Cost Per Ton of Decorative Rock in Colorado

Landscape rocks are an aesthetically-pleasing and cost-effective choice for a wide variety of projects, including stone and gravel driveways, patios and walkways, and retaining walls. No matter your landscape design style, there is a landscape stone to fit. Of course, the material is heavy. Most homeowners do not have the equipment to move them themselves. For this reason, it's best to consult a landscaping professional for delivery and installation.

Landscaping rock and stone prices are between $20 and $100 per cubic yard

Average River Rock Prices

Average Cost	$650
High Cost	$1,000
Low Cost	$460

Landscaping Rock & Stone Pricing

Depending on the material you choose, expect to pay between $40 and $800 per ton. Cost factors include color, size, shape and finish. Additionally, you will usually pay less per unit as the quantity increases. Therefore, you can save money by purchasing all you need at one time.

**Landscape Rock Pricing by Type**
Rock Type	Price	Cost Factors
River	$100 - $800 per ton $0.05 - $0.35 per pound	Price depends on size, shape, color, whether the stone is polished
Lava	$75 per ton $75 - $110 per cubic yard $7 per bag	Quantity and location
Decorative	$40 - $500 per ton	Cost varies widely depending on style and import location
Large Boulders	$100 - $600 per ton	Unique colors and shapes cost more
Bull	$37 per cubic yard $4 per bag $2.50 per 5-gallon bucket	Smaller rocks may require edging to stay in place, an added cost
River Rock Gravel	$40 - $45 per ton $30 - $35 per cubic yard $4 - $8 per bag	Add $20 - $50 per ton/cubic yard for colored gravel
Crushed Stone, Rock, Shells	$50 - $65 per ton $40 - $55 per cubic yard	Different finishes can add $20 - $50 per unit
White	$10 - $20 per bag $500 - $1,200 per pallet	Pallets hold 30 - 60 bags, depending on size
Mexican Beach Pebble	$20 - $30 per bag	One of the most expensive types
Granite	$50 - $70 per cubic yard $1 - $4 per bag	Crushed is chunkier and more expensive than decomposed granite
Concrete/Polymer Steps	$100 - $130 each	Large, engineered stepping stones made by Rock Steps. Price depends on size/style

River Rock Prices Per Ton

Costs anywhere between $100 and $800 per ton. If you buy them in smaller quantities, creek rocks sell for $0.05 to $0.35 per pound. Exact costs depend on factors like size, shape, color, and whether the stone is polished.

River bed rock's natural appearance complements other elements of an outdoor living space, like grass, mulch, and wood. You can use creek rock to prevent erosion and assist with drainage in areas prone to collecting water. This type is also relatively affordable.

Riverstones, common in and around ponds or pools, are a type of river rock. Because they are usually larger in size, they cost more each. Price per ton remains the same.

Lava Rock Prices Per Yard

Expect to pay about $75 per ton, or $75 to $110 per cubic yard. For smaller quantities, you'll pay about $7 by the bag. Also known as scoria, lava rock is available in red or black and is lighter than other landscaping rocks, making delivery and installation less timely and more economical.

This material is low-maintenance, and it helps moderate both moisture and temperature. However, it is also inhospitable to plants. Use in decorative areas where foliage is not present.

Cost to Install Landscape Rock

Professional landscaping contractors typically charge $45 to $75 per hour for ground preparation and installation. On average, expect it to take two hours to place one ton of stone, for a total cost of $90 to $150 for labor, not including delivery. Cost to deliver and install rocks averages $300 to $350. Exact costs vary depending on the size of the stones and the type of terrain, and can be as little as $200 or as much as $400.

Consult and Plan Your Garden with a Landscaper

Riprap Costs Estimate Per Ton

Riprap is often sold by the ton at a cost of $35 to $250 per ton. Expect to pay $35 to $100 per ton for small riprap (six inches to two feet). Large ones (two feet or more) cost $50 to $250 per ton. Grouting, in addition to size, is another key factor.

Riprap is a layer of large stones that interlock along sloped land to prevent erosion. It lines the banks of bodies of water. When grouted, cement binds the stones together with a concrete mixture to minimize gaps and shifting.

**Riprap Cost Calculator**
Type	Price Per Square Yard
Non-Grouted	$35 - $50
Grounted	$45 - $60

Laying Riprap

Landscaping pros charge between $45 and $75 per hour to lay riprap. Exact costs will depend on the size and difficulty of the installation. Consult a pro for a quote.

Hire a professional to purchase and delivery riprap

Landscaping Stone Prices

Landscape stepping stones range from $2 to $20 per square foot, depending on the size and type of material. Prefabricated pavers typically cost less than those made of natural stone. For decorative or custom engraved stones, the price may be higher.

**Stepping Stone Price By Type**
Type	Cost Per Square Foot	Cost Factors
Pavers	$2 - $15	Size and material
Flagstone	$15 - $20	Scarcity, volume, shipping, shape and joints

Landscape Rock & Stone Calculator

Calculate how many cubic feet of material you'll need by multiplying the square footage of the area you need to cover by the depth of rock you've chosen. Just remember to convert inches to feet. Then, divide the number by 27 to figure out the cubic yardage.

NOTE: Most landscaping materials should be at a depth of three inches, or a quarter of a foot. The standard, three-inch depth is accounted for in the following chart.

**Sample Landscape Rock Calculations**
Bed Size in Feet	Square Footage	Total Cubic Feet	Total Cubic Yards
2x8	16	4	0.15
5x5	25	6.25	0.23
5x10	50	12.5	0.46
10x10	100	25	0.93

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional for Delivery & Installation

Whether you decide to DIY your project or turn to a pro usually comes down to whether you have the tools, equipment, and experience to complete the task.

For smaller projects, you can usually do the work yourself. Unless you have a truck or trailer equipped to carry heavy loads, the cost of delivering your material in large quantities will range from $50 to $150.

Furthermore, transporting and installing substantial amounts of rock is not only difficult, it's dangerous. Hiring a professional landscaping contractor will ensure the job installation is safe and done at an expert quality standard.

FAQs

Is it cheaper to buy rocks in bulk vs. buying bags?

It is almost always cheaper to buy in bulk, either by the pallet from the home and garden store or by the truckload from a stone or granite fabricator.

How much do rocks and stones cost near me?

Purchasing stones mined close to where you live can save you money because they do not require shipping to your location. In drought-ridden areas like Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico, homeowners source them from the region to use in landscaping to reduce water usage.

What are the pros and cons of landscaping with rocks and stones?

Pros	Cons
No trimming, watering, or fertilizing	Difficult and expensive to install, can sink into soil over time
Available in endless shapes, sizes, colors, finishes, and textures	Rogue stones in the lawn can damage lawn mowers and other equipment; may be dangerous
Don't decompose when exposed to the elements	Stones absorb heat during the day and release it at night; can increase temperature in and around the home
Stand up to heavy use on walkways, driveways, and high-traffic areas	They do not add nutrients to soil necessary for plant growth
Inorganic material does not attract termites or other insects	Cost more up front to purchase and install than other types of mulch

How much does it cost to excavate or remove stones from your yard?

Once installed, the cost to excavate or remove large stones from your property ranges from $50 to $200 per cubic yard. Most companies will charge between $40 and $150 per hour. Some people remove rocks for functional or aesthetic reasons, like to make room for a new pool or patio or to change landscaping by a previous homeowner.

Hire a Landscaper to Install Riverrock and stone

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Cost Per Ton of Decorative Rock in Colorado

Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/landscape/river-rock-stone-prices/