Nothing is more frustrating to your customers than finding out that they’ve ordered too much or not enough product.

• How many tons do I need?
• How many bags should I buy?
• How many square feet will this product cover?

These are the questions that strike fear into the hearts of landscape supply salespeople everywhere. Suggest too little and you’ll see someone coming back in a day or two, likely not in the best of moods. Suggest too much, and you risk being seen as needlessly driving up costs.

And let’s face it: It’s not an easy question to answer! But here’s how you can get closer.

Introducing the WSS Coverage Guide

In general, the ideal coverage for all products, be they Mexican beach pebbles or river rock, comes down to three key questions:

• What product?
• What size?
• How many square feet and at what depth are you installing? 

Mathematically, a coverage question is really a volume question. To determine volume, we need to figure out the space the customer is trying to fill and determine how well the chosen product fills up that space.

But why do math when we can give you a cheat sheet?

By asking these three questions, you can refer to the WSS Coverage Guide to get the most accurate answer. In the Guide you will see you have a chart for some of the most common products, recommended depths and various packaging options. We have even included Cubic Yard and Tonnages for your convenience. 

So the next time you get the dreaded “How much do I need question?” don’t worry. Just refer to the WSS Coverage Guide and feel confident in your recommendation.