If you’re a contractor pricing mulch jobs or a homeowner trying to figure out what the total installed cost should look like, this guide has the numbers you need. Mulch seems simple, but the installed price per yard varies a lot depending on material type, site conditions, delivery distance, and how much prep work the beds need.
We’ll break down every cost component so you can build an accurate estimate, not just a guess. Use our mulch calculator to figure out how many yards you need, then use the pricing below to build your bid. Try EstimationPro free to turn these numbers into a professional proposal in minutes.
Quick Answer: How Much Does Mulch Cost Per Yard Installed?
Mulch costs $40-$100 per cubic yard fully installed in 2026, depending on mulch type and job conditions. That includes the mulch itself ($20-$60/yard), delivery ($50-$200 per load), and labor for spreading ($20-$45/yard). A typical residential job using hardwood mulch runs about $65 per cubic yard installed when you factor everything in. For jobs requiring bed prep, edging, or weed barrier, add $0.50-$1.50 per square foot.
Installed Cost Breakdown by Mulch Type
The table below shows the full installed cost per cubic yard, broken into material, delivery (amortized per yard based on a typical 5-yard delivery), and spreading labor.
| Mulch Type | Material/Yard | Delivery/Yard | Labor/Yard | Total Installed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood (natural) | $20-$45 | $10-$20 | $20-$35 | $50-$100 |
| Cedar | $40-$55 | $10-$20 | $20-$35 | $70-$110 |
| Dyed (black/red/brown) | $35-$50 | $10-$20 | $20-$35 | $65-$105 |
| Pine bark | $25-$40 | $10-$20 | $20-$35 | $55-$95 |
| Rubber mulch | $80-$160 | $15-$25 | $25-$40 | $120-$225 |
| Playground mulch (certified) | $35-$55 | $10-$20 | $25-$40 | $70-$115 |
Prices vary by region, supplier, and order size. Larger orders (10+ yards) typically get better per-yard material and delivery rates.
Material Costs: Bulk vs. Bagged
The biggest pricing decision is buying bulk or bagged. For any job over 2-3 cubic yards, bulk is almost always the better deal.
Bulk mulch runs $20-$60 per cubic yard from a landscape supply yard. You order by the yard, it gets delivered in a dump truck, and you or your crew spread it. This is how contractors should buy for any real job.
Bagged mulch (2 cubic foot bags from Home Depot or Lowe’s) runs $3-$7 per bag. Sounds cheap until you do the math: one cubic yard equals 13.5 bags. At $4.50 per bag, that’s about $61 per yard just in material, and you still have to haul it, open every bag, and deal with all the plastic. Bagged pricing makes sense for a small homeowner topping off a single bed. It never makes sense for a contractor.
Bulk vs. Bagged Cost Comparison
| Factor | Bulk (per yard) | Bagged (per yard equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost | $20-$60 | $40-$95 |
| Delivery | $50-$200 per load | Included (you haul) |
| Labor to spread | Faster (dump pile, wheelbarrow) | Slower (open 13+ bags) |
| Waste | Minimal | Higher (bag remnants, spillage) |
| Best for | Jobs over 3 yards | Topping off 1-2 small beds |
Delivery Costs
Delivery is where a lot of homeowners get surprised. Most landscape supply yards charge $50-$200 per delivery depending on distance and load size. Here’s what to expect:
- Local delivery (under 10 miles): $50-$100
- Extended delivery (10-20 miles): $100-$150
- Long haul or small order surcharge: $150-$200
Most trucks hold 10-15 cubic yards. If you’re ordering 8+ yards, delivery cost per yard drops significantly. A $100 delivery fee on a 10-yard order is only $10 per yard. On a 3-yard order, that same fee is $33 per yard. Order size matters.
Pro tip: Some suppliers offer free delivery on orders over a certain threshold (often 6-8 yards). Ask about it. And schedule delivery for a day when the crew is already on site to avoid wasted trips.
Labor Costs for Spreading Mulch
Spreading mulch is physically demanding work, but it’s not skilled labor. A two-person crew can typically spread 1-2 cubic yards per hour depending on bed access, wheelbarrow distance, and how much bed prep is needed.
Labor rates for mulch installation run $20-$45 per cubic yard for spreading only. That breaks down to roughly $25-$50 per hour per laborer (BLS construction laborer wage data, 2024). Here’s what affects the rate:
Production Rate Factors
- Easy access (beds next to driveway): 1.5-2 yards/hour per worker
- Moderate access (backyard, 50-100 ft wheelbarrow): 1-1.5 yards/hour per worker
- Difficult access (steep slope, narrow gates, long haul): 0.5-1 yard/hour per worker
What Adds to Labor Cost
Not every mulch job is just spreading. These common add-ons increase the labor portion:
- Bed edging: $0.50-$1.00 per linear foot
- Weed barrier fabric: $0.30-$0.75 per square foot (material + labor)
- Old mulch removal: $25-$50 per cubic yard
- Bed cleanup and weeding: $25-$50 per hour per laborer
- Plant trimming/cutback: $30-$60 per hour
A job that looks like “just mulch” can easily double in labor when the beds haven’t been maintained in two years and need weeding, edging, and old mulch raked out first.
Worked Example #1: Small Residential Job
Scenario: 400 sq ft of landscape beds, 3-inch depth, easy access, hardwood mulch.
| Line Item | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch needed | 400 sf x 3” depth / 324 = 3.7 yards, round to 4 | - |
| Mulch material (hardwood) | 4 yards x $35/yard | $140 |
| Delivery | Local, 4 yards | $75 |
| Spreading labor | 4 yards x $25/yard (easy access) | $100 |
| Bed edging | 120 linear ft x $0.75/ft | $90 |
| Total | $405 | |
| Per cubic yard installed | $405 / 4 yards | $101/yard |
Note the per-yard installed cost comes in at $101. The edging adds significantly. Without edging, the job is $315 total or $79/yard installed.
Worked Example #2: Larger Commercial Property
Scenario: 2,000 sq ft of beds, 3-inch depth, moderate access, dyed brown mulch, beds need light weeding.
| Line Item | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch needed | 2,000 sf x 3” / 324 = 18.5 yards, round to 19 | - |
| Mulch material (dyed brown) | 19 yards x $42/yard | $798 |
| Delivery | 19 yards, single truck load | $100 |
| Spreading labor | 19 yards x $30/yard (moderate access) | $570 |
| Bed weeding/cleanup | 4 hours x 2 workers x $30/hr | $240 |
| Total | $1,708 | |
| Per cubic yard installed | $1,708 / 19 yards | $90/yard |
The per-yard cost drops on larger jobs because delivery is spread across more yards and the crew gets into a rhythm. This is why volume pricing matters when you’re bidding.
How to Calculate Mulch Needed
If you don’t have the yardage yet, here’s the formula:
Cubic yards = (Length ft x Width ft x Depth inches) / 324
Common depth guidelines:
- 2 inches: Light refresh on existing mulch
- 3 inches: Standard application for most landscape beds (most common)
- 4 inches: Heavy suppression for weed-prone areas or new beds
Always add a 10% overage to your calculation for uneven beds, settling, and waste. On irregularly shaped beds, break them into rectangles, calculate each, and add them up. Or just use our mulch calculator and skip the math.
Common Mistakes When Pricing Mulch Jobs
1. Not accounting for bed prep time
The mulch itself is easy. The prep work is where the hours add up. Walk every bed before you bid and note weeds, old mulch depth, edging condition, and access. Missing this is the #1 way to lose money on mulch jobs.
2. Underestimating wheelbarrow distance
If the dump pile is 200 feet from the beds, your production rate drops by half. Factor in the haul distance or negotiate a better dump spot with the client.
3. Ignoring delivery minimums
Many suppliers have a 3-yard delivery minimum and charge the same delivery fee whether you order 3 yards or 6. If you’re close to a breakpoint, order more. The marginal material cost is way less than a second delivery.
4. Bidding per square foot instead of per cubic yard
Square foot pricing hides the depth variable. A 3-inch application and a 2-inch refresh are completely different amounts of mulch. Always calculate volume first, then convert to a total bid price.
5. Forgetting the waste factor
Between wheelbarrow spillage, uneven bed depths, and settling, you’ll use more than the calculated amount. The 10% overage isn’t padding your bid, it’s reality.
Pro Tips for Profitable Mulch Jobs
- Bundle mulch with other seasonal services. Spring cleanup + mulch + edging is a better value proposition and a bigger ticket than mulch alone.
- Set a job minimum. Delivering a crew and equipment for 2 yards of mulch isn’t worth the mobilization cost. Set a minimum around $300-$400 to protect your margin.
- Pre-order in bulk for the season. If you do a lot of mulch work, negotiate a seasonal rate with your supplier. Buying 50+ yards over a season gets you better per-yard pricing.
- Take photos before and after. Mulch jobs have dramatic visual impact. These photos are great for your portfolio and social media.
- Invoice the same day. Mulch jobs are usually same-day work. Don’t let the invoice sit for a week. Send it while the fresh beds are still on the client’s mind.
Regional Pricing Disclaimer
All prices in this guide are national averages based on 2026 supplier and labor data. Your actual costs will vary based on local material availability, labor rates, delivery distance, and seasonal demand. Mulch prices tend to be lowest in late winter/early spring and highest during peak landscaping season (April through June). Always get local supplier quotes for your specific market.
FAQ
How many cubic yards of mulch do I need for 1,000 square feet?
At the standard 3-inch depth, you need about 9.3 cubic yards for 1,000 square feet (1,000 x 3 / 324 = 9.26). Round up to 10 yards to account for overage and settling.
Is it cheaper to buy mulch in bulk or bags?
Bulk is almost always cheaper for jobs over 2-3 yards. Bulk hardwood mulch runs $20-$45 per yard versus $40-$95 per yard equivalent in bags. The only time bags make sense is for very small jobs where you’d pay more in delivery fees than you’d save on material.
How often should mulch be replaced?
Most organic mulch needs refreshing every 1-2 years. Cedar and cypress last 2-3 years. Rather than full replacement, most beds just need a 1-2 inch top-off annually. Full removal and replacement is only needed when mulch is matted, decomposed, or piled too deep (over 4 inches).
How much does it cost to mulch a yard (lawn area)?
Don’t confuse landscape bed mulching with yard area. A “yard” of mulch is a cubic yard (27 cubic feet). Mulching 1,000 sq ft of beds at 3 inches deep costs roughly $400-$900 installed depending on mulch type and site conditions. Most average residential properties need 5-10 cubic yards total.
Can I install mulch myself to save money?
Absolutely. Spreading mulch doesn’t require specialized skills. For a small job (under 5 yards), you can save $100-$200 in labor. Just order bulk delivery, borrow or buy a wheelbarrow, and plan for 3-4 hours of physical work. For larger jobs or if you want edging and bed prep done right, hiring a pro is usually worth it.
Build Your Mulch Estimate the Right Way
Pricing mulch jobs accurately means accounting for every variable: material type, volume, delivery, access, bed prep, and labor rate. Miss one of those and you’re working for free or losing the bid to someone who priced it right.
EstimationPro doesn’t just help you calculate the mulch. It builds the full estimate with line items, generates a professional proposal you can send to the client, and then follows up automatically so that bid doesn’t die in someone’s inbox. From estimate to proposal to follow-up to invoice, the whole workflow is covered. Try EstimationPro free and see how fast you can go from site visit to signed job.
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