Intro
You found free fill dirt, the dump truck is on its way… and then it gets stuck in your driveway. Or it can't raise its box because of the power lines. Or the driver keeps circling because your lot has no address. At Terreadonner, a Groupe Eazyvrac service, we've seen it all. Our favourite is the customer watching the third load roll in and saying: "Oh my, I didn't think it would be that much!" Good news: almost all of this can be sorted out before the truck shows up. Here are the traps we see most often, and how to avoid them.
Why prepare your lot before the delivery
- A stuck truck is expensive for everyone: lost time for the driver, a torn-up lot for you, and sometimes a tow truck on top of it.
- A cancelled load is dirt that goes somewhere else: the excavator always looks for the most convenient place to dump. If your lot is complicated, it goes to the neighbour.
- Ten minutes of preparation is often enough: a look up, a look down, and a tape measure.
The 8 traps we see most often
1. Power lines above the pile
To dump, the box goes up, and it goes up high. If there are wires above the planned spot, the driver won't be able to dump there. The reflex: before the delivery, look up where you want your pile, and keep a second, wide-open spot in mind.
2. Trees blocking the box
Same thing with branches: if they hang too low, the box can't go up (we tell you about a real case below). The reflex: pick a spot under open sky.
3. A box that isn't lowered
A truck that moves forward or drives off with the box still raised can catch wires, branches or a building. The reflex: keep your distance and watch the manoeuvre until the box is all the way down.
4. Ground that's too soft
A full truck is heavy. On soft ground it sinks in and gets stuck, especially after rain. The lawn that looked solid last week is a lot less solid after two days of showers. The reflex: have the load dumped on a firm surface (driveway, gravel) or at the edge of the lot, then spread it with a wheelbarrow or a small machine. If it poured, it's better to push the delivery back.
5. A driveway that's too narrow
If the driveway isn't wide enough, the truck won't get in, or it gets wedged. The reflex: measure the width of your driveway, move whatever is in the way (cars, bins, toys, trailer) and state the width in your listing.
6. No address, no delivery
Farmland, a field entrance, a new development: often there's no address yet, and the driver keeps circling. The reflex: give clear landmarks (a pin on the map, the colour of the gate, "second entrance after the silo") and stay reachable by phone.
7. Dirt dumped in the wrong place
The pile ends up in front of the garage instead of at the back of the yard, or right at the neighbour's. The reflex: mark the exact spot (stake, cone, ribbon) and, if you can, be there.
8. Too much dirt
The classic trap: you misjudge what you need and end up with a mountain. Getting the surplus hauled away is expensive: in our experience, it can run around $500 per truck. Ouch. The reflex: calculate first. The calculator on our home page gives you the number of loads in seconds, and our article How many loads of fill dirt? walks you through the method.
Always ask what material is coming
Not every dirt does every job. Clay, for example, is good for filling holes, but it drains poorly. You don't want it around the house, near the foundation. Before you accept a load, ask the excavator what type of soil they're hauling. It's up to you to make sure of what you receive.
Where to find dirt (and a truck that fits in your yard)
- Post a request stating the volume, soil type, driveway width and where to dump.
- Browse listings on the map and filter by soil type, volume and distance.
Nearby cities: Montreal · Laval · Longueuil · Châteauguay · Delson · Sainte-Martine · Saint-Lin–Laurentides · Oka
Regulations
- Depending on your municipality, the added thickness and the area covered, a permit may be required. Check with the urban planning department before the delivery.
- On farmland, fill may require an authorization from the CPTAQ, and the soil received must meet the rules of Quebec's Ministry of the Environment (MELCCFP).
- Near power lines, play it safe: if you're unsure about the distance to keep, ask Hydro-Québec.
Terreadonner.com: two simple paths
Receiver
- Free registration.
- Describe your access in your request: driveway width, firm ground or not, wires or trees, landmarks if you have no address.
- You have direct contact with us: we tell you what to watch for before the truck arrives.
- A friendly tip: when an excavator says "I'll be there Tuesday," don't count on it too much. Up to the last minute, they'll look for a spot closer to their job site. Stay flexible and confirm the same day.
- When a truck is looking for a place to dump, we may call you early, as early as 7 a.m. You signed up to get dirt: this is it!
Excavator / Hauler / Landscaper
- Post your surplus (soil type, volume, access, availability).
- Can't get into one of your dump sites? Call us from 6:30 a.m.: we always have a plan B, C, D… all the way to Z, and a big network of receivers.
- We speak your language: volume, soil type, truck access, distance.
A story from the field
A truck arrives at a receiver's place, full and ready to dump. Problem: the trees above the planned spot stop it from raising its box. The driver looks elsewhere on the lot… and in the end, can't dump anywhere. A simple look up before the delivery would have changed everything.
Quick tips
- Look up: wires and branches above the pile.
- Look down: firm or soft? If it rained, wait.
- Measure your driveway and clear it.
- Mark the spot with a stake or a cone.
- Be reachable on delivery day.
- Ask about the soil type: no clay around the house.
- Calculate your volume before you say yes.
FAQ
Can the truck dump on my lawn?
If the ground is firm and dry, often yes. After rain, it may get stuck: better to dump on the driveway or wait.
What if I don't have an address?
Give a pin on the map and visible landmarks, and stay reachable by phone.
I got too much dirt, what do I do?
You can give it away again on Terreadonner, but hauling has a cost. Best to calculate first.
Is clay OK around my house?
No: it drains poorly. Keep it for filling holes away from the foundation.
Will the excavator show up on the planned day?
Not always: they look for the most convenient spot up to the last minute. Stay flexible and confirm the same day.
Conclusion
Most deliveries that go wrong are decided before the truck arrives: a wire, a branch, soft ground, a driveway that's too tight. Ten minutes of preparation, a well-described request, and your dirt lands in the right place the first time. And your neighbour keeps their lawn.