Mulch & Stuff FAQ – Delivery, Pickup, and Landscaping Material Questions (Ormond Beach, FL)

Mulch & Stuff FAQ – Delivery, Pickup, and Landscaping Material Questions (Ormond Beach, FL)

This Master FAQ page covers delivery, pickup, materials, equipment and loading, sales policies, product-specific questions, Marketplace behavior, and calculator & yardage topics for Mulch and Stuff by Smart Choice in Ormond Beach, Florida. If you live in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, Bunnell, or anywhere in Volusia and Flagler Counties, this page is designed to answer the most common questions we receive before, during, and after your order.

Mulch and Stuff by Smart Choice is a local, veteran-owned and operated landscape materials yard led by a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. The same core values we lived in uniform—integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do—guide how we measure every yard, schedule every delivery, and take care of our customers across Volusia and Flagler Counties.

Delivery FAQs

These questions cover how our bulk mulch, decorative rock and aggregates, sand, and soil & fill dirt are delivered, where we can dump the material, and what to expect on delivery day. For full details, always refer to our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies.

How do I place an order for delivery?

You can order delivery three ways:

  1. Online: Use our product and collection pages (for example, the Premium Mulch Collection) to choose your material, select delivery, and checkout.
  2. By phone or form: Use the contact information on our Contact Mulch and Stuff page to reach us directly.
  3. In person: Visit our yard at 760 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 to select materials and schedule delivery on the spot.

Online orders allow you to request a preferred delivery date range. We confirm the actual delivery date and approximate time window based on routing and truck availability, as described in our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies.

How are delivery fees calculated?

Delivery fees are based on distance from our yard, estimated drive time, and the equipment required (dump trailer vs. larger truck or multiple trips). Our website and Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies page outline typical fee structures for local deliveries in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, and Bunnell.

For complex jobs (multiple loads, long distances, gated communities, or restricted access), we may quote delivery manually so the price is fair to you and to our drivers. If you have questions, visit our Contact page to reach us before ordering.

Can your driver dump material anywhere on my property?

Our drivers always try to place material where you prefer, but safety comes first. Trucks and trailers must stay on pavement or other hard, stable surfaces that can support the weight.

  • We avoid low overhead wires, trees, and tight turns that may damage equipment.
  • We cannot drive on soft lawns or areas likely to sink or rut.
  • The driver has final say on where it is safe to dump, per our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies.

If your preferred spot is not safe, the driver will dump in the closest safe and accessible location to protect your property and our equipment. If you have a challenging site, please contact us ahead of time.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

Not always. You do not need to be home if:

  • The material is paid for in advance.
  • You clearly mark or describe the dump location in your order notes or via our Contact page.
  • There are no gate codes or HOA rules that require your presence.

If we are unsure about access or placement, we may call you before dumping so there are no surprises. Specific details about access, drive surfaces, and obstacles are covered in our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies.

What happens if weather is bad on my delivery day?

Heavy rain, lightning, or extremely soft ground can make it unsafe to deliver and dump bulk material. If weather is an issue, we will contact you to adjust the timing or reschedule to the next available slot.

If you see bad weather approaching and want to check on your delivery, please visit our Contact Mulch and Stuff page and reach out so we can coordinate with you.

Pickup FAQs

These FAQs cover bringing your own truck or trailer to our Ormond Beach yard, having us load you with our full 1.0 cubic yard bucket, and hauling your mulch, rock & aggregates, sand, or soil and fill dirt back to your job site safely.

Can you load my pickup truck or utility trailer?

Yes. We load pickups, landscape trailers, and utility trailers every day. Our loader operator will ask what you are purchasing (for example, mulch, river rock, sand, or topsoil) and how much your vehicle can safely handle.

It is your responsibility to know your truck or trailer’s weight and volume limits, especially for heavier materials like rock, sand, and paver base. If you are unsure, please contact us before you arrive.

What if my truck bed is narrow or I have a toolbox installed?

If our 1.0 cubic yard loader bucket is wider than your bed, or a toolbox reduces the opening, we will:

  • Discuss how much material you want to carry.
  • Use partial scoops or a smaller loader if available.
  • Load slowly and carefully to avoid damage.

In some situations we may recommend delivery instead of pickup if we cannot safely load the amount you need. You can always review our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies or contact us to discuss options.

Can I get multiple materials in the same truck or trailer?

Sometimes. We cannot mix bulk mulch, rock, sand, and soil in one loader bucket or dump trailer without cross-contamination, but you may:

  • Use tarps or plywood dividers in your own truck or trailer.
  • Do separate trips if you need clean separation of materials such as mulch and rock.
  • Combine bagged products, edging, fabric & accessories with bulk material.

If you plan to pick up several different materials, feel free to contact us ahead of time so we can suggest the most efficient approach.

Do I need to cover the load for the drive home?

In most cases, yes. Florida law requires loads to be secure and not blowing or spilling onto the roadway. We strongly recommend bringing:

  • A tarp that fully covers the load of mulch, rock, sand, or soil.
  • Straps or rope to secure the tarp and any loose items.

If you have questions about how much material your vehicle can safely handle or how best to secure the load, please reach out before you arrive.

Materials FAQs

These FAQs help you understand how much coverage to expect from a cubic yard of mulch, decorative rock, sand, or soil & fill dirt, and how to choose the right product for your project. For precise calculations, use our Cubic Yard Calculator & Materials Guide.

How much mulch does one cubic yard cover?

As a general rule of thumb:

  • 1 cubic yard of mulch covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep.
  • At 2 inches deep, coverage is roughly 150 square feet.

For flower beds and around trees, 2–3 inches is typical. For new installations or weed suppression, 3 inches is often recommended. To dial in your project, use our Cubic Yard Calculator when ordering from our Premium Mulch Collection.

How much decorative rock does one cubic yard cover?

Coverage depends on rock size, but a good starting estimate is:

  • 1 cubic yard covers roughly 80–100 square feet at about 2–3 inches deep.

Larger 1"–1½" river rock will cover on the lower end of that range because of the air gaps between stones. For river rock and other stone options, browse our Decorative Rock & Aggregates Collection and use the Cubic Yard Calculator to size your order.

Is your coarse sand safe for horticulture and landscaping uses?

Our coarse and mason sands are commonly used for landscaping, leveling, paver projects, and certain turf and horticulture applications. Many customers use products from our Sand Collection for lawn and garden projects.

As with any sand or aggregate, you should match the product to the specification for your project. If you have a detailed spec sheet for your grass, plants, or soil mix, please contact us so we can help determine whether our sand is appropriate for that use.

Do you carry “playground mulch” or mulch for schools?

We occasionally receive calls from nursery schools and other institutions asking for “playground mulch.” Requirements can vary depending on safety ratings and fall-height standards.

Our Premium Mulch Collection includes several products that may be suitable for certain playground or play area applications, depending on the specification. If you have a written specification from the school, city, or manufacturer, please share it with us so we can determine whether our products meet that requirement or suggest an alternative.

Equipment & Loading FAQs

These questions explain our full 1.0 cubic yard loader bucket, how we measure a “yard,” and how we protect your vehicle while loading. For more on our honesty and measurement philosophy, visit our About – Veteran-Owned Landscaping Materials page.

Do you really use a full 1.0 cubic yard loader bucket?

Yes. Our primary CAT loader bucket is a true 1.0 cubic yard bucket. When we say “one yard,” we mean an honest, full yard of material.

Some competitors use smaller buckets (for example 0.75 yard) and still call each scoop “a yard.” Our full-yard bucket is a core part of our brand promise and why many customers tell us they get more material per dollar from Mulch and Stuff. You can read more about our full-yard honesty on our About (Veteran-Owned) page.

What do you do if the full bucket is too large for my vehicle?

If a full 1-yard bucket is too wide or too tall for your bed or trailer, we can:

  • Use partial scoops.
  • Feather the bucket slowly while watching for clearance.
  • Work together with you to load in multiple lighter scoops.

Safety and protecting your vehicle come first. If we do not believe we can load safely, we may suggest delivery instead. For more on delivery options and limitations, see our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies or contact us to discuss your specific vehicle and project.

Sales & Payment Policies

These FAQs cover how we handle payment, sales tax, changes or cancellations, and special situations for bulk orders of mulch, rock & aggregates, sand, soil, and paver base materials.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept major credit and debit cards and certain electronic payments. Some in-yard transactions may also be paid in cash. Online orders are paid through our secure website checkout using the product and collection pages such as:

For larger commercial or repeat customers, visit our Contact page if you have questions about payment options or invoicing.

Do you charge sales tax on materials and delivery?

Yes. Florida sales tax is collected on taxable materials and delivery fees where applicable, in accordance with state and local regulations. This applies to bulk orders placed through our collections (such as mulch, rock & aggregates, and sand) and to delivery fees described in our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies.

If you are tax-exempt, provide a valid Florida resale or exemption certificate before we process payment so we can apply it correctly. If you need to submit or update your certificate, please contact us.

Can I change or cancel my order after it is scheduled?

We understand that plans change. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to change materials or reschedule a delivery. The earlier you reach out, the easier it is for us to adjust routing.

Changes requested well in advance are usually easy to accommodate. If the truck is already loaded or on the way, changes may be limited and could involve a rescheduling or return-trip fee as outlined in our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies. To request a change, please use the contact information on our Contact page.

Product-Specific FAQs

These FAQs address our Alpha Edge landscape edging, weed barrier fabric, staples, and related accessories, and how to combine them with bulk deliveries of mulch, rock, or soil.

How is your Alpha Edge landscape edging installed if it doesn’t use stakes?

Installation of Alpha Edge is straightforward:

  1. Use a flat shovel or edger to dig a narrow trench the width of the edging base.
  2. Place the edging into the trench at your desired depth and alignment.
  3. Backfill and tamp soil, rock, or mulch on both sides to lock it in place.

The weight and pressure of material on each side of the edging holds it firmly without separate stakes. You can browse Alpha Edge and compatible connectors in our Landscape Edging, Fabric & Accessories Collection.

How many weed barrier staples do I need?

A practical starting point is:

  • One staple every 12–18 inches along seams and edges.
  • Extra staples around corners, curves, slopes, and high-traffic areas.

For example, a 50-foot run of fabric may use 35–50 staples depending on wind exposure, soil conditions, and how flat the ground is. When you order weed barrier from our Edging & Fabric Collection, our calculator tools and yard staff can help you round up to the nearest convenient staple quantity.

Can I add edging and fabric to a bulk delivery?

Yes. This is often the most efficient way to get everything to your site at once. We typically:

  • Load bulk material (such as mulch or rock) in the dump trailer.
  • Carry edging, fabric, and staples from our Edging & Fabric Collection in the truck bed or tool area where they stay clean and dry.

When you plan a bulk mulch or rock delivery, consider adding Alpha Edge edging, weed barrier fabric, and staples to the same order. If you have a large project or special handling needs, please contact us so we can plan the best way to load and deliver everything together.

What are the delivery fees for small edging or fabric orders?

Standard delivery fees generally apply even if you are only ordering edging or fabric, because the truck and driver time are the same whether we deliver a small order or a full load. Delivery fees are outlined in our Delivery Terms, Fees & Policies.

For very large edging orders (for example pallet-level quantities that require extra manual offloading or multiple trips), we may quote an additional handling or delivery charge to cover the extra labor and time. If you are planning a big project using products from our Edging, Fabric & Accessories Collection, please reach out before placing your order.

Marketplace & Customer Behavior FAQs

These FAQs reflect common questions and messages we see on Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms about pricing, “deals,” and how our full 1.0 cubic yard bucket compares to smaller “loads” sold elsewhere. Many of these questions relate to products in our mulch, rock & aggregates, sand, and soil & fill dirt collections.

Why is the price already in the listing, but people still ask “How much?”

On platforms like Marketplace, people scroll quickly and many send a price question without reading the full description. To keep things simple and consistent, we:

  • List the price clearly in the ad and on our website collections such as Premium Mulch and Decorative Rock & Aggregates.
  • Reply with the same price that is posted, plus any applicable delivery or tax details.

If you have questions about what is included in the price or the size of the “yard,” we are happy to explain how our full 1.0 cubic yard loader bucket works. You can also read about our veteran-owned, full-yard honesty on our About (Veteran-Owned) page.

“What kind of deal can you give me?”

We price our materials honestly, using a full 1.0 cubic yard loader bucket, rather than discounting a partial yard and calling it “a load.” In other words, our “deal” is that you receive the material you paid for at an honest measurement when you buy from our mulch, rock & aggregate, sand, and soil collections.

For larger contractor or multi-load projects, we are always willing to talk through true cost per yard, delivery efficiency, and overall value compared with higher-priced or short-loaded alternatives. If you are planning a larger project, please contact us so we can review your material list and delivery options.

Calculator & Yardage FAQs

These FAQs explain how to estimate the amount of material you need and how our online Cubic Yard Calculator & Materials Guide supports projects using our mulch, rock & aggregates, sand, and soil & fill dirt.

How do I figure out how many cubic yards I need?

The basic formula is:

  • Measure the length and width of the area (in feet).
  • Decide on your desired depth (in inches).
  • Use our Cubic Yard Calculator to convert square feet and depth into yards.

Our calculator is designed to help customers in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, Bunnell, and surrounding areas quickly estimate how many yards to order for local projects. You can access it at any time from the Cubic Yard Calculator & Materials Guide page: https://mulchandstuff.com/pages/cubic-yard-calculator-mulch-rock-soil.

Why does your calculator sometimes suggest a little more than my own math?

We intentionally round up slightly in many cases to help you avoid coming up short. Real-world beds are rarely perfect rectangles, depths are rarely perfectly uniform, and some settling is normal. A small buffer can prevent the need for a second trip or another delivery fee.

If you are close to a full-yard break point when ordering from our mulch, rock & aggregate, sand, or soil & fill dirt collections, you can always contact us and talk through whether it makes sense to stay at the lower quantity or add that extra yard as a buffer.