How Much Does Mulch Cost to Deliver and Install? [2025 Data]

While the perks of adding mulch to your garden are nearly endless, how much does mulch cost? Expect to pay between $35 and $170 per cubic yard, or an average of $90 per cubic yard, for mulch installation costs. For a project, the average price is $180, or between $100 and $350. 

Mulch provides moisture and protects your garden from erosion and weeds. The price of a yard of mulch varies based on material, delivery, and installation method. Let's look at mulch costs and all the variables that affect the bottom line.

How Much Does a Yard of Mulch Cost to Deliver and Install?

When you look at your garden and calculate the cost of mulch for your flower beds, you'll need to ask yourself how much mulch costs per yard. Most professional gardens and garden stores will list bulk prices in this measurement.

Mulch Cost Factors

From vegetable gardens to new trees, you’ll need to account for multiple costs when it comes to mulch. Due to the many types of mulch on the market and the varying cost of mulch installation, the cost range can be quite extreme. Let's break the price of mulch installation down further so you have a better idea of your costs. For a precise quote on your project, consult a mulching company near you.  

Project Size

The size of the area you are mulching dramatically impacts the total price you pay. For bulk mulch, the more you buy, the less you’ll pay per yard. However, the bigger the area you are mulching, the bigger the cost of having mulch delivered and spread.

Mulch Type

Your total mulch costs depend on the type you use. Costs are broken down into cubic yards, accounting for the depth and land area being covered. So, based on mulch type, you can expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $170 per cubic yard installed. Here are some common types of mulch and the price you might pay for delivery.

Ordering organic mulch can also drive the price up to as much as $170 per square foot. Organic mulch often has better nutrient profiles, soil protection, and moisture retention. Grass clippings are also one of the most common mulch alternatives to traditional options. While grass mulch will not include a dense enough layer to receive all the benefits, it is a no-cost way to add nutrients to the area.

Delivery

Bulk mulch delivery is by the truckload and costs $20–$80 per yard, plus a flat fee of $50–$100. Most truckload deliveries start at 2 yards of mulch (or 13.5 bags). For a single-axle truck, you can expect a standard delivery size of 10 to 30 yards, or 67.5 to 202.5 bags worth of much.

Some mulch companies offer free delivery if you live in a certain proximity to their location or will offer discounted rates for larger orders. Conversely, if you live a long distance from the shop, you might incur additional fees for delivery. Always inquire about delivery rates to know exactly where your money will go. 

For smaller projects like flower beds, mulch will be delivered in bags. For larger landscaping projects, pallets or loose mulch will be delivered. To ensure a smooth delivery, lay a tarp down to direct your mulch delivery company on where to unload it.

Labor

Mulching a large area is a lot of work, so hiring someone to mulch your yard might be worth it.  Most local landscaping companies and mulch delivery companies charge a flat fee of $60 to $110 per hour for mulch installation. On average, a two-person crew can install up to 3 yards of mulch in one hour. 

Location

Where you live will affect the mulch costs for a few reasons. Overhead costs in your area affect the cost of materials, delivery, and labor rates. You may also pay more for installation in hard-to-access areas of your lawn, such as on steep slopes or surrounding complex water elements around your home.

How Much Does Mulch Cost by Color?

Opt for naturally hued or dyed mulch to complement the design of your yard. Dyed mulch can cost a bit more on average, but you can also find plenty of mulch varieties in their original color that work just as nicely. Some colors, such as striking brown or black hardwood, will cost more simply because of their materials.

Additional Costs to Consider

Large gardening projects have a habit of linking to other common costs. Build a full budget by considering the services that can pop up when considering mulch costs on their own.

Land Clearing

Are you starting from scratch and making way for a new garden? Clearing land costs between $250 and $2,800 per half-acre. The wide price range covers DIY jobs with basic hand tools and rentable mulchers, while the higher range covers large-scale projects. 

Forestry mulching, for example, is an intensive project that uses a large, complex piece of equipment to clear a dense patch of forest and undergrowth. Professionals charge between $150 and $300 per hour for the service.

Land Leveling

Is your lawn too steep to support a veggie garden? Leveling your yard costs an average of $2,200, depending on its size and the extent of the slope. You might be able to DIY the process for about $400.

Weeding

Pulling weeds up by hand is always an option, but be sure to get to the root of the problem before laying mulch. Professional weed abatement costs between $35 and $80 when paired with other lawn maintenance services, or between $70 and $150 on its own.

Mulching Sheets

Another way to keep weeds at bay is to lay mulching sheets below the mulch itself. Professionals may recommend this to keep the mulch in place longer as well. The extra process adds between $0.20 and $0.65 per square foot.

Mulch Blowing

If you're working with a large area and want to trim labor costs, mulch blowing may be an option. You'll pay between $40 and $60 per cubic yard for mulch blowing compared to up to $70 per cubic yard for hand-spreading. 

Landscaping

Bringing in the professionals for more than just mulch? Landscapers charge between $50 and $100 per hour for their services, but costs vary widely depending on the job. Flower bed installation, for example, costs anywhere from $800 to $3,000.

DIY Mulch Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

Whether winterizing your garden or planting spring flowers, learning how to install mulch yourself will save you around $0.20 per square foot—perhaps more if you're spreading rubber mulch or a higher-end product. 

Installing mulch isn't that difficult, although if you're spreading a bulk amount, you may need access to wheelbarrows or even a pickup truck to spread large loads more easily. A rake and a shovel are the two main pieces of equipment you'll need. You can also follow some popular mulching tips to prolong the life of your plants and the mulch bed itself.

However, this can be a time-consuming task that requires a lot of bending and lifting. Calling a mulching company can take this task off your plate and save you the need for a back brace. 

Bag Mulch vs. Bulk

If you’re tackling a small project, like mulching a small flowerbed, buying mulch from your local hardware store might be beneficial. At $2 to $15 a bag, you’ll save on the overall project cost since you’ll save on labor. Each bag of mulch is two cubic feet worth, and just under 14 bags make up a cubic yard. 

The major downside of purchasing bulk from a local hardware store is the lack of options available. Local mulch delivery companies have more options available, so you can build a mulch bed that works best for your project. 

How Much Mulch Do I Need?

You’re all geared up to get the mulching job done, but you’ll need to figure out how much mulch you need before you start ordering. Calculate the square feet of the area you want to cover to figure this out. Let’s say you want to mulch a 10-by-20-foot space. Multiply the width and length (10 x 20) to get 200 square feet.

Depending on what you’re working on, you’ll need anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of mulch. For this example, let’s assume you need 2 inches of mulch.

By the Truckload

If you plan on ordering mulch by the truckload, you’ll need to know how many cubic yards of mulch to order. To find this number, multiply the square footage by the number of inches (200 x 2), which comes out to 400 square feet. 

Next, divide the total by 324. In this example, 400 square feet divided by 323 is 1.23 cubic yards. 

By the Bag

Bags of mulch are sold by the cubic foot, so the math for this is a little different. Multiply the number of square feet you want to cover by the depth of the mulch as follows: 

• 1-inch deep: 0.83

• 2-inch deep mulch: 0.167

• 3-inch deep mulch: 0.25

• 4-inch deep much: 0.33

So, for this example, multiply 200 square feet by 0.167 to get 33.4 cubic feet.

Assuming you’re buying mulch bags that are two cubic feet each, you need to divide your answer above (33.4 cubic feet) by 2. So you know you’ll need 17 bags of mulch.

As a side note: If you’re not into math, you can ask your mulching company for assistance and skip the multiplication and division. A mulching pro can help you calculate how much mulch you’ll need for your landscaping project. 

Ways to Save Money on Mulch Costs

Mulch adds color to your landscape, enhances soil, suppresses weeds, and improves plant health, but it can get expensive, especially if you’re mulching a large area. Here are some tips that will make your next mulching project more affordable. If you’re really in the DIY mood, you can always learn how to make mulch to save on material costs.

Mix and Match Mulches

Mulches come in a variety of colors and styles. Opting for a higher-end organic mulch or alternative product, such as low-maintenance rubber mulch, might set you back a few extra dollars.

Instead, you might consider getting the same color mulch for smaller areas and mixing and matching. Use red or black hardwood mulch around trees or garden beds and the rubber kind for any sections that are purely aesthetic.

Lock in Rates Over Winter

Spring and early summer are the two most popular times for homeowners to order mulch. Prices may reflect current market demands, so shopping in early spring can help you save money. Some vendors will let you lock in your price for materials and installation if you purchase during winter.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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