Minimum Load Size

Minimum Load Requirement: What It Means & Why It Matters

When choosing bulk bark delivery or bark blowing from Aardvark Bark, you’ll see we have a minimum load requirement. We’ve put this policy in place to balance cost, efficiency, and quality. Here’s everything you should know: what a minimum load is, why we require it, how it impacts pricing, and how you can decide if you need a full load or something smaller.

What is a Minimum Load?

A minimum load is the smallest quantity of bark (or bark product) we will deliver under our bulk delivery or blower truck service terms. It ensures the delivery makes sense for both you and us. Below are the key particulars:

  • The minimum load refers to cubic yards of bark we must deliver to a property in order to schedule a delivery or use certain equipment (like a blower truck).

  • If you order less than the minimum, there may be additional fees (small-order surcharge), or we may require you to pay for the minimum anyway, depending on the location and service type.

  • The minimum ensures we can cover travel time, labor, handling, and ensure the delivery is efficient and cost-effective — which helps us keep prices fair for all customers.

Why Aardvark Bark Uses a Minimum Load

Here are the reasons we have this policy in place:

  1. Operational Costs
    Moving bark isn’t just about the material — there’s mileage, fuel, truck maintenance, driver time, loading/unloading, and wear and tear. For small orders, those fixed costs become disproportionately large unless spread across enough material.

  2. Equipment Efficiency
    Bulk trucks, blower trucks, and loaders work best when they’re utilized near their capacity. Delivering very small loads wastes machine and labor time, reduces productivity, and can increase the wear on gear.

  3. Pricing Fairness
    If someone orders just one yard and pays only for that material, the delivery cost per yard would skyrocket for them — or else we’d have to raise the price for everyone. The minimum load helps balance fairness.

  4. Scheduling & Logistics
    We plan routes, allocate staff, and schedule deliveries. Very small, scattered orders create more travel stops, which increase fuel usage, emissions, and time. By having minimum loads, we can group deliveries and plan efficiently.

What is the Minimum Load at Aardvark Bark?

Our Pricing is done on an individual basis. Our minimum load size is priced by area and job complexity. We provide up to 20 yards of material, delivery, blow in service and the clean up after.

How Minimum Load Affects Your Cost

When planning, it’s good to understand how the minimum impacts overall price:

  • Per-yard cost vs. small order premium: Smaller orders often carry a higher price per yard due to fixed costs. Minimum loads help reduce that premium.

  • Delivery fees: Even with a minimum load, distance, access, and terrain affect delivery fees. More remote locations or steep driveways may add extra costs.

  • Flexibility: If you need less than the minimum, sometimes we can partner you with nearby jobs to combine loads or adjust routes so that cost stays reasonable.

What You Can Do If You Don’t Need a Full Minimum Load

If your project is small and you don’t want/need a large amount of bark, here are some strategies:

  1. Share an Order with Neighbors or Nearby Jobs
    If others in your area are also ordering bark, you might be able to combine loads and split costs.

  2. Plan Ahead & Accumulate Demand
    Save up projects (for example, front bed refresh, back garden, or side yard) so you can order more at once and meet the minimum efficiently.

  3. Choose a Smaller Product or Different Material
    Sometimes a smaller bagged product or less refined mulch material (if acceptable) can meet your aesthetic needs without needing bulk minimums.

  4. Request a Special Small Load Quote
    Let us know your site, access, and how much you need — in some cases, we can give you a custom small-order price, adjusting for cost.

Why This Policy Helps You in the Long Run

  • By having minimum load requirements, we’re able to keep prices stable and competitive for all customers in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and throughout the Puget Sound.

  • It allows us to deliver better quality service — well-planned delivery times, reliable schedule, clean installation, and fewer delays.

  • It ensures equipment (our delivery trucks, blower trucks, loaders) is maintained and used efficiently, which supports consistency in bark availability and product quality.

FAQs About Minimum Load

Q: Can I order exactly as much as I need, even if it’s under the minimum?
A: Maybe. We’re often willing to do smaller jobs, but they often come with a surcharge to cover additional cost. If you tell us up front how much you need and where, we can provide an accurate quote.

Q: Does the minimum load change depending on where I live?
A: Yes. Distance from our yard, site accessibility (steep driveways, narrow roads, tight corners), type of service (blower vs. manual spread) — all can affect the minimum.

Q: Will I ever be charged for more bark than I asked for because of minimums?
A: No — we’ll never force you to take or pay for material you don’t want. What happens instead is that we’ll quote you the cost, which includes the minimum if your required quantity is below it. You decide whether to accept the price.

Q: How much material is considered a “minimum load”?
A: The exact number depends on region, service type (blow vs. drop), and job difficulty. We can provide the current minimum cubic yardage for your area if you call or email us; we're happy to give a custom quote.

How to Order with Minimum Load in Mind

Here’s a simple process to help you order effectively:

  1. Measure your area (square feet) and decide on your depth (2-3 inches is common for bark).

  2. Calculate how many cubic yards you need. If that’s below our minimum, compare with the minimum load for your service type.

  3. Ask for a quote: tell us how much you need, the product (fine bark, medium bark, etc.), your address, and any site conditions (steep slope, difficult access, etc.).

  4. We’ll provide a price that shows whether it meets our minimum; if not, we’ll show you what the surcharge or adjustment would be.

  5. Schedule delivery (bulk or blower) based on what makes sense cost-wise and logistically.

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