• Common Borrow — Mass DOT M1.01.0 spec structural fill for site prep and grading
  • Four cubic yard pile of soil-fill material delivered to a residential driveway in Quincy, Massachusetts
  • Six cubic yard pile of Common Borrow fill delivered to a residential driveway in Bellingham, Massachusetts for a raised vegetable garden build
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Common Borrow

Common Borrow

Mass DOT M1.01.0
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$50.00 /cubic yard
$50.00 /cubic yard
$50.00 Material (1 yd)
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$100.00 Delivery (1 load)
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$3.13 Tax (6.25%)
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$153.13 Estimated Total
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Product Description

Common Borrow — Mass DOT M1.01.0 Structural Fill for Site Prep & Grading

Common Borrow is the spec-name structural fill DPW, DOT, and commercial site contractors order for embankment work, grade-raising, and structural fill under foundations, slabs, and parking lots. Mass DOT M1.01.0 compliant — bank-run earth with controlled stone size, suitable for compaction under engineered loads. Bulk delivery across Greater Boston via tandem dump truck.

At a glance

Material Bank-run / pit-run earth, screened of debris
Spec Mass DOT M1.01.0 Common Borrow
Top size ≤6" stone
Compaction ~95% standard Proctor at optimum moisture
Weight ~2,500–3,000 lbs/yd³ (~1.25–1.5 tons)
Also known as Borrow material, pit run, bank run, structural fill
Sold by The cubic yard, bulk dump truck delivery

What it's good for

  • Embankment and roadway shoulder fill on public-works and DOT projects
  • Structural fill under foundations and slabs for compacted load-bearing base
  • Parking lot and driveway grade-raising when elevation needs to change
  • Backfill behind retaining walls and abutments
  • Bulk site grading for new construction and additions

How much common borrow do I need?

For a 50' × 30' building pad raised 12", plan on about 56 cubic yards of borrow. For a typical residential driveway grade-raise (40' × 12' × 6" deep), you're looking at 9 cubic yards. For retaining wall backfill on a 40' wall × 8' tall × 24" deep, roughly 24 cubic yards.

Rule of thumb: 1 cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3" depth. Order 15–20% extra for compaction losses on structural fill.

How Common Borrow compares

  • vs. Fill Dirt — Same material family. Fill Dirt is the residential listing for grading and landscape projects where Mass DOT spec isn't required. Common Borrow is the spec-compliant grade for public-works, commercial structural fill, and any job where the engineer or DPW requires M1.01.0 compliance.
  • vs. Site Loam (Mass DOT M1.04.0) — Borrow is structural — the bulk material that raises grade and supports loads. Loam goes on top — the topsoil for finish grade, lawn establishment, and landscaping. You typically order both for a complete site-prep job.
  • vs. Dense Pack ¾" to minus — Dense pack is processed gravel for pavement sub-base. Common Borrow is unprocessed structural fill for the volume underneath, then dense pack on top as the engineered sub-base.
  • vs. RCA — Recycled Concrete Aggregate — RCA is recycled concrete aggregate used as sustainable base/sub-base. Common Borrow is virgin earth used as structural fill. Different applications.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Common Borrow and Fill Dirt?
Same material family. Common Borrow is the spec-compliant Mass DOT M1.01.0 grade contractors order by name on public-works and engineered projects. Fill Dirt is the residential listing for the same material when spec compliance isn't required.

Is Common Borrow Mass DOT compliant?
Yes. Our Common Borrow meets Mass DOT M1.01.0 specification for structural fill, including stone size, organic content, and gradation. We can provide tickets and material certifications on request for spec-compliant projects.

What's the maximum stone size?
6 inches per Mass DOT M1.01.0 spec. Larger fragments are screened out at our yard.

Can I use Common Borrow for backfilling a foundation?
Yes — Common Borrow is appropriate for structural backfill around foundations, behind retaining walls, and under slabs when compacted in lifts to engineer-specified density (typically 95% standard Proctor).

How much for a typical grade-raise project?
Depends on area and depth. A 50' × 30' building pad raised 12" needs about 56 yards. Use the rule of 1 yard per 100 sq ft at 3" depth and multiply for thickness.

Do you deliver in the Boston area?
Yes — same-day and next-day bulk delivery across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Plymouth Counties. Tandem-axle dump trucks available for larger loads to job sites.

Same-day and next-day bulk delivery, no minimum order. We run Common Borrow across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Plymouth County daily.

Pair with our Site Loam (M1.04.0) for finish topsoil over the borrow base, or Dense Pack ¾" to minus for engineered sub-base above.

Order Common Borrow today — Mass DOT M1.01.0 structural fill delivered by the truckload across Greater Boston.

Delivery Info

  • Same-day & next-day delivery available — weekends fill fast, order early.
  • Curbside or on-property drop — let us know at checkout.
  • Up to 6 yds per load for dense materials (gravel, soil, rock, sand) — mulch loads carry up to 10 yds. $100 flat rate, no minimum order.
  • Job site delivery available — live load tickets and signed BOLs on request.
  • Questions? Call (617) 645-0987 or see full delivery info →
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