Grading in Lick Springs, NY

Get Your Land Graded Right

Professional site preparation that prevents water problems and creates the perfect foundation for your project.

A yellow bulldozer on a sandy dirt road surrounded by trees, with a dramatic cloudy sky at sunset in the background.
A yellow bulldozer is clearing a dirt path in a forested area, surrounded by tall green trees on both sides under a cloudy sky.

Professional Site Preparation Services

No Water Problems, No Surprises

You get land that drains properly. Water flows away from your foundation instead of pooling around it. Your driveway doesn’t turn into a mud pit every time it rains.

The ground is level where it needs to be level, sloped where it needs to slope. Your contractor can start building on schedule because the site is ready. No delays, no extra costs, no headaches about whether the prep work was done right.

When we finish grading your property, you have a solid foundation for whatever comes next. Whether that’s a new home, addition, or commercial building, the groundwork is set for success.

Lick Springs Excavation Company

We Know This Ground

Emerson Excavating and Trucking has been handling site preparation and grading projects throughout Lick Springs and the surrounding area. We understand how water moves through this terrain and what it takes to create proper drainage.

Our operators know the difference between clay that needs special attention and soil that grades easily. We’ve worked on properties throughout the region, from residential lots to commercial developments.

You’re not getting a crew that learned about your area from Google Maps. You’re getting people who have been moving dirt in Lick Springs long enough to know what works and what doesn’t.

Excavator, bulldozer, and roller on a dirt construction site surrounded by trees, with a colorful sunset sky in the background.

Site Grading Process

Here's How We Grade Your Site

First, we walk your property and assess what needs to happen. We look at drainage patterns, existing slopes, and where water naturally wants to go. We identify any utilities that need to be marked and protected.

Next, we bring in the right equipment for your specific job. We remove topsoil and set it aside for later use. Then we grade the subsoil to create proper drainage away from buildings and toward appropriate outlets.

Finally, we fine-grade the surface and replace topsoil where needed. We make sure water flows where it should and your site is ready for the next phase of construction. You get a clean, properly prepared lot that won’t cause problems down the road.

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Complete Grading Services

What's Included in Professional Grading

You get site evaluation and drainage planning before we move any dirt. We handle utility location and protection so nothing gets damaged during grading. Our service includes rough grading for proper water flow and finish grading for construction readiness.

We manage topsoil preservation and replacement where appropriate. If your project needs additional fill material, we can supply and place it. We also handle any necessary permits and ensure the work meets local code requirements.

The job isn’t finished until water drains properly and your site is ready for construction. We clean up the work area and leave you with a professionally prepared lot that won’t cause headaches later.

A yellow bulldozer with a large metal blade is parked on a dirt path in a forest clearing, surrounded by green trees and a clear sky in the background.

How do you prevent water problems when grading my property?

We start by understanding how water naturally moves across your land. We identify high and low points, existing drainage patterns, and where water needs to go. Then we create slopes that direct water away from buildings and toward appropriate drainage areas like ditches, storm drains, or natural outlets. The key is working with the natural terrain instead of fighting it. We also make sure the finished grade around foundations slopes away at the proper angle to prevent water from pooling against basement walls or crawl spaces.
Rough grading establishes the basic shape and drainage of your site. We move larger amounts of soil to create the overall contours and slopes needed for proper water flow. This gets your lot ready for construction to begin. Finish grading comes later in the process, usually after utilities are installed and before final landscaping. This involves fine-tuning the surface to exact elevations, smoothing out rough spots, and preparing for driveways, walkways, and lawn areas. Most construction projects need both types of grading at different stages.
Most residential grading projects take one to three days, depending on the size of the lot and how much work is needed. A simple lot that just needs minor slope adjustments might be done in a day. Properties that need significant drainage work, fill material, or extensive reshaping can take longer. Weather affects timing too – we can’t do quality grading work in muddy conditions. We’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront and keep you updated if anything changes. The goal is to do it right, not just fast.
We help you understand what permits are needed for your specific project and can assist with the application process. Some grading work requires permits, especially if it involves changing drainage patterns or moving significant amounts of soil. We know the local requirements in Lick Springs and can guide you through the process. For inspections, we make sure our work meets code requirements so you don’t have problems when the inspector comes out. We’ve been through this process many times and can help you avoid common permit issues.
We strip and stockpile good topsoil before we start grading the subsoil underneath. This preserves the valuable growing medium for later use in landscaping areas. Not all soil on a property is worth saving – sometimes the existing topsoil is thin or poor quality. We’ll let you know what you’re working with and recommend whether to reuse existing topsoil or bring in new material. After grading is complete, we spread the saved topsoil in lawn and planting areas. This saves you money compared to buying all new topsoil later.
Yes, but it requires careful planning and execution. We can work around trees you want to preserve, but we need to maintain proper drainage while protecting root systems. Sometimes this means building retaining walls or creating drainage channels that don’t disturb critical root zones. We’ll assess which trees and landscaping can realistically be saved given your grading needs. Some situations require choosing between proper drainage and keeping existing vegetation. We’ll be honest about what’s possible and help you make informed decisions about what to keep and what needs to go.

Other Services we provide in Lick Springs