Full Answer
How much does it cost to level a backyard?
The backyard leveling cost for a 1,000 sq.ft. area ranges from $1,500 to $2,600. Most homeowners pay around $1,800 to regrade a 1,000 sq.ft. yard with a 2-foot slope that needs 5 cubic yards of fill dirt and 10 cubic yards of topsoil added.
How much does it cost to level a slope?
Though, most homeowners pay close to $2,000 to level their yard. But, you could pay more than $6,000, depending on the size of your yard, the quality of the soil, labor costs, the severity of the slope, and more.
How do you level a large yard?
How to level a yard Start by making a plan and measure all the space to ensure you've got the right materials and supplies. Then break up the ground by either mowing or mulching to losen the dirt before adding new topdress to the area. Grading also involves significant post-leveling work, which is generally included in the overall cost of the job.
How much does it cost to build a terraced backyard?
A terraced backyard is a lawn which has been separated into several flat sections of differing heights. The price can vary from $1,000 to $10,000. Most people pay around $3,800 for the entire yard. Prices have extreme variations because some lawns will require retaining walls and others will not.
How much does it cost to level a yard?
The average cost to level a yard is $3,500 for labor and materials such as topsoil. Homeowners spend an average of $6,000 to level a large yard, and small yards cost $2,000. It costs $100 per hour in labor to level a yard.
How long does it take to level a yard?
It can take a few days or up to a week to level a yard. Minimal jobs can be done in as little time as one day. For a large job, you should expect it to take a week.
What is yard leveling?
Yard leveling involves filling in holes, scraping the ground, and preparing it for adding grass seed or sod. This is vital when it comes to prepping the ground for landscaping. A nice looking yard takes a lot of work and maintenance.
Why is it important to level a yard?
It is also important to work on the grade of your yard, to keep water from shedding down into parts of your house’s foundation, which can cause huge problems down the road. Leveling a yard can include removing large root systems from trees, filling in holes, and more.
Why do you need to level your hard?
There are a few reasons you may need to level your hard. The first is having a brand new yard, once a house is built. There will usually be some large holes, debris, such as shrubs and trees, and other things you could come across. All of these things must be worked on before the sod can be laid down.
Why do you need to change the grade of your yard?
In most cases, the grade of the yard may need to be changed, to shed water away from the house. This is very important, to keep water from ruining your foundation. This is the most costly mistake people make since foundation work costs an arm and a leg!
Do you need to level your yard before sod is laid?
Most of the work is in leveling the grade and preparing the yard for sod. You may also need the yard level if your yard has settled over time. This can cause holes in the yard as well as problems with water shedding.
How much does it cost to level a quarter acre yard?
So whereas your neighbor may have paid $1,500 to level their yard, your yard may have a steeper slope and end up paying around $2,000. The average cost to level a quarter-acre yard in these states are: California: $2,000. Colorado: $2,000. Texas: $2,200. Georgia: $2,400.
How much does it cost to raise a slope?
But someone that needs to raise the ground 10 or more degrees may be looking at spending $1,000 and up.
What is yard leveling?
Yard leveling, also known as landscape grading, doesn’t rank as one of the most glamorous home maintenance jobs. But professionals say yard leveling plays a crucial role in maintaining an aesthetically pleasing yard, ensuring stability after landscaping work, and preventing serious damage and costly foundation repair.
How much does it cost to put in fresh sod?
The cost of sod installation for an entire yard is around $1,850, so your price may be lower if you’re only resodding a portion.
How much does it cost to regrade a yard?
Because you will be working with three dimensions rather than just two, you need to measure this job in cubic yards. Expect to pay around $15 per cubic yard when regrading a yard.
How much does landscaping cost?
The cost of landscaping sits at around $4,000, depending on how big of a project you’re looking to do. You can cut down on this cost by planting trees and shrubs yourself, but it still might be worth it to call a landscaper for a consultation who can give pointers and help with placement.
What are the benefits of clearing out land and leveling?
One of the biggest benefits of clearing out land and leveling is that you have a blank slate to create your dream garden. So if you always wanted that lime tree to pick fresh limes for Taco Tuesday, now’s your chance.
How much does it cost to fill dirt?
Fill dirt prices vary by region of the country, but you can expect that the cost of fill dirt per cubic foot to be $8 to $18. The fill dirt cost per yard is $7 to $12. The costs in the table are based on an average fill dirt cost of $12 per cubic foot.
How much does it cost to build a rain garden?
It’s best for yards that don’t have slopes toward the house but accumulate too much standing water after rainfall. Rain gardens are built in a depression that enables water to soak there and be absorbed into the ground. Their placement should be beneath gutter rainspouts or other places where water accumulates. Professional rain garden installation costs up to $10 to $15 per sq. ft., around $500 to $750 for an average project.
How much does it cost to regrade an acre?
If the entire acre (43,560 sq. ft.) needs to be regraded, you can expect to pay between $35,000 and $45,000. For a ¼ acre yard, the regrading yard cost will be between $9,500 and $10,500. Those costs do not include any extra fill dirt that needs to be brought in.
How much does topsoil cost?
After the area is level, the contractor will cover the entire resloped area with about two inches of topsoil. Topsoil cost per yard is between $12 and $55. On average, homeowners will pay $30 per cubic yard. When talking about buying topsoil to fill an area, the terms “yard” and “cubic yard” are used interchangeably because topsoil always fills a three-dimensional area (cubic yard) and not a two-dimensional area (yard). One cubic yard of topsoil weighs about one ton, so topsoil cost per ton is between $12 and $55. The cost of topsoil per cubic yard does not typically include delivery. In most parts of the country, homeowners should count on delivery charges doubling the final cost.
What type of soil is easier to move?
Soils that are packed and rocky take longer to excavate than loose, loamy soil that’s easier and lighter to move. When the yard is level, landscapers add a layer of nutrient-rich topsoil over the fill dirt. Your landscaper will then finish the area with sod or other landscaping design.
What is resloping a yard?
Many terms are used to refer to resloping. This is simply moving dirt from one area of your yard to another or removing it entirely. Most of the time when you’re resloping for landscaping, your reasons for doing so are cosmetic so that the shape of your yard works with your desired design.
How to control erosion?
Plants are one of the best ways to control erosion because thick foliage provides a blanket to diffuse water droplets at the soil surface. Instead of roughly knocking the soil down, leaves disperse rain more gently. The best plants for this purpose include ground cover like Creeping Juniper and shrubs such as Forsythia. Homeowners should ask their landscapers about either of these options. The cost of planting shrubs or ground cover varies depending on the species and the area to be planted. Homeowners can expect to pay between $20 and $100 for two to three sq. ft. of Forsythia or Creeping Juniper.
How much does it cost to level a yard?
Most homeowners pay roughly $1,961 to level their yards. This price increases and decreases based on the severity of existing slopes. Several factors affect this amount. One is the amount of fill dirt required. Most locations sell it per cubic yard with an average of $15. Landscapers also charge different hourly rates, starting at $50 per hour.
How much does it cost to fill a yard of dirt?
Fill dirt is extremely inexpensive. People can purchase a cubic inch for $0.0001 each, or less than a penny. Individuals measure slopes by cubic inch and then convert the number to cubic yards to discover how much filling they need. One cubic yard is 46,656 inches. Enough dirt to fill one cubic yard ranges in price from $8 to $15.
What is grading a yard?
Grading a yard is the process of leveling the area. Some homeowners can DIY this project but amateur landscapers should be aware of the risks and costs.
How much does it cost to excavate a house?
The overall cost of excavation varies by location.The average cost for work is $2,700, but most homeowners will pay between $400 and $1,000. Most excavators charge between $0.20 and $0.30 per square foot and add the price to their professional estimate.
How much does it cost to reslop a lawn?
Resloping a lawn requires reshaping the existing earth. The average cost is between $1,965 with a typical range between $969 and $2,989. The cost to hire a landscaper for labor falls between $50 and $100. Fill dirt is priced at about $15 per cubic yard and required to fill in the slope. People change the slope of their lawns for many reasons.
What is the difference between a shallow slope and a deep slope?
The amount of resloping required is based on the existing yard's gradient. Shallow slopes have low gradients and require fewer materials. A deep slope has a large gradient and needs more fill dirt and labor .
How much does a soil test cost?
It's important to figure out the quality of pre-existing soil so the resloped area matches the growth rate and health of the entire yard. Soil tests cost between $700 and $1,800 when done by a pro.
How much does it cost to level a yard?
LawnSite.com shows the price for the job ranges anywhere from $14 to $30 per yard, but this estimate does not include the fill dirt that will be used to level the yard.
How much does it cost to build a rain garden?
These gardens are designed to hold the water and reabsorb into the ground. If you were to consider building one, the materials would cost $3 to $5 per square feet, according to the website.
What is yard grading?
Leveling a yard, often referred to as yard grading, will be performed to remove lumps, bumps and unsightly hills in a yard, creating a level surface. Oftentimes, this unlevel surface can create serious foundation damage because the yard isn’t draining the way it should. The price for leveling a yard depends on several factors such as ...
How much does a scraper cost?
If you already have a tractor, a scraper attachment can cost $50 to $80 per day, whereas a small backhoe can cost $100 to $250 per day, depending on the size and where you live. If hiring a professional, consider getting multiple quotes from contractors on HomeAdvisor.com.
How much does it cost to add soil braces?
When adding soil, contractors will add metal braces if the sloping is at risk of erosion. These braces can cost $10 to $20 per four-foot section.
How much does it cost to dig a French drain?
In some circumstances, a French drain may be needed to take the water away from the foundation. These drains, once dug and buried, can cost $800 to $1,500. Depending on where you live and how large the job is, a grading permit may be required, which can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000, depending on the scope of the project.
How much does it cost to install sod?
Sod, on average, can cost $1 per square foot to have professionally installed. In the initial quote, the fill dirt may not be included, only the leveling. The price for the dirt ranges from $8 to $20+ per cubic yard, depending on where you live. For every 1,000 square feet, you need about 10 cubic yards of soil.
Why level your backyard?
Leveling your backyard can increase its overall appearance, reduce potential accidents and foundation costs, as well as making it suitable for structures and activities.
How to determine where your backyard needs the most help in terms of hills and divots?
The easiest way to determine where your backyard needs the most help in terms of hills and divots is to start by mowing it relatively short. If you want to save as much grass on your lawn as possible, don’t overcut your grass for this step. If you cut it too short, your grass might dry out quickly and die.
What is a divot in lawn?
A divot is a sunken area of your lawn that dips more than two inches below the rest of its surroundings.
What is thatch in lawn?
For those of you who aren’t sure, thatch is a layer of living and dead plant matter that accumulates on your lawn around the base of your grass.
What to use to remove hills in lawn?
If you have hills in your lawn or sections that are slightly higher than the majority of the surrounding property, it is easier to use a shovel and rake to remove the top layers of these hills and bring them down than to raise the surrounding ground up.
How to get rid of a sagging lawn?
Using a level head rake, even out the topsoil. Then, using a lawn roller, a tamper, or your feet, pound down on the soil to be more compact.
Why slope a house?
Additionally, a proper slope keeps excessive amounts of water away from your home’s foundation, preventing significant water damage that could be costly to repair.