The Contractor's Guide to Ordering Bulk Rock and Aggregate
By Seth Cvancara, Founder, Mouse Mining LLC. Updated .
Ordering bulk rock and aggregate comes down to four decisions: the right material for the job, the tons you need, a delivered price that includes trucking, and a delivery schedule your crew can hit. Mouse Mining handles all four for contractors across Colorado and five neighboring states, with a 25 ton minimum.
This guide walks through each decision in order. Each section links to a deeper post, so you can jump straight to the question in front of you.
Which rock or aggregate does my job need?
The right material depends on what it has to do. Base layers need a product that compacts, like Class 6 road base. Drainage needs clean, washed rock with open voids, like washed #57 or drain rock. Backfill and grade raises often use pit run or structure fill. Landscape work uses decorative stone.
| Job | Common material | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway or road base | Class 6 road base | Compacts into a firm, load bearing layer |
| French drains and drainage | Washed #57 rock, drain rock | Clean stone lets water move through |
| Bulk backfill and grade raises | Pit run fill | Economical volume fill |
| Fill around foundations and structures | Structure fill | Controlled fill where plans specify it |
| Paths and patios | Crusher fines, squeegee | Packs or settles into a smooth surface |
| Landscape features | Boulders and decorative stone | Color, size and texture |
Plans usually call the material out by spec, not by a trade name, and local names vary from pit to pit. Our post on Class 6 road base vs pit run vs structure fill breaks down the three most common base and fill products.
Browse every product family on our wholesale materials page.
How many tons of material do I need?
Multiply length by width by depth in feet, divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by the material's weight per cubic yard to get tons. Most crushed rock and gravel lands around 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, but the exact factor varies by material, so confirm it before you order.
Our step by step post on how to calculate tons of rock for a project includes a worked example and a depth table.
What does a delivered price include?
A delivered price is one per ton number that covers the material, the trucking to your site, and sales tax. Mouse Mining quotes delivered only, so you do not have to book trucks or add freight yourself. You are billed on actual delivered tons from the scale tickets.
See delivered price vs pit pricing for how the two compare, or request a delivered quote now.
How do I schedule bulk material delivery?
Accept your quote in writing and give at least three days notice with the delivery address and material. Material ships in full truckloads with a 25 ton minimum. That lead time is what keeps trucks on schedule and your crew from waiting on material.
The full sequence is laid out on our how it works page.
Need a delivered price?
Send the material, tonnage and delivery location. 25 ton minimum. Delivering across Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Texas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for bulk rock from Mouse Mining?
Full truckloads with a 25 ton minimum. Mouse Mining is a wholesale supplier for contractors, landscape companies and supply yards.
Can I pick up material at the pit?
No. Every Mouse Mining order is delivered, and the quote is one delivered price that includes trucking.
Where does Mouse Mining deliver?
Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Texas. See the service area page for the cities we serve.
How long is a quote good for?
30 days from the quote date.
Can you quote from my plans?
Yes. Send the spec callout or plan sheet with your request and we will match the material.