Topsoil Delivery Cost
Screened topsoil in Ontario typically costs $30-$50 per cubic yard delivered, with pricing usually improving per-yard on larger orders (10+ yards). Screened topsoil has debris, rocks, and clumps removed, making it ready for lawns and gardens; unscreened or triple-mix topsoil is priced differently depending on additives.
A rough coverage guide: one cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep — useful for estimating how much you need for a lawn or garden bed project.
Delivery minimums and distance both affect final cost — confirm your address is within a supplier's standard delivery zone before assuming the quoted price applies.
Get a direct quote from Natural Stone Source Ontario for topsoil delivered to your address.
Choosing the Right Topsoil
Topsoil quality varies enormously and the word itself is not a specification. Screened topsoil has been passed through a screen to remove stones, roots and debris, and is what most landscaping work calls for. Unscreened material costs less but arrives with whatever was in it. Triple mix is a blend of topsoil, compost and peat, intended for garden beds rather than lawn base.
Depth drives quantity more than area does. New lawn areas generally want four to six inches of screened topsoil over a prepared subgrade, and garden beds want more. Topsoil settles noticeably after placement and watering, so order allowing for that rather than to the finished level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Four to six inches is typical for new lawn, more for garden beds. Add a margin, because topsoil settles once placed and watered.
What is the difference between topsoil and triple mix?
Topsoil is soil, usually screened to remove stones and debris. Triple mix blends topsoil with compost and peat for higher organic content. Topsoil suits lawn base and general grading, triple mix suits planting beds.
Is topsoil sold by weight or by volume?
Usually by volume, in cubic yards, though some suppliers price by weight. Moisture content changes the weight considerably, which is why volume is the more common and more predictable measure for soil.
Should topsoil go straight onto existing ground?
Loosen and grade the subgrade first. Topsoil laid over compacted or smeared ground creates a boundary that roots struggle to cross and water sits on. Scarifying the surface before placing soil makes a substantial difference to how well grass and plants establish.