Plan compost sourcing for pads, berms, and landscapes. Enter area, depth, pricing, and crew time today. See volume, weight, and total installed cost instantly.
| Scenario | Area | Depth | Waste | Price Basis | Unit Price | Total Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape bed refresh | 2,000 ft² | 3 in | 8% | Per cubic yard | 28.00 | ≈ 953.00 |
| Park slope stabilization | 1,200 m² | 6 cm | 10% | Per cubic meter | 22.00 | ≈ 2,050.00 |
| Utility trench backfill blend | 500 ft² | 4 in | 12% | Per short ton | 45.00 | ≈ 420.00 |
Compost is often specified for landscape beds, biofiltration media, slope stabilization, and soil rehabilitation on construction sites. Cost accuracy depends on geometry, moisture, and delivery logistics, not only supplier price. Early takeoffs help sequence hauling with grading.
The calculator converts area and depth into volume, then applies an overage factor. In imperial units, cubic yards are common for bulk delivery; in metric projects, cubic meters are standard for procurement schedules. For example, 2,000 ft² at 3 in is about 18.5 yd³.
Bulk density varies widely with feedstock and moisture. Dry screened compost can be lighter, while wet material can be much heavier. Typical estimate ranges are 30–55 lb/ft³ or 480–880 kg/m³. Using an updated density value improves ton-based pricing and avoids under-ordering during rainy weeks.
A 5–15% waste allowance is typical when placement losses, wheel-tracking, and compaction are expected. Finer blends may settle more after watering and initial rolling. The overage factor protects coverage when final grades are tight.
Suppliers quote per cubic yard, per cubic meter, per short ton, or per metric tonne. The calculator translates your adjusted quantity into each measure, letting you compare bids even when vendors use different quoting conventions. When quotes include minimum loads, reflect that by increasing delivery or material totals. Add screening, testing, or certification fees if specifications require documented quality on site.
Delivery fees can dominate small jobs, while labor and equipment rise on large spreads. Track crew hours for spreading, grading, and cleanup. As a planning benchmark, crews may place 10–25 yd³ per hour with a loader, but access and slope reduce output. Include loaders, skid steers, or blower trucks as daily equipment costs.
Contingency covers uncertainty such as access restrictions, soft subgrade, compost rework, or additional watering passes. Many estimators carry 5–10% on routine placements and 10–15% on constrained sites. Tax rules vary by jurisdiction and contract type. Choose whether tax is applied before or after contingency to match accounting practice.
Exporting CSV supports estimate review, bid tabs, and change-order backup. The PDF report is useful for field packets, approvals, and vendor confirmations. Store the report with delivery tickets and moisture notes to explain any weight differences. Keeping inputs and outputs together makes later reconciliation faster and reduces scope disputes.
Use the same units used in your plans. Imperial works well for cubic-yard deliveries. Metric is convenient for cubic-meter procurement and kilogram-based density data. Switching units does not change the math, only the displayed inputs and outputs.
Start with supplier data or past delivery tickets. If you only know weight and volume, density equals weight divided by volume. Moist compost is heavier, so update density after rain or long storage to avoid underestimating ton-based costs.
Per-ton pricing can be fair when moisture varies or when scales are used at the yard. Per-volume pricing is common for screened material delivered by truck. Compare both by using the calculator’s unit basis options for the same project.
Many estimates use 5–10% for flat, accessible placements and 10–15% for slopes, tight access, or heavy compaction. Increase overage when feathering edges, blending amendments, or when final coverage is critical for inspection.
That depends on how your accounting applies sales tax. Some teams tax only direct costs, while others tax the full billed amount. Use the tax timing option to match your contract language and local requirements.
Yes. Enter expected equipment days and a daily rate for loaders, skid steers, blower trucks, or spreaders. If equipment is billed hourly, convert to an equivalent daily amount or add it under miscellaneous costs.
Export CSV for review and include the PDF report for backup. Add delivery tickets, moisture notes, and photos of placement areas. Clear documentation of quantities, unit pricing, and site constraints makes approvals faster.
Accurate compost budgeting keeps schedules steady and costs predictable.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.