Who to Hire to Fill in an Uneven Lawn and Level Things Out

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

When deciding who to hire to fill in an uneven lawn, start with a local landscaper. These pros assess causes, plan grading solutions, and often handle permitting. Verify experience leveling yards and ask for references and photos so you understand their results and timelines

Benefits of Hiring a Landscaper to Level Your Lawn

Hiring a landscaper saves time, energy, and money compared with DIY. Pros survey your yard, identify the causes of unevenness, and bring the tools to resolve mild to severe issues. You avoid week-long timelines, a grader rental, and permitting headaches while improving curb appeal and lawn safety.

Other benefits of hiring a landscaper to level your lawn include:

• Diagnoses underlying issues such as thatch or tree roots

• Brings grading tools and materials to the site

• Reduces drainage and uneven growth problems

• Saves you from operating heavy equipment

• Improves overall smoothness and safety underfoot

• Coordinates permitting and necessary paperwork

• Finishes faster than five to seven days of DIY

• Minimizes rework and extra costs through experience

If your lawn has significant grading or drainage issues, you might want to consider hiring a landscaper near you to ensure the job is done efficiently and with professional results.

Can I Hire a General Contractor to Fill in an Uneven Lawn?

You can hire a general contractor if they have landscaping experience and proven yard-leveling results. Ask for references and before-and-after photos to confirm quality. Expect $50 to $150 per hour, and request an itemized estimate to align timeline and equipment needs.

How Do Pros Fill in Uneven Lawns?

You can expect the professional landscaper you hire to follow this process for your uneven lawn:

1. Assess the lawn’s orientation and identify causes such as tree roots or thatch buildup.

2. Grade the yard to establish target elevations and workable solutions.

3. For mild unevenness, apply a topsoil and sand mix to fill depressions.

4. For moderate unevenness, add or remove soil with a grading rake.

5. For severe cases, excavate, replace sod, or fully regrade the lawn.

6. Clean up and confirm smooth transitions and evenness across the yard.

How Much Does Filling in an Uneven Lawn Cost?

Homeowners spend $1,000 to $3,350 to level a yard, depending on severity and yard size. A professional charges $50 to $100 to grade. If you use a general contractor, plan for $50 to $150 per hour. DIY efforts can add $550 per day for grader rental, and permitting is around $300 and often included when you hire a landscaper. Severity and scope of soil work or sod replacement drive the final price.