Hi everyone! I'm a homeowner who's currently working on a large paver patio and I need to figure out what to do with about 17 yards of dirt that I'm digging out. My family member is helping me with a mini excavator, but we don't have access to a dump truck or any equipment that could haul the dirt away. Do you think it's reasonable to try and give this dirt away, maybe on Marketplace or something? Or should I consider hiring a dump truck instead? I'm looking for any ideas or recommendations. Thanks a lot!
5 Answers
Just put it in my driveway! ? But seriously, posting it up for free is probably your best bet!
I’m not sure how much 17 yards is either, but when I cleared dirt for my 250 sqft patio, I just piled it up and spread it out gradually in my yard over a month. It might take some time and effort, but it’s an easy and budget-friendly solution!
If the dirt is untainted native soil, there’s definitely a chance someone will want it! I try to save my extra dirt for later projects so I don’t have to bring in soil from unknown sources. You definitely don’t want to accidentally introduce invasive plants like Tree of Heaven or Japanese Knotweed to your yard, trust me on that one!
Just a heads up, what you have is actually "clean fill," not just dirt. Before you start giving it away, think about any low spots in your yard that could use some filling. Clean fill is often hard to find, so you might want to keep some for future projects if you can!
You might be surprised to find that many people are happy to take fill dirt for free, especially if you can load it onto their truck with a skid steer. Just make sure you state in your listing that you want it all taken at once, to avoid a flood of neighbors coming by for a bucket or two. Posting on Marketplace or Craigslist as free fill is a solid plan!
Oh wow, that's a really good point! I hadn't thought about potential invasives. I'll be extra careful!