When grading is done right, everything else falls into place. Your foundation contractor isn’t dealing with standing water or uneven grades. Your builder isn’t calling with drainage problems or access issues. You’re not watching your investment sink into poorly prepared ground.
The difference shows up in what doesn’t happen. No callbacks for settling issues. No expensive fixes when the first heavy storm hits. No delays because someone didn’t think about where the water goes.
You get a site that’s properly prepared for what comes next, with drainage that actually works and grades that meet inspection requirements the first time.
We’ve been moving dirt in Fly Summit and the surrounding area for over 25 years. We know how the soil behaves here, what the winters do to the ground, and how to grade for the drainage patterns that actually work in this part of New York.
We’re a family business where Josh is present on almost every job to ensure quality. This isn’t about being the cheapest option – it’s about being your excavator forever by providing the kind of care and value that builds lasting relationships.
Fly Summit’s terrain means water management is critical, and we know where water wants to go. We work with those natural patterns instead of fighting them.
We start with a site visit to understand your property’s unique challenges – soil conditions, existing slopes, drainage patterns, and what you’re planning to build. Every lot is different, and the approach needs to match.
Next comes the planning phase where we establish proper slopes for drainage, typically a minimum 2% grade away from building areas. We identify and work around utility lines, septic systems, and wells. We prepare stable surfaces for foundations, driveways, and walkways.
The work itself includes rough grading for initial site prep and finish grading for final landscaping. We handle the details that prevent problems later: proper compaction to prevent settling, swales and berms for water management, and transition areas where new grading meets existing ground. These aren’t extras – they’re part of doing the job right.
Ready to get started?
Our grading services cover everything from basic lot preparation to complex drainage solutions. We handle both rough grading for construction phases and finish grading for final landscaping. Rock and ledge are common in Fly Summit, so we come prepared with equipment that can handle it safely and efficiently.
For new construction in Fly Summit, we coordinate with your builder’s timeline and local inspection requirements. We understand frost line depths, soil bearing capacity, and how to prepare sites that will pass inspection the first time.
Weather affects timing since we can’t do quality grading work in wet conditions, but we’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront and keep you updated if anything changes. A simple lot might be done in a day if conditions are right, while more complex jobs with significant elevation changes or drainage problems can take several days.
Grading costs depend on lot size, how much dirt needs to be moved, site access, and soil conditions. A typical residential lot might run anywhere from a few thousand to ten thousand dollars, but every job is different.
Steep lots cost more than relatively flat ones. Rocky soil costs more than sandy soil. Tight access that requires smaller equipment affects pricing too. We provide written estimates after seeing your property and understanding what you need accomplished.
No surprises, no hidden fees – just straightforward pricing for quality work that’s done right the first time.
Rough grading happens early in construction and establishes the basic slopes and elevations for your site. This is when we move the most dirt, create proper drainage patterns, and prepare areas for foundations and utilities.
Finish grading comes later, after construction is complete, and creates the final contours for landscaping, driveways, and walkways. It’s more precise work that gets everything ready for grass, plants, or paving.
Most projects need both phases, and timing depends on your construction schedule and what other contractors are doing. We coordinate with your builder to make sure everything happens when it should.
Drainage is planned from the start, not dealt with when problems show up. We grade excavations to direct water away from foundations and work areas. If we hit groundwater or natural springs, we install temporary pumping or drainage systems to keep the work area dry.
Fly Summit’s terrain means water management is critical – we know where water wants to go and work with those natural patterns. We establish proper slopes, typically a minimum 2% grade away from building areas, and create swales and berms for effective water management.
Poor drainage during grading creates problems that last for decades, so we take the time to do it right. This prevents expensive fixes later when the first heavy storm hits.
Absolutely. We identify and work around utility lines, septic systems, and wells as part of our standard process. Before any work begins, we coordinate with utility marking services to locate underground lines.
For septic systems, we know the local soil conditions, perc rates, and how to design grading that works with your property’s natural drainage patterns without compromising your system’s function.
We’ve been working in Fly Summit long enough to understand the typical utility layouts and common challenges. This local knowledge helps us plan the work to avoid problems and keep your existing systems functioning properly.
Rock and ledge are common in Fly Summit, so we come prepared with equipment that can handle it. Sometimes we can modify the grading slightly to work around smaller rock formations when that makes sense for your project.
When that’s not possible, we have the tools and experience to break through ledge safely and efficiently. We discuss this possibility during the initial site visit and include contingency planning in our estimates.
Our local experience means we can often predict where rock might be encountered based on the terrain and neighboring properties. This helps us plan appropriately and avoid surprises that could delay your project.
A simple lot for new home construction might be done in a day if the existing slopes are reasonable and we’re mainly establishing proper drainage grades. More complex jobs – like lots with significant elevation changes, drainage problems, or multiple building areas – can take several days.
Weather affects timing too, since we can’t do quality grading work in wet conditions. We’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront and keep you updated if anything changes.
For projects requiring both rough and finish grading, there’s usually a gap between phases while other construction work happens. We coordinate with your builder’s schedule to make sure we’re there when you need us, without holding up other trades.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Fly Summit
