Use this guide to budget for landscape architect costs based on factors such as services offered, fee structure, project scope, and more.
Who to Hire to Regrade Your Yard: A Complete Guide
A grading contractor is the best pro to regrade your yard, offering erosion and sediment control expertise, proper drainage planning, permits, and finish grading for a durable, safe landscape
Highlights
Regrading protects your home by directing water away and preventing erosion/
Homeowners spend an average of $2,180, with most projects ranging from $1,025 to $3,335.
The total cost varies with yard size, project complexity, permits, and additional work such as drainage systems.
Expect standard projects to take several days, while small areas may finish in a day.
Schedule when the soil is dry—often in the fall—for safer, smoother work.
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This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
If you are deciding who to hire to regrade your yard, start with a grading contractor or excavation company that specializes in land leveling. Look for certification in erosion and sediment control, and confirm the company is licensed, bonded, and insured. Working with a pro ensures proper drainage without erosion from planning through finish grading.
Benefits of Hiring a Grading Contractor for Yard Regrading
Hiring a grading contractor gives you a specialist in land grading and leveling who understands drainage and erosion. These pros shape the soil so water moves away from your home and patio and protect the yard’s integrity, especially near your foundation. When you want the work done safely and correctly, hire the most qualified professional.
Here are some of the top benefits of hiring a grading pro:
Experienced in excavation skills for precise grading
Plans slopes that direct water away from structures
Implements erosion control where conditions require it
Safeguards foundation zones during soil work
Uses equipment suited for efficient soil movement
Places fill dirt and topsoil for a smooth finish
Handles permits for larger or regulated projects
Coordinates irrigation and landscaping after grading
If your yard has persistent drainage issues or the grading project seems complex, consider a grading company near you to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.
Can I Hire a Landscaper for Yard Regrading?
Many landscapers offer grading, but most limit work to finish grading—the top few inches of soil. This method is fine for surface smoothing or small areas where water pools. For deeper cuts and fills, hire a landscaping contractor with full grading capabilities and irrigation installation.
Choose your pro based on the scope. Hire landscapers for shallow, surface-only work, and contractors with excavation expertise for substantial regrading.
How Do Grading Contractors Regrade Yards?
Pros follow a structured plan to correct slope and drainage while limiting erosion:
Survey the property and design the proper slope
Obtain permits for larger projects if required
Clear the landscape in the work area
Excavate soil from the lowest point and move it higher
Shape the slope to match the grading plan
Add fill dirt and topsoil to finish the surface
Install a drainage system if excess water persists
Apply erosion control measures as needed
Optionally install irrigation and new landscaping
How Much Does Yard Regrading Cost?
The average cost to regrade a yard is $2,180, and most projects range from $1,025 to $3,335. Larger yards cost more, and your regrading reason can increase the scope when the work is more complex.
The total price also changes with permits, drainage system installation, and post-grading landscaping. Dry conditions help work proceed efficiently and support a smoother finish.
The homeowners guide to landscape minor grading or resloping services
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