Why Buying Bulk Landscaping Materials Saves Time and Money
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to refresh your yard or a landscaper or contractor working on a large outdoor project, one of the most important things you need to figure out before starting work is just how much material you need. Landscaping is far from an exact science. However, with so many variables involved, it can be really hard to figure out just how much sand, gravel, topsoil, and decorative stone you need to complete the job properly.
Sure, you could buy bagged materials as you go along, but that can make a huge dent in your budget. The smarter alternative is to buy bulk landscaping materials. This article can help you discover how much money and time you can save by doing that, which landscaping materials are most commonly bought in bulk, and how to calculate how much material you’re likely to need for your project.
The Real Cost Difference Between Bulk and Bagged Materials
Buying landscaping materials in bulk can help you save money in more ways than one. The biggest advantage is the much lower per-unit price. It can be up to 50% cheaper if you buy larger quantities. Landscaping material manufacturers can offer such significant price reductions because they don’t have to cover costs for extra packaging, labeling, and retail handling. All these savings are then passed on to you, resulting in a much lower price.
In addition to the much lower per-unit price, buying in bulk can also save you money by reducing your transport and delivery costs. If you keep ordering bagged materials, you’ll have to cover fuel, vehicle wear, loading, and unloading for every delivery. Even if you carry them yourself, you’ll waste a lot of time making multiple trips to the home improvement store, not to mention gas costs and your truck’s wear and tear.
How Purchasing Bulk Landscaping Materials Saves Time on Every Project
Time is money, as they say. We’ve already covered the time you save by avoiding all those extra trips to the store, but interruptions to your workflow because you’ve run out of material can be an even bigger time waster. Having enough material for your entire project from the start means that the crew can focus on getting the job done without constantly assessing how much material they have left and asking you to go get some more.
Which Landscaping Materials Are Worth Buying in Bulk
Obviously, buying in bulk isn’t effective for all projects and materials. It doesn’t make sense for smaller projects, as you don’t need all that much material to begin with. They make perfect sense for large and medium projects, however, and redoing your entire yard fits that description. The key to saving money is buying the materials that you’re sure to use in large quantities on your project, and that can be safely delivered right to your property. Some of these are:
- Topsoil: If you’re upgrading your garden, you’ll probably need a lot of soil. Even if you’re not changing your whole lawn, you’re sure to use it to fill lawn low spots, build higher planting areas, fill uneven ground areas around your yard, or redesign parts of your garden.
- Mulch: This is another must-have for a yard refresh, as you can use it in multiple spots. Getting bulk mulch can help you cover large spaces around trees, shrubs, and other areas, while also providing a consistent color throughout your yard.
- Sand and gravel: A medium or large yard refresh project is likely to include redoing paved areas like driveways, walkways, parking areas, and various decorative elements. Sand and gravel are usually sold by weight, and a bulk order can command a significant discount.
- Decorative stone: Strategically placed stone can really enhance a yard by providing a natural yet premium look. Buying in bulk makes sense due to the lower price, but also because you’re more likely to get the same color stone.
Not all yard renovation materials are suited for bulk purchasing. Elements like grass seeds, grass fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and special decorative items aren’t needed in large quantities, so it may make more sense to just buy a limited amount.
How to Calculate How Much Material You Actually Need
The potential downside of buying in bulk is ending up with lots of surplus material. This is why calculating roughly how much you need is an essential step. This is where working with an experienced company can come in handy, as our professionals at Stone Depot Landscape Supplies can help you with estimates if you don’t have the time to do it yourself. The steps are:
- Measure the area you want to cover. The first thing you need to do is multiply the length and width of the area where you need to place the material, so you can determine the square footage. If the area is irregularly shaped, try to divide it into smaller rectangles, calculate each area separately, and add them all up.
- Determine your desired depth. Now that you know the square footage of the area you need to fill, it’s time to assess the depth of your landscaping project. This can help you determine the area’s total volume.
- Calculate the cubic feet and convert them into yards. Multiply the square footage by the depth after converting both to feet. You can determine the cubic yardage by using this formula: Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
- Use the recommended quantities based on your cubic yardage. We can help provide accurate estimates based on the cubic yards you need to cover. For instance, you need about 1.5 tons of sand per cubic yard and 1.2-1.5 tons of decorative gravel per cubic yard.
Start Your Next Project the Smart Way with Stone Depot
You can save significant time and money on a yard renovation project by buying bulk landscaping materials instead of making a million trips to the store. Stone Depot Landscape Supplies is here to assist you every step of the way. Contact us today and tell us about your project, so we can advise you on bulk material orders and delivery options.