Estimate Accurately. Save time and money.

The Basics: Calculating Square Feet

If the area is square or rectangular measure the length and width. Multiply the length by the width. This will give you the total area.

  • For Example: A rectangular backyard that is 40 feet long by 30 feet wide has an area of 1200 square feet. 

If you are covering multiple areas or an area that is not square or rectangular. Break the area down into squares or rectangles and measure them separately then add them together. 

  • For Example: An L-shaped yard can be broken down into a rectangle and a square. The rectangle is 30 feet long by 20 feet wide and the square is 20 feet by 20 feet. The rectangle is 600 square feet and the square is 400 square feet for a total of 1000 square feet.

How Much Soil, Gravel, Limestone, Mulch to Order?

To calculate how much material to order you first need to decide on how many inches in depth of material you need or want to add.

  1. Take the number of inches desired and divide by 12.
  2. Multiply this number by your square footage and the result is the number of cubic feet you require.
  3. To convert this to cubic yards divide the number of cubic feet by 27.

For Example:
300 square feet and you want 3 inches of soil.
3 / 12 = 0.25
0.25 x 300 = 75 Cubic Feet
75 / 27 = 2.777 Cubic Yards
Therefore, you should order 3 Cubic Yards of soil.

Clients are advised to consider if the materials are to be compacted when deciding on how many inches to calculate.

 

Sod or Interlocking Stone Estimating

  • Simply call us and tell us how many square feet you need to cover. We will translate this number into the number of individual pieces you will require.
  • Estimate generously but not excessively.
  • The better your measurements the less likely you will have excess or insufficient product.