What Is Site Grading and Why Does It Matter?
Site grading is the process of reshaping the elevation of your yard to control the direction surface water flows. Properly graded land slopes away from your home's foundation at a minimum of 6 inches over the first 10 feet — ensuring that rainwater moves away from your structure rather than pooling against it.
In the Lowcountry, grading problems are extremely common. Soil settles over time, landscaping changes the flow of water, and new construction can alter drainage patterns for entire neighborhoods. When the ground slopes toward your foundation instead of away from it — what contractors call "negative grade" — every rainstorm pushes water directly against your foundation wall and into your crawl space.
Site Grading Services We Connect You With
- Foundation perimeter regrading — rebuilding the slope around your home to direct water away from the foundation
- Yard resloping — recontouring large areas of the yard to eliminate flat or negatively sloped sections
- Drainage swale construction — creating grass-lined channels that guide surface water across the property to a safe outlet
- Berm installation — raised earthen ridges that redirect sheet-flow water around structures or property sections
- Topsoil and sod restoration — replenishing disturbed areas with quality topsoil and sod after grading work
Signs Your Yard Needs Regrading
- Ground slopes toward your house rather than away from it
- Water collects against the foundation wall after rain
- Crawl space has moisture issues that worsen after storms
- Soil has settled away from the foundation leaving a gap or depression
- Mulch or topsoil from beds washes toward the house during rain
- Large flat areas of lawn that pool water after storms
Grading Cost in Summerville & Charleston SC
Simple foundation perimeter regrading typically costs $500 to $1,500. Full yard regrading projects involving significant soil movement range from $1,500 to $5,000+ depending on yard size and amount of soil required. Swale construction adds $500 to $2,000 depending on length and complexity. All estimates are free and fixed-price.