Mulch Installation Cost Calculator

Mulch installation costs $1.50–$3/sq ft including materials and labor. A 500 sq ft project costs $750–$1,500. Bark mulch costs $25–$45 per cubic yard, wood chips $15–$30, rubber mulch $50–$80, dyed mulch $35–$60. Add $50–$150 for delivery and $0.50–$1/sq ft for ground prep. One cubic yard covers 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep.

Calculate cubic yards: (area in sq ft × depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. For 500 sq ft at 3 inches deep: (500 × 3 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 4.6 cubic yards. Buy 10% extra for settling. Standard depth: 2–3 inches for beds, 3–4 inches for slopes or weed control. One cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2", 108 sq ft at 3", or 81 sq ft at 4".

Bark mulch ($25–$45/cu yd) is most popular — natural look, good moisture retention, lasts 1–2 years. Wood chips ($15–$30) are cheapest but decompose faster. Rubber mulch ($50–$80) lasts 10+ years, no decomposition, safe for playgrounds. Dyed mulch ($35–$60) holds color longer. For gardens use organic (bark/wood), for playgrounds use rubber, for slopes use shredded bark.

Yes, DIY saves 60–70% on labor. Rent truck ($75/day), buy mulch ($25–$45/cu yd for bark), use wheelbarrow and rake. Steps: Remove old mulch, install landscape fabric if desired, spread new mulch 2–3 inches deep, keep 2–3 inches away from plant stems. Takes 4–6 hours for 500 sq ft. Professional installation faster and more even coverage.

Organic mulch (bark, wood chips) lasts 1–2 years before needing refresh. Dyed mulch lasts 2–3 years. Rubber mulch lasts 10+ years. Signs to replace: faded color, decomposed to soil, weeds growing through, depth less than 2 inches. Top-dress with 1–2 inches of new mulch annually instead of full replacement to save money.

Optional but recommended for new beds to prevent weeds. Use commercial-grade woven fabric ($0.10–$0.30/sq ft), not plastic sheeting. Pros: blocks weeds, prevents mulch mixing with soil. Cons: blocks water/nutrients, hard to plant through, adds $50–$150 for 500 sq ft. Skip fabric if amending soil with compost or planting frequently. Use 3–4 inches of mulch alone for good weed control.

Refresh mulch every 1–2 years for organic types. Add 1–2 inches of new mulch annually to maintain 3-inch depth as old mulch decomposes. Full replacement every 3–5 years when old mulch is mostly decomposed. Rubber mulch needs refresh every 10+ years. Check depth in spring — if under 2 inches, add more. Cost to refresh (1 inch): $150–$300 for 500 sq ft.

Best time: late spring (after soil warms, May–June) or fall (September–October). Spring mulching retains moisture, controls weeds, regulates soil temp. Fall mulching protects roots over winter. Avoid mulching in early spring (keeps soil cold, delays plant growth) or mid-summer (wastes money if plants already established). Can mulch year-round if needed for new plantings.