You know that sinking feeling when you see water pooling where it shouldn’t be. Maybe it’s collecting against your foundation after every storm, or your yard turns into a swamp that takes days to dry out. That’s what happens when grading isn’t done right the first time.
Proper grading creates the right slope to direct water safely away from your home and structures. We’re talking about a 5% grade – roughly six inches of fall for every ten feet – that guides water where you want it to go instead of where it causes problems.
When we’re done, your property drains properly after every storm. No more waiting for soggy areas to dry before you can mow. No more worrying about water seeping into your basement or causing foundation issues down the line. Just a clean, stable site that’s ready for whatever you’re building next.
We’ve been serving Holcombville, NY and the surrounding area since 1997. We started as a logging business and transitioned to full-time excavation in 2020, with Josh’s son joining as a partner in 2022 to keep this a true family operation.
Here’s what makes us different: Josh is present on almost every job. You’re not getting a crew that shows up and hopes for the best – you’re getting an owner who’s invested in making sure your grading is done right. We know Saratoga County’s clay soil and how it behaves, and we grade accordingly for lasting results.
We’ve seen too many properties where someone just pushed dirt around and called it grading. That’s not what we do. We create proper drainage patterns, establish the right slopes, and make sure your site is ready for construction, landscaping, or whatever comes next.
First, we walk your property and assess what needs to happen. We look at existing drainage patterns, soil conditions, and where water needs to go. If you’re planning construction, we coordinate the timeline with your building schedule.
Next comes the actual grading work. We use modern excavators and GPS technology to create precise slopes and proper compaction. This isn’t guesswork – we hit the exact grades needed to move water away from critical areas like your foundation.
We handle all debris removal as part of the service. Trees and brush get chipped for mulch or taken to approved disposal facilities. Stumps are ground below grade so they won’t interfere with construction or landscaping. When we leave, you’re looking at a clean site that’s ready for the next phase of your project.
The final step is making sure everything drains properly. We test water flow patterns and make any adjustments needed. You get a site that works the way it’s supposed to, with proper drainage that protects your investment for years to come.
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Professional grading in Holcombville, NY means understanding local conditions. We know the area’s soil types, seasonal weather patterns, and how water moves across properties in this part of Saratoga County. Late fall through early spring is often ideal for grading work because the ground is firmer and there’s less impact on wildlife.
Your grading project includes site evaluation, proper slope creation, and debris removal. We establish drainage patterns that direct water away from your foundation and prevent erosion. All work gets inspected to ensure it meets local requirements for wetlands, slopes, and environmental considerations.
We also coordinate with your other contractors if you’re building. Whether you need site prep for a new home, driveway installation, or commercial development, we make sure the grading work sets up the rest of your project for success. No delays because the site wasn’t prepared properly, and no surprises that add time and cost to your timeline.
Grading costs vary based on the size of your property, how much work needs to be done, and what challenges we’re dealing with. For most residential projects in Holcombville, NY, you’re looking at anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, but that can change depending on factors like soil conditions, drainage requirements, and site access.
The best way to get an accurate number is to have us look at your specific property. We provide free estimates and can walk you through exactly what needs to happen and why. Some properties just need minor slope adjustments, while others require more extensive work to create proper drainage patterns.
What matters most is getting the grading done right the first time. Fixing drainage problems later – especially if they’ve caused foundation issues – costs a lot more than doing proper grading from the start.
Excavation happens first and involves the heavy lifting – clearing land, removing trees, digging out areas for foundations or utilities, and moving larger amounts of earth. Think of it as the rough work that gets your site ready for the next phase.
Grading comes after excavation and focuses on creating the right slopes and drainage patterns. We’re fine-tuning the surface to ensure water flows where it should, the ground is level where it needs to be level, and everything is properly compacted and stable.
Some projects need both services, while others might just need grading. If you’re building new, you’ll likely need excavation for site clearing and foundation prep, then grading to establish proper drainage. If you’re dealing with existing drainage problems, grading might be all that’s needed to redirect water flow and solve the issue.
Most residential grading projects take anywhere from one to three days, depending on the scope of work and site conditions. Simple drainage fixes might only take a day, while more complex projects involving extensive slope changes or challenging soil conditions can take longer.
Weather plays a big role in timing. Wet spring conditions sometimes require us to wait for drier weather to avoid soil compaction and rutting. Winter grading is possible in most conditions and sometimes preferred for projects that need to start construction early in the spring.
We coordinate our timeline with your other contractors if you’re building. The key is planning ahead so the grading work doesn’t become the bottleneck that delays your project. We’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront and keep you updated if anything changes.
Permit requirements depend on the scope of your project and local regulations. Many grading projects require permits, especially if you’re changing drainage patterns, working near wetlands, or doing extensive earth moving. We help you understand what permits might be needed, but applications are typically handled by the property owner or general contractor.
We know the local requirements and can tell you upfront if your project needs special considerations for environmental review, tree preservation, or slope restrictions. If your project involves protected areas or requires environmental review, we’ll let you know so there are no surprises that delay your timeline.
The important thing is addressing permit requirements early in the planning process. Trying to get permits after work has started can create delays and complications that are easily avoided with proper planning.
Poor grading can cause serious problems that get expensive fast. The most common issue is water flowing toward your foundation instead of away from it, which can lead to basement flooding, foundation cracks, and structural damage. As soil expands and contracts with moisture changes, it can cause foundations to shift or settle.
You might also see water pooling in low spots, damaging landscaping and creating soggy areas that take forever to dry. Poor drainage can cause erosion, mold growth, and even direct water toward neighboring properties, creating liability issues.
The cost of fixing these problems later – especially foundation repairs – is usually much higher than doing proper grading from the start. That’s why it’s worth investing in professional grading that creates the right slopes and drainage patterns the first time.
Yes, we can work carefully around existing plants, structures, and landscaping features that you want to keep. The key is planning the grading work to protect what’s staying while still achieving proper drainage and slope requirements.
We assess what can be preserved and what might need to be relocated or removed to accomplish the grading goals. Sometimes we can work around mature trees and established landscaping, other times minor adjustments are needed to create proper water flow.
Communication is important here – we’ll walk the property with you and discuss what you want to preserve versus what needs to change to solve drainage issues or prepare the site properly. The goal is achieving proper grading while keeping as much of your existing landscape intact as possible.
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