Yardexa estimating guides
Short, practical guides on how contractors and estimators plan material orders. Every guide links to the calculator that does the math.
Browse by topic
Materials
Practical estimating guides — how to read a material spec, when to add waste, and when to buy bagged instead of bulk.
Concrete
Concrete estimating basics: how much concrete a slab needs, when to order ready-mix, and how bag yields work.
Earthwork
Excavation and hauling fundamentals — swell factors, truck sizing, and disposal cost.
Landscaping
Landscaping guides for beds, lawns, paths, and driveways — the depths and volumes pros use every day.
All guides
How Much Mulch Do I Need?
A step-by-step method for turning a bed's square footage into an accurate mulch order — depth, waste, and delivery included.
How Many Bags of Mulch Are in a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet — so a 2 cu ft bag gets you 13.5 bags per yard. Here's the full reference, plus a break-even calculator.
How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
New lawns want 4–6 inches. Vegetable beds want 12 inches. Here's how to translate those depths into an accurate topsoil order.
Gravel Calculator Guide: Cubic Yards vs Tons
Some suppliers sell gravel by the yard, others by the ton. Here's how to convert between them and order the right amount every time.
River Rock Size Guide
River rock comes in sizes from pea-sized to fist-sized. Each has a specific use. Here's the full breakdown.
Decorative Rock Size Guide
From granite screenings to fist-sized boulders — a professional's size chart with matched use cases and coverage rates.
How Deep Should Mulch Be?
2–3 inches for beds, 3–4 for trees, 9+ for playground safety. Here's why depth matters and what happens outside that range.
How Deep Should Decorative Rock Be?
Two inches for ground cover, three for weed suppression, four to six for driveways. Depth is a durability decision, not just an aesthetic one.
How to Measure Square Footage for Landscaping
Accurate square footage is where every material estimate begins. Here's the method landscapers use for any bed shape, no matter how odd.
Landscape Fabric: When and How to Use It
Landscape fabric is a tool, not a magic barrier. Here's when it works, when it doesn't, and how to install it so it lasts.
How Much Concrete Do I Need?
Concrete estimating comes down to volume, waste, and delivery format. Here's the math and the decision rule between bags and ready-mix.
Raised Bed Soil Calculator Guide
The right raised-bed fill isn't just topsoil — it's a blend that drains, holds moisture, and doesn't collapse in year two.
Potting Soil Bag Size Guide
Potting soil bags come in six or seven common sizes. Here's how much each fills, and how to pick the cheapest combination for your job.
Ground Cover Plant Spacing Guide
Full ground cover comes down to spacing and pattern. Here's the exact plant count per square foot for every common species and layout.
French Drain Gravel Calculator Guide
A French drain is only as good as its rock. Here's how to size the trench, pick the right stone, and calculate the exact volume you'll need.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
A cubic yard is the standard unit for bulk material. Here's the formula and a worked example.
How Many Cubic Yards Fit in a Dump Truck?
10–14 cubic yards is a common single-axle payload — but weight often governs before volume.
Cubic Yards vs Tons — Which Should You Order In?
Yards measure volume, tons measure weight. Suppliers price and load in one or the other.
How Much Topsoil Do You Need for a Lawn?
New lawns want 4–6 inches. Overseeding gets by with 1–2 inches. Topsoil settles ~15%.
How to Estimate Concrete for a Slab
Cubic yards = area × thickness ÷ 27. Add 10% waste. Over ~1 cubic yard, switch from bags to ready-mix.
How to Calculate Excavation Quantity
Bank yards × swell = loose truck yards. Round truckloads up and confirm disposal rate.
How to Estimate Gravel for a Driveway
4 inches minimum for cars, 6 inches for trucks, over a compacted road-base subgrade.
Bulk Material vs Bagged Material
Break-even is usually around 0.5–1 cubic yard. Below that, bags win on convenience.
Why Waste Factor Matters in Estimating
Running short costs more than the excess — a small waste factor prevents a costly re-delivery.