Grading Contractor in Kansas City

Why grading matters in Kansas City

Most of the Kansas City metro sits on clay soil that swells when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries out, often with limestone close to the surface. That combination is hard on foundations, driveways and flatwork when the ground isn’t shaped and compacted correctly. Good grading moves water away from your buildings, gives footings and slabs a stable base, and keeps yards from turning into ponds every spring.

Rough grading vs. final grading

Rough grading

Rough grading sets the overall shape of the site. We strip and stockpile topsoil, cut high spots, fill low ones, and bring the ground to the elevations on your plans or survey. Fill is placed in layers and compacted so it doesn’t settle later. On a new home, this is the work that happens before the basement dig and again after backfill.

Final grading

Final grading is the finish work after construction. We shape the ground so it slopes away from the house, smooth the yard for sod or seed, and spread topsoil back over the site. Building code calls for the ground to fall away from the foundation, typically at least six inches over the first ten feet, and we grade to that standard or to your engineer’s plan.

What we grade

• New homes: house pads, rough grade, backfill and final grade for builders and owner-builders
• Subdivisions and commercial sites: lot grading, street and pad elevations, and mass grading on larger projects
• Yard drainage fixes: regrading around existing homes where water sits against the foundation or runs toward the house
• Driveways, shops and outbuildings: level, compacted pads and access drives
• Farm and acreage ground: leveling, terraces and reshaping after clearing

How a grading job works

1. Site visit and plan review. We walk the site, look at your plans or survey, and talk through where water needs to go.
2. Layout. We confirm the elevations and mark the grades before any dirt moves.
3. Cut, fill and compaction. We move dirt to grade, compacting fill in layers.
4. Import or export. If the site is short on dirt or has too much, we haul it in or out with our own trucks.
5. Finish and erosion control. We fine-grade, spread topsoil and put silt fence or other erosion control where it’s needed until grass is established.

What affects the cost of grading

Every site is different, so we price grading after seeing the property. The biggest factors are the size of the area, how much dirt has to move, whether dirt has to be brought in or hauled away, rock that has to be broken, how wet the ground is, and how easy it is for equipment to get in. Many Kansas City-area cities also require a grading or land disturbance permit on larger jobs. We’ll help you figure out whether yours does.

Grading FAQs

Do you do grading for homeowners, or only builders?

Both. We work for home builders and developers, and we also fix drainage and grading problems for homeowners.

My yard holds water after every rain. Can you fix that?

Usually, yes. Most standing water comes from ground that’s flat or sloped the wrong way. We regrade so water moves away from the house and toward a safe outlet, and some sites also need a swale to carry the water off.

Can you bring in fill dirt?

Yes. We import and export dirt as part of grading jobs, so you don’t have to coordinate a separate hauler.

How soon can you start?

It depends on the season and the weather, since clay soil can’t be graded well when it’s saturated. Call us and we’ll give you a realistic timeline.

Call (913) 912-3820 or send us your plans for a free grading estimate anywhere in the Kansas City area.

Related Services

Basement Excavation  ·  Land Clearing  ·  Grading  ·  Mass Grading & Terraces  ·  Building Pads  ·  Gravel Driveways  ·  Rock Breaking  ·  Footing Trenching  ·  Concrete  ·  Retaining Walls  ·  Dirt Hauling  ·  Commercial Site Development  ·  Demolition  ·  Pond Excavation & Construction  ·  All Services  ·  Free Estimate