Can I just do this myself to save money?
If you’re a budget-minded homeowner, you’ve probably asked the question: “Can I just do this mulch job myself instead of hiring someone?”
On the surface, it sounds easy. Buy a few yards of bark mulch, spread it around, and call it a day. But in reality, mulching is a bigger job than most folks expect — and one that comes with a lot of hidden costs if you go the DIY route.
Let’s break down why hiring a professional (like Bark Ridge!) might be the smarter move, even if you’re watching your wallet.
1. Time and Labor: Mulch is Heavier Than It Looks
Each cubic yard of bark mulch weighs about 500–800 pounds. Even if you’re only ordering 3–4 yards, that’s a few thousand pounds of material to move — one wheelbarrow load at a time.
DIY mulch installation takes:
Renting or borrowing a truck or trailer
Loading and unloading mulch (by hand or shovel)
Dozens of trips back and forth to spread it
Cleanup time—because bark ends up everywhere
What sounds like a quick weekend chore often turns into a full-day (or two-day) backbreaker.
We know. We’ve been there. And over time, we’ve acquired the right tools, technique and experience to do the job efficiently and get it right the first time around.
In fact, most Bark Ridge jobs are done in an afternoon — with no mess left behind.
💬 “Spreading 12 yards of mulch by hand in one day? That’s a job for someone who does it for a living.”
2. Avoiding Common DIY Mistakes
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make rookie mistakes when spreading mulch. These can actually cost more to fix later on.
Common errors we see:
Spreading too thin — lets weeds push through and fades faster
Spreading too thick — suffocates plants and holds too much moisture
Piling up against plant stems or tree trunks — which can cause rot or pest problems
A professional knows how to get that perfect 2”–3” coverage across your whole yard and shape the beds so they look polished—not lumpy or uneven.
3. Better tools = cleaner results
At Bark Ridge, we don’t use heavy equipment that can tear up your lawn or garden. Instead, we use hand tools and pro-grade equipment that give you precision and care:
Sharp lawn edger for crisp bed lines
Extra capacity garden cart and pitchfork for efficient spreading
Power blower for cleaning up driveways, walkways, and flower beds
Landscape rakes to detail hard-to-reach areas
You can rent or buy tools to do the job yourself—but by the time you add up those rental costs, you might be surprised how close they are to our full-service price.
4. Protect your plants and landscaping
If you’ve got delicate plants, fresh spring growth, or ornamental landscaping features, mulch installation isn’t just about dumping bark and spreading it around.
One wrong shovel can break a stem. One heavy truck can leave ruts in your grass. One “oops” with bark coverage can bury a plant you meant to showcase.
Professionals (especially one-man crews like Bark Ridge) take the time to work around your landscape—not through it.
5. Bark Ridge Pricing vs. True DIY Costs
Let’s compare apples to apples:
DIY:
$50–60 per yard of mulch (pickup or delivery)
$50–100 truck rental or delivery fee
$20–50 in tool rentals (wheelbarrow, blower, edger)
6–12 hours of your own hard labor
Risk of mistakes, mess, and a sore back
Bark Ridge:
$75 per yard, delivered and spread
Free delivery to Ridgefield, Vancouver, Battle Ground
Professional tools, prep, cleanup, and care included
In most cases, you’re saving just $15–$25 per yard to do it yourself—and giving up your weekend, using up your energy, and not getting pro results.
Final word: work smarter, not harder
You’ve got better things to do than haul mulch all weekend.
At Bark Ridge, we keep things simple: one man, one truck, one honest service. No middlemen, no surprise fees, and no stress.
Whether you’re looking for a one-time mulch upgrade or annual refresh, we’ll help make your yard look its best—with less work for you and more curb appeal for your home.
🛠️ “DIY is great—until it’s not. Let us do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.”
