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When wondering how to estimate prices for site grading, keep in mind property size is only one factor. The total cost of leveling land is based on many factors, including the following. Some companies price their grading services using a per-acre fee, especially if it’s a multi-acre project. The cost per acre is typically between $15,800 and $44,535, which means around $3,950 to $11,134 to grade ¼ of an acre. DIY yard leveling costs $120 to $280 for tools to level a small area like a walkway or patio by hand.

Another option is to install wooden or metal edging or bracing in areas with new soil. Don’t forget to contact your local utility company and have someone come out to mark your utility lines so that your landscaper doesn’t damage them. Prices vary significantly because some lawns will require retaining walls and others will not. Terracing a backyard is different from grading because portions of the yard need to be raised or lowered to create a step-like landscape. Both sections will then need to be flattened afterward.
Reasons to regrade a yard
Resloping land typically costs $770 to $3,000 for residential projects, including patio, fence, or swimming pool installation. You can pay as little as $310 to level the yard for a small patio or deck. More complex tasks, such as contouring the soil for drainage, can cost up to $6,910. Land grading costs $17,400 to $43,600 per acre, depending on the site conditions, slope steepness, and fill dirt or topsoil needed. The cost to level a 1/4-acre home lot is $4,400 to $10,900.

I would recommend Dirt Connections to anyone looking for fill dirt. They coordinated with our crews to make sure they delivered the dirt we ordered right when we needed it. I needed 25 truck loads of backfill and couldn’t be happier with the experience. I needed fill dirt for repairing some torn up pastures. I got 30 truck loads and Chuck was always responsive and informative about the process and details. If your project is small, you are not likely to need any special equipment but this can be a factor if your project is large-scale.
Slope Inclination
At first glance, land grading may appear to be a purely cosmetic operation to improve the curb appeal of your home. It can, however, be an important part of the landscaping process, whether for your own home or commercial property. With proper grading, you can ensure that you get the right amount of drainage and keep your soil from eroding.
New driveway installation costs $3 to $12 per square foot, without grading. Most homeowners prefer to landscape their yard immediately following a sloping project. Landscaping will add considerable costs, and the average cost to landscape a home is $3,400. However, this varies depending on the size of your lawn, complexity of the landscaping design, and where you live.
Cost of land grading by location
This is called “cut and fill” and requires excavation, a service with an average cost of $60 to $200 per cubic yard of dirt. Prices are higher for steep lots like mountain-side or hillside properties. Each grading project is different in complexity, size, necessary equipment, and hours of labor needed. Additionally, you would need to purchase or rent tools and equipment, and you can run the risk of injury while using heavy equipment you might not be familiar with. A realistic price for DIY grading is around $1,800, while those who work with a pro can expect to pay $2,000 on average. A French drain sits under your exterior landscape to control groundwater and prevent puddling, pooling, and yard flooding.

Sticker shock is a familiar reaction when buyers do the research and discover the true costs of a bargain building site. However, it’s much better to be shocked before you buy than unpleasantly surprised as the bills come in for site improvement costs. I’ve seen many of those guys try to charge 2x’s market cost. They might charge a markup over their regular price for the drive but it’s still often a much lower final price. The highly educated people in this area and lack of tradesmen has led some contractors here charging exorbitant fees.
For example, some will not charge you to remove organic matter or dirt if they can repurpose it. For example, the professional may have other homeowners who want that extra dirt. However, a good rule of thumb is that if the professional needs to have a dump truck at your house, you are likely going to incur a higher cost.

Razing old structures and land grading are considered ordinary land costs and can, in some cases, be part of the land price when buying or selling. The price for grading flat land is typically lower than the cost of leveling terrain on hills or mountains. A stable and durable concrete patio needs sand and crushed stone as a base on a layer of flattened and compacted dirt. If you plan to install a deck or place a patio near the house, this add-on should also slope away from the house to prevent water infiltration. Yard waste, construction waste, and dirt left over from grading and land leveling must be removed from the site.
To bring in professional grading services, the cost will likely range between $1,000 and $5,000. If you are considering getting your land graded, you now have a better idea of what cost you can anticipate. Bear in mind the different factors that will impact your individual cost. You want to make sure you use a reputable landscaper for your land grading needs. A good landscaper will spend a good amount of time strategizing a plan for your particular project. In essence, you want a landscaper that will go through the appropriate steps and phases to get your land level and to prepare it for future work, if applicable.
Builders and home flippers like myself often get a better price by negotiating the price and letting them know if they have good prices I can use them again. Homeowners often have insurance pay the price and this leads to a lack of negotiating. In my area (Sunnyvale, CA – i.e. Silicon Valley) I find some of these estimates are very low. I am pricing out a 2000 sq ft home with 2000 sq ft basement, so 500 sq ft smaller than the estimates here. Similar variations can be found in window prices; Are you going with Anderson, Pella, or another brand. Are you doing basic double hung windows, or do you want to the blinds between the glass, which will double the cost of each window.
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