need to dispose 22-27 cu yards of dirt. how?
 

currently undertaking the renovation of the backyard. the design calls for 22-27 cu yards to be removed. i have received some HIGHER than expected estimates for excavation, retaining wall, pavers. time to slap on the overalls, straw hat and gloves.
question: what are my low cost alternatives to dispose of the dirt? the excavation estimate was $2200. i know people advertise "FREE DIRT" in the paper. is there really a demand for dirt? should i just pay the $2200?

Craigslist

Since I dig pools for a living, I always have dirt I need to get rid of. Try asking the local goverment, garbage dump, etc. down here, the trash needs to be covered with 3 inches of dirt every night. I've sold it to contractors, home owners, etc. for the cost of the truck hire. Then again, we live in the swamps and someone somewhere always needs dirt.some dump truck contractors will take it away just for the free dirt. Here dirt sells for $80-140 a load. people are more than happy to pay the $40 for the truck hire.

Lots of folks in the East Bay need clean fill for retaining walls. Call some local excavators in the phone book. Where are you in the Bay?

guys i am really appreciating the feedback. home ownership is new to me. i am in pleasant hill, ca. i posted it on craigslist - thanks for that suggestion. i didn't know i could actually get money for it. i just want to unload it and save the money for...my car :). thanks guys!

Have you ever seen The Great Escape, Bob? ;)

Often in this area I drive by sites with signs: "Fill dirt wanted"...the problem is matching up the people who don't want the dirt with the people who do. Could this be a dot-com idea???

I think dirt brokers are the 3rd oldest proffession. Look in the phone book.

bob, that is alot of dirt! i know some dump trucks carry only 5 yards, you got four or so truckloads? call, some of the area dumpyards. they use the dirt to make beautiful hills for high priced homes. i remember martinez used to take it for free. damn that is alot of material!

Bury it? :D

Call some of your local landscape contractors. They may have a need for 'fill' on some earthwork project in your area... this is assuming it is fairly clean (e.g. no rocks, garbage, organic stuff, etc.). If its not clean you will probably be stuck paying for its removal... 27 yards is just over one (1) semi load... just in case you needed a visual ;)

looks like i need to make some phone calls tomorrow and double ck my measurements. luckily i can use some of it in various parts of the yards but it's still a lot to unload. thanks everyone.

Down here in swamp land clean fill is quite valuable.

I do not know if the same applies in socal.

I life in a rural area... so this may not apply to you, but when I leveled my lot to build and dug the hole for my foundation I hired a back hoe opator for a $100 and rented a dump truck for $60 and donated my dirt the the department of natural resources. they have a large "nature conservancy" about 10 miles east of my home site. I dumped 3 loads... about 15 yards. I pulled forward as i dumped so I didn't leave big piles. It takes a little confidence to drive a dump truck with no experience, but just remember...you're a man, the only thing you cant do is have a baby, everything else you just havent figured out yet. 3 years later you can drive by where I dumped and not even notice.

a midsize excavator costs me $250 a day plus delivery and pickup $100, and 14 yard dump truck is $40 an hour. I dig and haul 6-8 loads in about 3-4 hours including time for measuring and waiting for the truck to get back. a few minutes playing with the machine and you'll get the hang of it. Home Depot rents small dump trucks for $40 a day. Do it yourself. someone in the neighborhood must need some dirt. Always call DOTTIE first or whatever the service there is called.(they call all the utlities to check for undeground services) I've hit phone lines, gas lines, cable lines, electrical lines many times. quite exciting when you knock out power for several city blocks

The last time I had to get rid of some fill. New home being built and basement dug. I paid for the loader and the guy wanting the dirt supplied the truck. Thats not uncommon around here.

Now I need fill and I'm paying $40 a load from the harbor a few blocks away. It's about the same deal, Their dregging the harbor so they just want to get rid of the dirt.

I would think that there would be someone in your area that needs some fill. New home construction may be one.

there is a ton of earth work going on in the dougherty valley east of san ramon. something like 10k homes when all said and done. independent is the name of the company doing the the grading for a few different builders out there. you may try taking a ride out there and look around for one of thier superintendents and see if they will let you take some out there. they drive light copper colored trucks. i would recommend a case of beer to open the negotiations.

i will ask around otherwise to see if i can find an dump location. ive got a feeler out now and will let you know if i get a hit.

the whole dirt to the dump thing is not as common as it once was around here in the bay area. there are more transfer stations now than old style dump has all but gone away. they sort the stuff, recycle and ship much of the dumpable stuff out of the area. the dump is a real science now, not the days of going with the old man when you were a kid and wanting to take treasures that you found home.

that's funny Adam, "just keep burrowing and push the dirt behind you" :D

i know an "unofficial" dump site. but it is near the ocean in daly city. not real cost effective for you bob.

So what's the scoop Bob? ;)