How Much Does Decomposed Granite Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $40 - $80
The national average cost for decomposed granite is $60 per ton, and most homeowners pay somewhere between $40 and $80 per ton, depending on the quality and quantity.
Decomposed granite costs around $60 per ton, on average, but you could pay anywhere from $40 to $80 per ton, depending on the size of the particles, the quality of the granite, and the add-ins for stabilization. Natural decomposed granite is the least expensive, while decomposed granite with stabilizers or resin can cost up to $300 per ton.
- Average
- $60
- Low end
- $20
- high end
- $300
Decomposed Granite Cost Factors
How much you’ll pay for decomposed granite—often abbreviated as simply DG—will vary based on several factors.
Size of Particles
Decomposed granite with smaller particles is less expensive than decomposed granite with larger pieces. For the same quality granite, you can expect to pay up to five times more—up to $300 per ton—for larger pieces. Tiny particles including dust will often cost closer to $60 per ton.
If you’re planning on placing down decomposed granite and not using a stabilizer, you’ll need larger particle sizes with the dust sifted out. If you’re using a stabilizer, you’ll want some of that dust mixed in—or all dust—so that the stabilizer has more surface area to adhere to.
Type
There are three types of decomposed granite: natural, DG treated with stabilizer, and DG mixed with resin. Natural DG is the least expensive but the least stable, so it’s not suitable for areas that see heavy rainfall or runoff, or strong winds that could cause the substrate to shift and erode. DG treated with stabilizer is a good alternative for greater longevity, and DG with resin is the most expensive but will stand up to even the most extreme weather.
| Type of Decomposed Granite | Average Cost (Per Ton) |
|---|---|
| Natural DG | $60 |
| DG treated with stabilizer | $185 |
| DG with resin | $225 |
Quality
Unstabilized decomposed granite does not contain binders or additives, making it more susceptible to storm run-off, wind, and impact erosion. Though you’ll pay about half as much for unstabilized decomposed granite as you would for stabilized DG, you’ll end up spending more on replacing sections of your landscape that become eroded over time.
This lower-quality DG is also more likely to get stuck on shoes as you walk on your pathway or patio, where it can accidentally come inside and scratch wood flooring. Choose a higher quality, stabilized DG for better stability and fewer maintenance costs in the long run.
Delivery
Because decomposed granite is heavy—one cubic yard weighs well over a ton—it’s unlikely you’ll be able to bring it home yourself. This means you’ll need to pay delivery costs to get the DG from the quarry or hardscape supply store to your home.
The average delivery cost for DG is $50 to $75 per load. This will vary depending on how much decomposed granite you buy and how far the delivery driver needs to travel.
Labor
On average, you can expect to pay $70 to $80 per hour for professional installation of your decomposed granite and overall landscaping costs. However, most local hardscape contractors won’t charge per hour. Instead, they determine how long it will take to complete your project and then quote you a flat rate.
For entire projects, you’re looking at somewhere around $350 and $800 for the labor, although the total can extend well beyond these numbers in both directions, depending on your specific project.
Site Prep
When considering labor costs, you may also need to think about site preparation and the cost to clear land to make room for your decomposed granite. For example, if you’re installing a new driveway in an area that’s currently overgrown, you need to have that spot cleared and excavated. This could include removing trees and grading uneven terrain.
Assuming you’re building a driveway measuring 10 feet wide by 50 feet long, you could pay $1,500 to $2,000 to level and grade the area. If you need to remove trees, you might pay an extra $200 to $2,000 per tree.
Project Type
Seeing the cost of decomposed granite in terms of tons might not be all that helpful if you don’t know how much DG you need to complete your project. Generally speaking, one ton of decomposed granite will cost around $60 and will cover about 64 square feet at 3 inches deep. You might need to go deeper based on your project.
Here are a few examples of what you may pay for different projects. Keep in mind these prices only include materials or materials, delivery, and installation. Site preparation, such as removing trees or grading uneven terrain, is not included.
| Project (ft) | Material Cost | Total + Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway (50x10) | $800 | $1,750 (6 in deep) |
| Patio (20x20) | $360 | $800 (3 in deep) |
| Walkway (50x3) | $130 | $300 (3 in deep) |
Patio
Patios aren’t designed to hold a lot of weight—it’s mostly people enjoying the outdoors (oh, and furniture to relax in). As such, you only require a depth of 2.5 inches when installing decomposed granite.
Assuming you’re building a patio measuring 10-by-10 feet, you’ll pay $20 on the lower end for materials alone and $130 for materials, delivery, and installation.
Walkway
As walkways see a lot of foot traffic, it’s best to build them with a minimum depth of 3 inches. Assuming you’re building a walkway measuring 4-by-50 feet, you’ll pay $50 on the lower end for materials alone and $300 for materials, delivery, and installation.
Driveway
Driveways must support a lot of weight, most of it coming from vehicles. To stay safe and ensure the best results, you should build a driveway with a minimum depth of 6 inches.
Assuming you’re building a driveway measuring 20-by-24 feet, you’ll pay $230 on the lower end for materials alone and $1,425 on the higher end for materials, delivery, and installation.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Install Decomposed Granite
Installing decomposed granite yourself will save you somewhere between $350 and $800, on average, although it depends on the specific project you have in mind and the size of the area you want covered with the material. While a DIY job is a great way to save some money, it’s not always a good idea. We only recommend considering DIYing this work if you know you want loose decomposed granite and are already working with a perfectly flat space.
Even for simpler jobs on uneven land, like building a small 10-by-10-foot patio, you’ll have to spend hours preparing the site, spreading the DG, compacting the DG, and making sure that everything is level. This is back-breaking work if you intend to do it solely by hand with shovels and wheelbarrows. It’s a more expensive venture if you intend to rent heavy equipment to clear land, spread decomposed gravel, and compact the stone.
While you will save money on the labor, you’ll likely spend more time on the project than a pro would. On top of that, you may lack the skills to prepare the site or finish the project properly for a professional appearance. Ending up with an uneven walkway, for example, will be a nuisance at the least and a fall risk at its worst, so calling up a hardscape pro is usually your best bet.
Cost of Common Decomposed Granite Add-Ons
Elevating your outdoor space with decomposed granite is a great way to boost home value and make your yard more enjoyable. While you’re at it, consider these add-on options to boost your space even further.
Cost to mulch garden beds: $100–$800
Cost to install an outdoor pond: $1,200–$5,500
Cost to install outdoor lighting: $2,000–$6,000
Cost to install a paver patio: $2,400–$7,000
Cost to install a retaining wall: $3,200–$9,200
Cost to level or grade land: $1,000–$3,300
How to Save Money on Decomposed Granite Costs
Decomposed granite is a low-maintenance landscaping option, but it can still get quite expensive, especially for larger projects. Below are some ways you can save on costs.
1. Choose a Color That’s Abundant Locally
Decomposed granite is available in many different shades. Local quarries will often offer the best prices on locally sourced granite, as there are lower transportation costs. Choosing a shade that’s abundantly available locally will cost less than importing a color that may come from many miles away.
2. Buy All Your Decomposed Granite at the Same Time
As most quarries charge a flat rate for delivery based on your location, it makes the most financial sense to buy all the decomposed granite you’ll need for your various projects at the same time. When you do this, you’ll avoid having to pay multiple delivery fees for smaller loads. Make sure to take accurate measurements of your space before ordering to ensure you get the right amount for the coverage you need.
3. Prep Your Area Before Your Decomposed Granite Delivery
If you’re hiring a professional hardscaper for your decomposed granite, you can save a bit of money by taking on a bit of the labor yourself. Specifically, prepping your building site could be a job that requires no particular experience and no more equipment than what you already have in your shed. While grading and sloping land is a job best fit for the pros, you can consider doing other projects, like clearing bushes, cutting down small trees, and removing other obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The depth of your decomposed granite depends on its intended use, but around 3 to 4 inches is the most common depth. Driveways that need to support a lot of weight should be at a depth of no less than 6 inches. Walkways that won’t see a lot of weight but lots of foot traffic should be built at a depth of 3 to 4 inches, and patios should also be between 3 and 4 inches deep.
To determine how much decomposed granite you need for your project, you need to first figure out the square footage of the surface. After that, you need to decide how deep the granite will go. Once you have these figures, you can use an online calculator to convert these measurements to cubic feet, or you can simply multiply the three numbers (in feet) to determine the number of cubic feet of decomposed granite you need. It’s a good idea to get about 5% to 10% more than you need just to be safe.
Because decomposed granite is a durable material, a crushed rock or gravel base is optional as long as the DG is properly installed and compacted. However, installing a base is a good idea because it will ensure proper drainage and stability and act as a weed suppressant (although you may still occasionally have to pull weeds). Installing an adequate base can also increase the durability of driveways and walkways. If you forego the paver base or gravel underneath, line the area with a landscaping fabric to avoid weeds.