Intro
In Sherbrooke, there's digging going on pretty much all the time: home additions, new neighbourhoods, foundations, pools, driveways. Every hole brings up dirt that has to go somewhere. Meanwhile, other property owners are looking for exactly that to level a lot, fill a low spot or raise a corner that sits too low.
Terreadonner, a Groupe Eazyvrac service, brings these two worlds together. Whether you have excavation surplus to place or a lot that could take it, here's how it works in Sherbrooke and the surrounding area.
Why get (or give away) fill dirt in Sherbrooke
For an excavator, every load counts. A dump truck that has to drive far to unload costs time and fuel. Finding a receiving lot close to the job site often makes the difference between a full day and a day lost on the road.
For a property owner, receiving fill can solve a real problem: a sloped lot, a ditch to fill, a corner that stays wet, a future yard to build up. The materials on Terreadonner are fill dirt, blue clay, recycled asphalt, and crushed concrete and rock. You'll also find sand and stone.
A word on clay: it drains poorly. It does the job for filling a hole, but you don't put it around the house.
Where to find fill dirt in Sherbrooke and nearby
Sherbrooke has four boroughs, and requests can come from anywhere:
- Brompton–Rock Forest–Saint-Élie–Deauville, which groups several former sectors, from residential areas to more rural lots.
- Fleurimont, in the east of the city.
- Lennoxville, a full borough of Sherbrooke.
- Les Nations, the central part of the city.
Whether your lot is in town or on the outskirts, what matters is that a truck can get there and dump safely.
Around Sherbrooke, within about 60 km, several Eastern Townships municipalities can also receive or supply dirt: Magog and Orford on the Memphrémagog side, North Hatley, Compton, Waterville and Coaticook to the south, Ascot Corner, East Angus and Cookshire-Eaton to the east, and Stoke, Val-Joli, Windsor and Richmond to the north. The wider your area, the better your chances of a quick match.
Regulations
In Sherbrooke. The City of Sherbrooke's by-law on permits and certificates requires a certificate of authorization for fill and excavation work, with some exceptions (for example, building a street). The by-law also states that excavation and site preparation can only start once the required permit or certificate has been issued. Before having anything delivered, check with the City of Sherbrooke's land planning and management department (urban planning) to find out what applies to your lot. By-laws can change: the City has the final word.
In neighbouring towns. Each municipality has its own rules. Some, like Ascot Corner, have their own application form for fill and excavation. A permit may be required depending on thickness and area; check with your municipality's urban planning department.
Farmland (CPTAQ). If your lot is in an agricultural zone, which can happen on the outskirts of the city and in surrounding towns, fill is governed by the Act respecting the preservation of agricultural land and agricultural activities. An authorization from the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ) may be needed, and it's up to the applicant to show that the project improves the lot's agricultural potential.
Environment. Quebec's Ministry of the Environment (MELCCFP) governs where soil comes from and how it's managed. Remember the basic rule: the receiver makes sure of what they receive, and the sender makes sure of what they send. When in doubt, contact the ministry's regional office before accepting a load.
Terreadonner.com: two simple paths
Receiver
Registration is free. You describe your lot: access, driveway width, whether the ground is firm or not, whether there are power lines or trees in the way. Excavators in your area see your request and can contact you when they have dirt to place near you.
The more precise your description, the fewer surprises on delivery day. If your lot has no address (field entrance, new development), give clear landmarks. To avoid delivery-day traps, read our article Fill Dirt Delivery: 8 Traps to Avoid.
Excavator / Hauler / Landscaper
Post your surplus: soil type, volume, site access, availability. Local receivers can see it. You can also search the lots that can take dirt yourself, and pick the one closest to your job site.
Quick tips
- Look up first. In the Terreadonner team's experience, power lines above the planned spot stop everything: the box goes up and you can't dump there.
- Calculate what you need. The Terreadonner team has seen customers misjudge their needs and end up with too much dirt. Getting it hauled away can cost around $500 per truck in our experience. Our article How many loads of fill dirt? shows you how to calculate.
- Think about the ground. After heavy rain or during the spring thaw, soft ground may not hold a loaded truck.
- Measure the driveway. A dump truck needs room to get in and manoeuvre.
- Stay flexible on the date. Confirm with the excavator the same day.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to receive fill in Sherbrooke?
The City's by-law requires a certificate of authorization for fill and excavation work, with some exceptions. Check with the City's urban planning department before delivery.
Does it cost anything to register as a receiver?
No, registration is free. You describe your lot and excavators in your area see your request.
What materials can I receive?
Fill dirt, blue clay, recycled asphalt, crushed concrete or rock. You'll also find sand and stone.
My lot is in Magog or East Angus, does it still work?
Yes. Excavators working in Sherbrooke often look for lots in the surrounding towns. Just check your own municipality's rules.
Who is responsible for the quality of the dirt?
The receiver makes sure of what they receive and the sender makes sure of what they send. Ask your questions before the first load.
Conclusion
Whether you're in Fleurimont, Rock Forest, Lennoxville or anywhere in the Eastern Townships, chances are a nearby job site has dirt to place, or a nearby lot could take some. Check your municipality's rules, describe your lot or your surplus clearly, and let Terreadonner make the connection.