Ottr is a bulk-only operation. We don't sell bagged products. Everything ships loose by the cubic yard via dump truck. The bulk format is what makes our pricing 30–50% cheaper per cubic foot than bagged equivalents at Home Depot or Lowe's.
Why bulk is cheaper than bags
- No bag/packaging cost — plastic bags add ~$0.40–0.80 per cubic foot at retail
- No bag-stacking labor — retailers price in the labor to fill, palletize, and stock individual bags
- Lower transport cost per yard — a dump truck moves 6–14 cubic yards in one trip vs the equivalent ~600 bags
- No 'displayed inventory' overhead — we don't need shelf space rented at a retailer
Cost comparison example (Hemlock Mulch)
| Format | Volume | Cost | Per cubic foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagged at big-box (2 cu ft bags) | 1 cubic yard = 14 bags | ~$70 + tax + driving | ~$2.60 |
| Ottr bulk delivery | 1 cubic yard | $63 (delivered) | ~$2.33 |
| Larger order: 5 cubic yards | = 70 bags | ~$315 bagged + 4 truck trips | ~$2.60 |
| Ottr 5 yard delivery | 5 cy | $315 + 1 delivery fee | Same per-cf cost, ZERO trips, ZERO bag stacking |
When bagged is the right choice (and we'll tell you)
- You need under 1 cubic yard — our minimum is 1 cy. For a small project, bags from a local nursery may make more sense.
- You can't accept a dump truck — if your driveway access genuinely can't fit our truck (under 13.5 ft overhead clearance OR under 10 ft side clearance), bagged is your only option.
- You need to spread over weeks — bulk delivered on day 1 starts compacting; bags can sit until ready.
For everything else, bulk delivery wins. Browse the full catalog to see per-yard pricing.
