Land grading: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering land grading

Grading is judged by whether water leaves the site and whether the fill stays put, which makes it a technical trade that customers value when it is explained well. Win the job with a survey, a finished-grade plan and a compaction plan the customer can read.

What customers ask

  • Will the water drain away from my house after you grade?
  • How do you make sure the fill will not settle?
  • Can you keep my topsoil and lawn?
  • Will the grading affect my neighbor's yard?
  • How long will the site be a mess, and what about erosion?
  • Do I need a permit to change the grade?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the land will be used for, where the water currently collects, and whether a building is planned.
  • On site, run a survey or a set of shots on the existing grade, and mark the high and low points before you propose a plan.
  • Show the finished grade on a plan with arrows for water flow and the outlet, so the customer sees the drainage as well as the shape.
  • In the quote, list the cut and fill quantities, the compaction method and the topsoil handling, separately from the drainage features.
  • Explain the erosion control you will use while the site is open, and when the seed or stabilization will go in.
  • Photograph the subgrade and each fill lift before covering it, and share the records with the customer at handoff.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of grading in progress, showing the grade stakes, the compaction work and the finished slopes
  • Survey or plan drawings you can share with customers, with the finished grade noted
  • Equipment you run, such as dozers, excavators, loaders and rollers
  • Your service area and whether you also do site prep, drainage and erosion control

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a settling check and a regrade touch-up after the first season, explained as normal care for new fill
  • Suggest seeding, mulch or erosion blankets for bare areas, with the timing explained
  • Mention drainage or swale work as information if you see water collecting in new low spots

Licenses and permits

Land grading is commonly done under a contractor license in many areas, and grading that changes drainage or supports a structure often needs a permit. Confirm what applies where you work with your state or local licensing agency and local building department, and keep your insurance current, including for property-line work.

Questions

What do I do when the customer wants a grade that sends water to the neighbor?

Decline to create a drainage path onto a neighbor's property, and show the customer a grade that keeps the water on their own lot. Put the decision and your reasons in writing.

Should I test compaction on every lift?

Test the lifts that will carry a structure or a slab, and document the results. For lawns and low-load areas, a visual check and a proof-roll may be enough, so explain the method in the quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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