What Is Site Grading?

There’s a ton of work that goes on behind the scenes before new construction begins. Whether you’re building a small home or a large commercial building, the site must first be graded. Site grading involves shaping a piece of property to meet the specifications of the upcoming construction project.

This post from your local earthmoving and grading services will teach you everything you need to know about site grading.

Why is site grading important?

We wouldn’t specialize in site grading if it didn’t have a number of benefits. Here are a few reasons land needs to be graded before construction begins:

• Prepares soil for structure foundation: A construction team can’t just pull up to the property and set to work building a new home or commercial building. Doing so could result in cave-ins or other structural problems if the soil is too soft. Grading the land properly prepares the soil for the structure that’ll soon be erected.
• Ensures proper drainage: Property owners also need to hire earthmoving and grading services to make sure the site will have adequate water drainage. This means the land needs to slope away from the building to prevent water accumulation near the foundation. Improper drainage can also lead to cave-ins and significant property damage.
• Creates the desired landscape aesthetics: Hills, rocks, tree stumps, shrubs and other natural features in a lawn aren’t conducive for constructing a building. Site grading eliminates those features and creates smooth (though gently sloped) terrain for the construction team. Additionally, having the land graded can also make landscaping and lawn care easier once the building is complete.

How is site grading performed?

The first step in site grading is performing tests on the land. These tests will determine the soil composition and the moisture levels in the ground. Having this information allows excavation teams to plan out a proper grade and slope for the property.

Next the site-grading contractor will come in with heavy-duty machinery to perform the actual job. Typical machinery used on these projects includes bulldozers, excavators and then a grader to ensure the lot has an even finish.

How expensive is site grading?

It’d be nice if you could save a few bucks by grading the land by yourself—but that’s not usually an option because the project requires heavy machinery. Grading for a residential lot costs anywhere from $5 to $10 per square foot. However, this depends on the amount of work that needs to be done to the site. If the land is already relatively level, the project can be much cheaper.

Because you’re mitigating damages to your future structure, hiring a professional for site grading pays for itself over time. Additionally, site grading can boost your property’s value because your land and structure will be safe.

Why should I hire Estes Excavating Inc.?

Between fair pricing and thoroughly completed jobs, there aren’t any better earthmoving and grading services in town than Estes Excavating Inc. We guarantee you’ll be satisfied with our work once we’ve completed your site-grading project. We’re a fully licensed and insured grading company, so contact our team today to get an estimate.

Categorised in: Grading Service

This post was written by Writer