Frequently Asked Questions

We do. Art Barber Excavating offers professional excavation, grading, trenching, and site prep services. Whether you’re installing a decorative rock driveway or building out a full xeriscape design, we can help handle the heavy lifting.

Decorative rock is extremely durable—it can last decades without fading, breaking down, or needing to be replaced. Unlike mulch, it won’t decompose or blow away in strong desert winds.

Yes—we deliver to Wickenburg and surrounding areas including Congress, Morristown, Aguila, and parts of the Phoenix West Valley. Delivery fees are based on location and load size. Call us for a quick quote.

That depends on your project:

• ½” to ¾” gravel is great for walkways and topdressing.

• 1”–2” rock works well for general landscaping and beds.

• Larger boulders or rip rap are ideal for accent pieces or erosion control.
  We can guide you based on your space and design goals.

Yes! You’re welcome to stop by and pick up your order if you have the right vehicle or trailer for transport. Call ahead and we’ll have your materials ready for fast loading.

Yes. Crushed rock and compactable gravel are great for driveways and parking pads. We recommend using materials like decomposed granite or a base layer of ABC rock for long-lasting results. We can help with grading and prep if needed.

Decorative rock reduces weed growth, especially when installed over weed barrier fabric. While no solution is completely weed-proof, proper site prep and fabric underlayment will drastically cut down on maintenance.

A general rule is:

• 1 ton of 1.5” rock covers about 90–100 square feet at a 2” depth.

• Smaller rock like ½” gravel covers a bit more.
  We can help calculate your total based on square footage and desired depth—just give us a call or use our coverage estimator (coming soon to the site).

We offer a wide selection of rock materials including crushed granite, rip rap, screened gravel, river rock, boulders, and various sizes and colors of landscape rock like Sedona Red, Desert Coral, and Santa Fe Beige. If you’re not sure which type fits your project, we’re happy to help you choose.

Absolutely. Decorative rock is ideal for Wickenburg’s desert climate. It doesn’t require watering, resists erosion, and holds up under the intense Arizona sun. It’s a beautiful, low-maintenance alternative to grass or mulch.

We deliver decorative rock (multiple sizes/colors), decomposed granite (DG), gravel, arena sand, mulch, screened and unscreened fill dirt, plus related excavation and grading services. We’re a local, family-owned team based in Wickenburg.

Measure length × width = square feet, then pick a depth. As a quick rule of thumb at 2″ depth:

½” rock ≈ 100–120 sq ft per ton

¾”–1″ rock ≈ 90–100 sq ft per ton
Use these to estimate, then call us to validate for your specific rock and application.

Minus: lots of fines (can be up to ~80% smaller than the named size); compacts well.

Screened: some fines removed (often ~20–40% fines).

Sized: most fines removed (can still have up to ~15% fines).

Washed: washed to remove fines; most uniform.
We’ll help you pick what fits drainage, dust, and maintenance goals.

Material density varies by rock. Typical guides:

Landscape gravel ≈ 1.25–1.35 tons per cubic yard

Washed gravel ≈ 1.4–1.6 tons per cubic yard

Some decorative stones (e.g., specific ⅜” products) can be ~1.2 tons/yd³. Ask us for the best conversion for your exact rock.

Decorative rock groundcover: commonly ~2″ compacted depth (check HOA specs).

DG pathways/patios: usually 2–3″ of DG placed in thin lifts and compacted; stabilized mixes may need specific depths and methods. We’ll walk you through what your project requires.

Yes. Stabilized DG requires a 3/8″ minus (or 1/4″ minus) aggregate with fines and proper installation in compacted lifts. We can supply materials and advise on specs if your project needs a binder.

Yes—Wickenburg and surrounding communities. Delivery timing depends on location and material availability; same-day or next-day is sometimes possible. Call to confirm your timeline.

Minimums vary by product and route. In Arizona, many suppliers set minimums from ~2–10 tons; heavy loads range roughly 10–25 tons depending on the truck (ten-wheeler vs. transfer/semi). We’ll quote the best option for your address and material.

We’ll place material in a safe, legal, and accessible spot (driveway/inside a wide RV gate, etc.). For safety and property-protection reasons, most suppliers won’t drive across lawns, sidewalks, or over septic systems, and dump-spreading/tailgating is often limited or unavailable. Ask about hand spreading or equipment grading if you want placement beyond the dump pile.

Yes—boulders are available. Crane/fork placement is possible on request and site-conditions permitting. We’ll review access, clearances, and safety before scheduling placement.

Yes. Arizona 811 requires you to have underground utilities marked at least 2 working days before digging (different timelines can apply in multi-residential settings). Always call or submit a ticket before excavation.

In Maricopa County, dust-generating operations that disturb ≥ 0.10 acre typically require a Dust Control Permit, and all sites must follow Rule 310 BMPs. We can coordinate with your GC/PM to support compliance.

⅜”–½” screened: planter beds, top-dress around plants, fine groundcover.

¾”–1″ screened: general yard cover, around hardscapes.

1–3″+ riprap: erosion control, washes, swales (size/specs vary; ADOT uses D50 gradations for design). Ask us for recommendations for your drainage speeds/slopes.

Natural stone color is integral, but dark/black stones can lighten over time under intense UV, water, or chemicals. Proper cleaning (no harsh agents) helps. We’ll suggest durable color families for full-sun sites.

For low-water landscapes, rock is durable and helps manage soil moisture and erosion; it’s long-lasting and low-maintenance. We can mix rock groundcover with plantings for cooler microclimates and curb appeal.

It depends on the application. Fabric can act as a separator and help with weed suppression under loose rock; for compacted minus/DG paths, many pros skip fabric and rely on compaction. We’ll advise per area (beds vs. paths vs. drive).

Absolutely. We’ll match your stucco/stone palette and HOA guidelines with local desert tones and can bring sample images or have you visit to compare options. (See our Decorative Rock selection and local service info.)

Yes—site excavation, driveway grading, brush removal, demolition, septic, DG/road-base prep, and more. One call gets your site ready and your materials delivered by the same local team.

Yes. We stock larger rock suitable for channels, culverts, and wash protection. We can quote by size/gradation and coordinate with your engineer’s ADOT-style D50 or project spec.

Scheduling depends on location, load size, and availability. Some Arizona suppliers run Saturday routes; call us to check current weekend options in Wickenburg.