Cost of River Rock for Landscaping
On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Home Services
River rocks are a versatile and aesthetic addition to any landscaping project. Here's a breakdown of costs and factors to help plan your project:
Average River Rock Costs
| Unit | Cost Range |
|------------------|----------------|
| Per Ton | $10–$800 |
| Per Cubic Yard | $3–$220 |
| Per Cubic Foot | $0.05–$0.35 |
Cost Factors
- Type of Rock
-
Prices vary based on rock type (e.g., lava rock, boulders, pebbles).
-
Size
- Rocks range from ½ inch to 36 inches in diameter.
- Smaller rocks may require landscaping fabric, adding to installation costs.
| Size (inches) | Cost/Ton | Cost/Cubic Yard |
|-------------------|---------------|---------------------|
| <1 | $10–$60 | $3–$20 |
| 1 | $50–$100 | $15–$30 |
| 10 | $120–$320 | $35–$90 |
| 36 | $110–$350 | $30–$95 |
- Delivery
-
Costs $200–$600, often bundled with the rock price.
-
Labor
-
Installation costs $50–$150/hour or $25–$100/ton.
-
Location
- Proximity to rock sources and project complexity affect costs.
Costs by Rock Type
| Rock Type | Cost/Ton | Cost/Cubic Yard |
|---------------------|-----------------|---------------------|
| River Rock | $100–$800 | $30–$220 |
| Lava Rock | $80–$240 | $25–$65 |
| Bull Rock | $70–$110 | $20–$30 |
| Pebbles | $50–$65 | $14–$20 |
| Boulders | $100–$600 | $30–$165 |
| Riprap | $35–$250 | $10–$70 |
| Crushed Limestone | $30–$200 | $10–$60 |
| Arizona Rock | $150–$210 | $40–$60 |
| Delaware Rock | $95–$130 | $30–$35 |
| Cherokee Rock | $95–$180 | $30–$50 |
Additional Landscaping Costs
| Add-On | Average Cost |
|--------------------|-------------------|
| Water Elements | $3,400 |
| Xeriscaping | $17,000 |
| Retaining Walls | $6,000 |
| Rock Removal | $40–$100/cubic ft |
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
- DIY Costs: Save $150+ by installing river rocks for small areas.
- Pro Installation: Costs $45–$75/hour for larger or complex installations.
How to Save on River Rock Costs
- Source Locally: Avoid high shipping costs for rare stones.
- Buy in Bulk: Bulk discounts reduce overall costs.
- DIY Installation: Handle smaller projects yourself.
- Seasonal Savings: Schedule projects in the off-season for lower labor rates.
Calculating How Much River Rock You Need
- Measure Area Dimensions:
- Example: 10 ft x 20 ft x 2 inches deep = 400 cubic feet.
- Convert to Cubic Yards:
- 400 ÷ 27 = 14.8 cubic yards.
- Convert to Tons:
- 14.8 x 1.4 = ~20.7 tons.
Plan your project with these insights for a beautifully landscaped yard!
