Bulk topsoil delivery by dump truck

Landscapers, home builders, excavation contractors, property managers and homeowners with larger projects.

You sell by the yard or by the load with a delivery charge. Contractors who need regular loads can become repeat accounts.

• Safe truck driving and load handling
• Basic truck maintenance
• Quoting jobs and building relationships with contractors

• Check whether your truck's weight rating requires a CDL under federal and state rules
• Check with your state about USDOT numbers, registration, and weight and route restrictions
• Commercial auto insurance is costly and essential, along with general liability
• Budget for a used truck in reliable condition, plus insurance deposits, registration and a repair reserve, as the truck is the biggest cost
• Truck repairs, fuel and slow seasons can squeeze cash flow, so keep a reserve
• Check your city or county for a business license, and your state for sales tax on soil
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire a driver

Estimates typically put startup costs around $60,000 to $150,000, depending on the truck's condition, insurance deposits, registration and a repair reserve. The truck is the biggest single cost.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many loads you deliver and your local soil prices. Fuel, repairs and slow seasons can squeeze cash flow, so keep a reserve.

Check whether your truck's weight rating requires a CDL under federal and state rules. Ask your state about USDOT numbers, registration, and weight and route restrictions. Commercial auto and general liability insurance are also worth checking.