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If you hire a professional landscaper, you could expect to pay between $90 and $660 to install three cubic yards of river rock. (That’s based on the average river rock installation cost of $30 to $220 per cubic yard.) However, the exact price depends on the kind of river rock you choose. Crushed limestone and riprap are some of the more affordable options, while boulders and Arizona river rock are pricier.

The best equipment for moving large rocks from your yard depends on their size and weight. A heavy-duty wheelbarrow or a rock dolly can be effective for smaller boulders. A skid-steer loader or a mini-excavator with a grapple attachment provides the necessary power and control for larger, heavier rocks that you can’t lift manually. Professionals may use a larger excavator and ratchet hoist to remove larger boulders.

The best size rock for your landscaping depends on the design, as different boulders serve different purposes. If you want to group boulders to create a natural-looking cluster, you’ll need a range of sizes. Otherwise, here are some suggestions:

• Small boulders (smaller than 12 inches across): Best for landscape edging and fire pits 

• Medium boulders (12–24 inches): Best for retaining walls and water features

• Large boulders (more than 24 inches): Best as standalone landscaping features, steps, or walkways.

Of course, you can mix and match sizes to create a unique display.

Sand is a common sublayer for hardscape features like driveways, paver patios, and more. Most projects that involve sand require a 1-inch layer to promote evenness, drainage, and weight distribution. For further drainage, most projects have a 6-inch minimum layer of gravel beneath the sand.