How Much Does Decomposed Granite Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

The average cost per ton of decomposed granite is $60, ranging between $20 and $300. Installing decomposed granite on a 400-square-foot area costs between $160 and $900, with most homeowners spending an average of $530. Your costs depend on factors like granite quality, depth of installation, and whether you choose basic or stabilized granite. Hiring a professional ensures safe, proper installation and long-lasting results.

Decomposed Granite Labor Costs

Your decomposed granite project will involve a variety of labor tasks like site preparation, leveling, grading, compacting the granite, and installing edging materials.  

Expect to pay between $70 and $80 per hour for professional installation of your decomposed granite, with total labor costs ranging from $350 to $800. Several professionals will likely be involved in your project, including the following:

Labor costs can vary significantly based on your location—pros in urban areas or regions with higher costs of living may charge more. Additionally, market demand and seasonal factors can influence labor costs. If you have trees or roots in the way, you might have to pay an extra $200 to $2,000 per tree for removal.

Decomposed Granite Cost by Project Type

Your total cost will vary based on the type of decomposed granite project you’re doing. Here are the average costs for several common project types.

Crushed Granite Driveway

Installing a 10-by-50-foot crushed granite driveway costs approximately $1,750 for materials and installation. This assumes a gravel driveway covered to a depth of six inches, adequate for supporting vehicle weight. It should take about two hours to dump and spread the crushed granite. However, this price doesn’t include the labor needed to level and grade your driveway, which costs between $1,500 and $2,000. 

Crushed Granite Patio

The total labor cost of a crushed granite patio is an average of $360, or $800 including labor, assuming a typical 10-by-10-foot patio at three inches deep.

Crushed Granite Walkway

Most busy walkways require three inches of gravel to ensure a comfortable, safe step. The average cost of a walkway is $130, or $300 including labor. The time it takes for a pro to level and prepare the site also contributes to the cost, meaning the project may cost more depending on the landscape.

Decomposed Granite Costs by Measurement

The cost of decomposed granite can be measured by cubic yard, ton, or square foot. These are the cost breakdowns per measurement.

Decomposed Granite Cost per Cubic Yard

You'll pay between $40 and $255 per cubic yard for decomposed granite, depending on the type. Transportation is often the greatest cost variable due to the material's weight. All suppliers charge a fee for moving the granite to your work site, but pricing models vary. Some suppliers charge a flat rate per mile for transportation, while others charge a flat fee per cubic yard within a set service range.

Decomposed Granite Cost per Square Foot

Covering a 20-by-20-foot area (400 square feet) to a depth of six inches with decomposed granite costs between $160 and $900.

Decomposed Granite Cost per Ton

The cost for a ton of basic decomposed granite is $60 on average. A cubic yard of half-inch decomposed granite weighs about three tons, but this weight will decrease as the size of the gravel increases.

Calculate the cost per ton by dividing the cost per cubic yard by the number of tons in a cubic yard. This figure assumes the gravel isn’t compressed, which occurs when the gravel remains in one place for a prolonged period.

Granite Rock Prices by Type

There are three primary types of granite rock, and the type you choose will affect your overall costs.

Natural Decomposed Granite

Natural decomposed granite provides nutrients and drainage for your plants, making it a popular and longer-lasting alternative to mulch. This type of granite costs an average of $60 per ton.

Stabilized Decomposed Granite

Stabilized decomposed granite costs an average of $185 per ton. The price for this type of granite is much higher than that of simple crushed granite because the supplier must add and mix a stabilizing agent with the granite. The granite also requires time to decompose.

Decomposed Granite With Resin

Decomposed granite with resin additives resembles asphalt, and it’s typically the strongest and longest-lasting decomposed granite type. Many people use it for driveways since it doesn’t erode as quickly as other granite types. However, it’s among the most expensive granite types at $225 per ton.

Budgeting for Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite is a cost-effective way to surface your driveway, paths, or garden beds compared to stone pavers or concrete. Here are a few ways to further reduce your project costs when it’s time to call a local granite and paving professional:

• Calculate how much crushed granite you need and purchase it beforehand to reduce labor and transportation costs.

• Choose the right granite for your needs—save the more expensive, durable options like stabilized or resin-coated crushed granite for driveways and paths, and use natural granite where appropriate.

• Hire a decomposed granite professional during the drier summer months for faster installation and lower labor costs.

• Consider how deep your crushed granite needs to be for effectiveness—driveways should be six inches deep, while patios can be just 2.5 to three inches deep.

DIY vs. Hiring a Paving Pro

Tackling a decomposed granite job yourself is physically demanding and time-intensive. While you’ll save on labor costs, you still have to pay for the materials and rent the appropriate equipment to do the job properly. Professional paving contractors have the equipment and experience to use it properly and safely, and hiring a pro ensures durable, long-lasting results for your decomposed granite project.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.