are the old-school, boots-on-the-ground methods. It can take a bit more legwork, but you can often get a very large, high-quality load of dirt this way.
1. Local Construction Sites
This is my #1 tip.
Almost every construction project involves excavating land, and they have to pay to haul that dirt away.
If you see a site nearby, find the foreman and politely ask if they have any clean fill dirt you can take. You might be saving them a lot of time and money.
2. 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.
Make 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.
3. Your Local City or County
It’s always worth a call to your local government’s public works or streets department. Some municipalities offer free fill dirt or compost to residents as part of their public services.
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Online Marketplaces & Apps
These websites and apps are designed to connect people who have excess dirt with people who need it. This is often the fastest way to find a match in your local area.
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. 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.
6. FillDirt.org
This is a dedicated website that connects people looking to get rid of dirt with people who need dirt.
All you need to do is use the form on the website to get matched with a supplier near you and can often find listings for free dirt.
7. 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, 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.
8. DirtFill.com
This is one of the original sites for connecting people with excess fill dirt. You can register for free and post your needs or search listings.
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.
9. Earth Movement
This site connects you with excavators and construction suppliers looking to offload their extra fill dirt. While many listings have a delivery fee, I have found listings on here where the dirt itself is completely free.
What is Fill Dirt?
Fill dirt isn’t as fine or pure as topsoil.
And, it has little soil organic matter or biological activity.
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.
Crucial Safety Warning: How to Avoid Bad Fill Dirt
Before you accept any free dirt, it is absolutely critical to understand the risks. The wrong dirt can contain unwanted junk, invasive weeds, or even be contaminated with harmful substances. Knowing what to ask is essential.
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 See 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.
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.
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.
Bulk soil is measured in yards. One yard equals 27 cubic feet.
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.
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.
i was just looking to get some dirt to line my house on both sides, i have old foundation and when we get rain like we’ve had, my cellar gets water, i have no gutters so thought adding more dirt to the side of the house will give the water a longer time to get thru
I love to have some free dirt to level off my land
Hi. Years ago we had our barn torn down (I regret this decision now) but it leaves a drop-off embankment towards the top of a small uphill driveway. The driveway is now being held up by an old slate rock retaining wall. At the top, it’s about a 5-plus foot drop. It levels with the yard about halfway down, or a bit more. We need fill dirt to fill most in and level it off. The top quarter we will put better topsoil on so as to grow grass and such. There’s a well nearby, so fill dirt, nor topsoil, cannot have chemicals. We are hoping to help you get rid of your dirt, and that you can help us? Free dirt needed. Thanks, Clearfield County, Chest Township, near Cambria County line.
Annette, thanks for reading the posts and being a loyal reader of MoneyPantry.
Just as an FYI, here (at MoneyPantry.com), we are just sharing ways you can get free dirt near you. We don’t actually provide free dirt, nor do we have any, lol.
I’d suggest trying the options listed in the post above. You’d have a much better chance of reaching someone in your area who may have fill dirt to give to you in exchange for what you are offering, or they may even just give you fill dirt for free. Good luck!