Bulk Topsoil, Mulch or Gravel Delivery: How to Prep Your Property
To get ready for a bulk topsoil, mulch or gravel delivery, you need to choose a drop spot the dump truck can reach safely, clear overhead wires and obstacles, protect your driveway surface, and keep the pile off the road unless the City allows it. In London, the Streets By-law prohibits placing dirt or other material on a street without lawful authority, so plan for the load to land on your own property.
Fall is a busy time for material deliveries in London. Homeowners top up beds with mulch before winter, fill low spots with topsoil, and add gravel to driveways and paths before the ground freezes. A few minutes of planning before the truck arrives makes the drop faster and safer, and keeps the material where you need it.
Step 1: Choose the right drop spot
The ideal drop spot is:
On your property, not on the street, sidewalk or boulevard.
Firm and level. A loaded dump truck is heavy, and soft lawns, septic beds and wet clay can rut.
Close to where you'll use the material. Every metre you don't have to wheelbarrow saves time.
Easy to clean up. A driveway is common, but mulch and topsoil can stain, so protect the surface (see Step 4).
Away from drains. Don't drop material where rain can wash it into a catch basin.
Mark the spot with a cone, a chair or a tarp so the driver knows exactly where you want it.
Step 2: Check overhead clearance and power lines
When the box goes up, a dump truck needs a lot of overhead space. Look up before you pick a spot:
Power and service lines to your house
Tree branches over the driveway
Eavestroughs, carport roofs and basketball nets
The Electrical Safety Authority says dump trucks have the highest rate of powerline contacts among high-reach equipment. Its best practices for dump truck operators call for keeping the box and load at least 3 m from energized lines, unloading away from lines, and lowering the box before the truck moves. If you have overhead wires crossing your driveway, tell us when you book so the driver can plan an alternate drop.
Step 3: Clear the path
Before delivery day:
Move vehicles out of the driveway, plus anything parked on the street near your entrance.
Open gates and confirm their width if the drop is in the backyard.
Remove trailers, bins and toys from the path.
Note anything buried that shouldn't be driven over, such as septic tanks, weeping beds, sprinkler heads or shallow utilities.
If your driveway is shared or narrow, warn your neighbour.
Step 4: Protect your driveway and lawn
Material piles can mark a driveway, especially fresh, dark mulch, wet topsoil, and stone with sharp edges.
Lay a heavy tarp where the pile will go. It makes cleanup easier and protects pavers and concrete.
Think about the surface. New asphalt or recently laid pavers may not be the best spot for a heavy load. If you're unsure, ask us about dropping elsewhere.
Keep the pile off the lawn if you can. Grass under a pile for more than a few days will yellow or die.
Sweep up promptly so material doesn't track onto the street. London's Streets By-law prohibits gravel or dirt spilling or tracking onto road works.
Step 5: Know the street rules in London
London's Streets By-law S-1 prohibits anyone from obstructing or encumbering a street, and from placing dirt or other material on a street without lawful authority. Work on a street needs a permit from the City Engineer. The by-law defines "road works" to include pavement, curbs and gutters.
What that means for you:
Plan for a drop on your own property.
If there is truly no space on your lot, call the City first (Service London, 519-661-2489) to ask about the boulevard or road allowance. Don't assume it's allowed.
Never leave a pile on the sidewalk.
Step 6: Order the right amount
Ordering too little means a second delivery fee. Ordering far too much leaves a pile on your driveway for weeks. Measure the area (length × width) and decide on depth, then use our material calculators. Our guide to how much topsoil, mulch or gravel you need explains depths for common projects.
Typical uses we see in fall:
Mulch: topping up garden beds and tree rings before winter.
Topsoil: filling low spots, levelling after a pool removal, and prepping for sod or seed. See our topsoil products.
Gravel: driveway top-ups, path bases and drainage stone.
Delivery or pickup?
Some homeowners consider picking up material in a pickup truck or trailer. That can work for a small top-up, but bulk material is heavier than most people expect:
Weight adds up fast. Topsoil and gravel are dense, and a full load can exceed what a half-ton pickup or light trailer should carry. Check your vehicle's payload rating before loading.
Wet material is heavier. Topsoil and mulch absorb water, so a load picked up after rain weighs more.
Multiple trips cost time. A project that needs several yards of material may take many trailer trips, compared with one delivery.
Unloading is manual. A dump truck tips the load in seconds. Shovelling a full pickup bed by hand takes a while.
For most fall projects, such as topping up all your garden beds, levelling a yard after a pool or tree removal, or regravelling a driveway, delivery is faster and safer.
Delivery day checklist
☐ Drop spot marked and tarped
☐ Vehicles moved; driveway and entrance clear
☐ Overhead wires and branches checked
☐ Gates open, pets inside
☐ Septic, weeping bed and sprinkler locations noted
☐ Someone home, or clear instructions left
☐ Wheelbarrow, shovels and rake ready
After the drop: using and storing material
Mulch is easiest to spread right away. Spread it before the first snow so you're not chipping it out of a frozen pile.
Topsoil clumps when wet. On London clay, try to spread it on a dry day, and cover the pile with a tarp if rain is forecast.
Gravel keeps fine, but loose stone on a driveway gets pushed around by snow plows and shovels, so finish and compact it before winter.
Cover any pile you can't use within a day or two. A tarp keeps weed seeds out and stops rain from washing material into drains.
Local angle: delivering across London and area
Driveway layouts vary across our service area. Older central London lots often have narrow side drives and overhead service drops. New subdivisions have short driveways with interlock that was laid recently. Rural properties toward Ilderton, Komoka and Dorchester usually have more room but may have soft shoulders and septic beds near the house. Telling us about your property when you order helps us send the right truck and plan the drop.
FAQ
Can a dump truck drop material on the street in London, Ontario?
London's Streets By-law prohibits placing dirt or other material on a street without lawful authority, and work on a street needs a City permit. Plan to have the load dropped on your own property, and call the City first if that isn't possible.
Will a delivery damage my driveway?
A tarp under the pile helps protect against stains and scrapes. If your driveway is newly paved or laid, ask about dropping in another spot.
How much clearance does a dump truck need?
The box needs overhead space when it lifts. The Electrical Safety Authority says to keep the box and load at least 3 m from energized power lines. Check for wires, branches and eaves before delivery.
Can I leave a pile of topsoil on my lawn?
You can for a short time, but grass under a pile will yellow or die within days. Use a tarp, or drop it on a hard surface if possible.
Do I need to be home for the delivery?
It helps, but it isn't always required. Mark the spot clearly, leave the area clear, and give us instructions when you order.
Order delivery from SPM
SPM Landscape & Excavation has delivered topsoil, mulch and gravel across London and southwestern Ontario since 2006. We are WSIB covered and carry $1 million in liability insurance. Browse our landscape products, call (519) 474-0008 or email spmlandscape@gmail.com.
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