Grading and Excavation Contractors Nationwide
Grading, drainage, foundation prep, and earthwork from contractors who own the equipment and know how to use it.
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About Grading & Excavation
Grading and excavation is the foundation of every other improvement you make to a property. Get it wrong and water finds your basement, your driveway washes out, and your new shop sits on a pad that settles unevenly. Get it right and everything you build afterward lasts longer with less maintenance.
Land Stream connects landowners with excavation contractors who handle the full range of dirt work: building pads, drainage, septic installs, basement digs, parking areas, and rough or finish grading on raw acreage.
Whether the project is a single weekend of dozer time or a multi-week site development, you can compare bids from operators who own their equipment and have references on similar work.
Why hire a pro for grading & excavation
Solid foundations
Properly compacted pads keep buildings level for decades.
Drainage that works
Pros shape the ground so water leaves your site instead of pooling on it.
Buildable lots
Rough acreage becomes a buildable site with the right combination of cut, fill, and grading.
Cost-effective dirt management
Experienced operators balance cut and fill on-site instead of hauling expensive material in or out.
Code-compliant work
Many jurisdictions require licensed grading work for permitted construction.
Equipment for the scale
From mini-excavators on residential lots to large dozers on commercial pads.
Grading & Excavation pricing
Excavation is usually billed by the hour for variable jobs and by the cubic yard for known dirt moves. Hourly rates include the machine and the operator.
- Hauling distance for excess material
- Soil type — clay, rock, sand all dig differently
- Access to the site for large equipment
- Compaction and testing requirements
- Weather and ground conditions
Grading & Excavation FAQs
What's the difference between grading and excavation?
Excavation moves dirt; grading shapes the surface. Most jobs involve both — you excavate to remove material, then grade the surface to its final shape.
How much does it cost to grade an acre?
Rough grading runs $1,000 to $3,000 per acre on flat ground. Heavy cut-and-fill or rocky soil can push it past $10,000.
Do I need an engineer?
For permitted construction, yes — most jurisdictions require a stamped grading plan. For ranch maintenance, usually not.
How long does a building pad take?
A typical home pad takes one to three days with the right equipment. Larger commercial pads can take weeks.
When is the best time of year for excavation?
Dry months. Wet ground makes compaction unreliable and turns sites into mud bogs.
Can the contractor handle drainage too?
Most do. Drainage is usually part of the same job — grading without drainage planning is a quick way to end up with standing water.