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How Much Does Leveling a Yard Cost?

level backyard cost

A yard costs about $2,000 to level. The cost of leveling a yard depends on the slope, dirt needed, and retaining wall. Costs could be higher depending on how much work you need to do. Leveling services might cost as little as $500 for a yard, patio, or pool area.

Leveling a yard is great, no more lugging the mowers uphill, no more tripping, and you may save your foundation down the road.

How Much Does It Cost to Level a Yard?

This task must be measured in cubic yards because it has three dimensions. Yard regrading costs $15 per cubic yard.

Slope determines how much dirt you need. You'll need more soil to regrade a larger slope.

Dirt costs $400 for a short slope that only requires a few degrees of elevation.Raising the ground 10 degrees or more could cost $1,000 or more.

Hiring a local landscaping grading company ensures you get the right grade. Guessing and regrading can cost $400 per regrade in time and backaches.

Cost to Level by Project

Project Cost
Whole yard $1,000 – $5,000
Pool $200 – $850
Patio or deck $500 – $1,000
Slope removal $1,000 – $5,000

Yard Grading Prices

The cost of grading depends a lot on what you want to do, such as building a patio or a swimming pool.

Here is an overview of typical grading costs:

  • small projects such as grading for a foundation wall, patio, or swimming pool.
  • large projects such as new building leveling, regrading, and grading your entire backyard
  • Approximate grading costs for yard contouring for drainage or slope removal: $1 to $2 per square foot.
  • Fine or finish grading project costs range from $0.40 to $1 for smoothing or leveling the top 1-3 inches of soil.

Yard Leveling and Grading Factors

At the risk of stating the obvious, you are currently engaged in an extensive landscaping project. You might have to clear the land of trees, buy sod, and think about any permits you might need for the project.

Labor

Yard grading labor costs approximately $50 per hour. If the landscaping business you employ must clear the land, excavate any necessary places, and then place dirt, you should expect 12 to 24 hours of labor. This will increase the overall labor cost to approximately $900 on average.

Clearing Land

Trees, boulders, and other landscaping will likely require removal. The cost to clear land is from $750 to $2,300, depending on the number of trees on your property. Rocks also have a role. The average cost to remove a boulder is approximately $900. The cost of having more and larger trees (and people) rises significantly as a result of the rigorous safety precautions required to keep the tree away from structures.

Sod

Unavoidably, leveling will have a negative impact on your lawn. Unless you want your newly leveled yard to resemble a desert, you'll need to install new sod to restore the lawn's level. The cost of sod installation for a complete yard is approximately $1,850, so if you are only resodding a piece, you may pay less.

Another alternative is hydroseeding. Hydroseeding is when grass seed is blended with water and then sprayed over the lawn. Initially, it requires less water and is easier to develop. In addition, you can tailor the seed mixture to the type of lawn you wish to establish, whether in the shade or sun. "

Permits

Grading often necessitates permits and inspections to prevent damage to buried pipes and cables. If they fail, you or your entire street could be left without water or electricity, which is not a great way to win over your neighbors. Permits cost between $100 and $500, depending on your city and county of residence.

Before you move forward, you also need to call your underground utility company so they can mark the wires.

landscaping

Once your yard has been leveled, you may begin landscaping. One of the greatest advantages of removing and leveling land is the opportunity to design your ideal garden. Now is your opportunity if you've always desired a lime tree to harvest fresh limes for Taco Tuesday.

Depending on the size of the project, the average cost of landscaping is approximately $4,000. You can save money on this by planting trees and bushes on your own, but you might want to talk to a landscaper for advice and help with placement.

Retaining Walls

To avoid erosion on steep slopes, a retaining wall may be required. On average, a retaining wall costs approximately $5,350. Although the price is high (no pun intended), it will prevent you from having to level your lawn again within a few months. If you build a retaining wall now, you won't have to tear up your brand-new lawn later.

How Much Does It Cost to Level a Yard Yourself?

DIY yard leveling is possible if you have experience with a grader and the time. Leveling a yard by yourself may be backbreaking labor, and there's no assurance of success because it can shift. You're also interfering with the home's foundation, which can cause complications.

If you're ready, you'll need:

  • $2 for the string level
  • $550 per day in grade
  • Dirt: $15 per cubic yard.
  • Sod costs between $1 and $2 per square foot.
  • $1,200 for a sod cutter
  • Shovel: $8
  • Betsy, $7 for a pack of six
  • Permits: $300

Taking on this project yourself will take five to seven days. An excavator and other heavy machinery can speed up this project. Leave this job to the pros to avoid sunburn and headaches.

FAQs About Leveling a Yard

How do you regrade around the foundation of a home?

Stay four inches below the top of the foundation and the bottom of the siding while regrading around your home's foundation. Too high and heavy rain will enter your home; too low may breed pests.

Why would someone level a yard?

People level their yards for practical and cosmetic reasons. Someone may level their yard to have a flat lawn while you level yours to build a deck.

What is the difference between grading and leveling a yard?

Grading slopes your yard away from your house's foundation. You'll probably recognize this landscaping jargon if you've ever pushed a lawn mower up a steep slope.

Leveling fixes grading problems by making your yard flat and smooth (and easy to push a lawn mower through).