You’re not just getting dirt moved around. You’re getting a building site that actually works the way it should.
Water goes where it needs to go instead of pooling around your foundation or creating erosion problems later. Your driveway doesn’t turn into a washout every time it rains. The grade matches up with your existing landscape features so you don’t have awkward drops or uneven transitions.
Most importantly, you avoid the expensive fixes that come from poor site preparation. Foundation problems, drainage issues, and structural complications that cost thousands to repair later – all prevented by doing the grading work correctly from the start.
We’ve been working in the Johnsburg area since 1997, starting as a logging business before transitioning to full-time excavation in 2020. Josh and his son operate as a close-knit family business where the owner is present on almost every job.
That means you’re not getting a crew that’s guessing about local soil conditions or learning on your property. Twenty-five years of working this terrain teaches you how water moves through different areas and what it takes to create stable building sites.
Our focus is building relationships with customers rather than just completing transactions. When you work with a family business that’s been established in the community for over two decades, you’re working with people who understand the local landscape and take responsibility for their work.
First, we walk and assess the property to understand existing conditions. Natural drainage patterns, soil composition, and where water needs to flow – all of this gets evaluated before any equipment moves dirt.
Our goal is identifying potential issues upfront instead of discovering problems halfway through the job. No surprise change orders because the homework wasn’t done properly at the beginning.
Once the site assessment is complete, the actual grading work establishes proper slopes for drainage while creating level building areas and access routes for construction equipment. Whether it’s rough grading for new construction or finish grading for final landscaping, each phase coordinates with your overall construction timeline and the other contractors involved in your project.
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Our service includes complete site assessment, establishing proper drainage slopes, creating level building areas, and preparing access routes for construction equipment. We handle both rough grading for new construction and finish grading for final landscaping phases.
In Johnsburg’s terrain, proper grading means working with the natural landscape instead of fighting it. The area’s topography requires understanding how seasonal water flow affects different soil types and how to direct runoff away from structures toward appropriate drainage areas.
We coordinate with septic installations, utility work, and other site development to ensure the grading supports all elements of your project rather than creating conflicts. Our work includes establishing grades that meet local building requirements while creating functional, attractive finished sites that enhance property value and prevent future maintenance issues.
Grading costs vary based on site conditions, but most residential projects in the Johnsburg area range from $1,000 to $5,000 for basic grading work. The final cost depends on factors like soil type, existing terrain, amount of material that needs to be moved, and whether additional drainage features are required.
Sites that can be balanced – meaning high areas are cut and used to fill low areas – typically cost less than properties requiring imported fill material. Rocky or heavily wooded sites require more time and equipment, which increases costs.
The key is getting an accurate site assessment before work begins. This prevents surprise costs and ensures you understand exactly what’s needed to properly prepare your building site.
Rough grading establishes the basic contours and drainage patterns for your site and typically happens before construction begins. This phase focuses on creating proper slopes, building pads, and access routes for construction equipment.
Finish grading occurs after construction and involves fine-tuning the grades around buildings, driveways, and areas that will be landscaped. It’s the final step that prepares your property for seeding, landscaping, or paving work.
Most construction projects need both phases, but the timing depends on your construction schedule and what other contractors are involved. Proper coordination between rough and finish grading ensures the final result meets both functional and aesthetic requirements.
Most residential grading projects take 1 to 3 days for smaller sites, while larger or more complex projects can take up to a week or more. The timeline depends on site size, soil conditions, weather, and the scope of work required.
Rocky soil, large trees that need removal, or sites requiring significant amounts of fill material take longer to complete. Weather conditions also affect the schedule – wet conditions can delay work until the site is suitable for heavy equipment.
Our goal is completing the work efficiently while ensuring it’s done correctly. Rushing grading work to meet unrealistic timelines often leads to problems that cost more time and money to fix later.
Yes, proper drainage is a critical part of any grading project. We start by understanding where water naturally flows on your property, then create grades that direct water away from buildings and toward appropriate drainage areas.
This might involve creating swales, adjusting slopes, or installing drainage structures like culverts or catch basins. The key is moving water away from foundations and areas where it could cause problems, while working with natural drainage patterns rather than fighting them.
Poor drainage causes expensive problems including foundation damage, erosion, and flooding. Addressing drainage properly during the grading phase prevents these issues and protects your investment long-term.
Coordination with other contractors is essential for successful construction projects. Our grading work needs to support septic installations, utility connections, foundation work, and final landscaping rather than creating conflicts between different phases.
This involves timing the rough grading to prepare access for foundation crews, coordinating with utility contractors for proper trenching and backfill, and planning finish grading around final construction elements.
Communication between all contractors prevents delays, reduces costs, and ensures each phase of construction builds properly on the previous work. When contractors work together instead of independently, projects run smoother and finish on schedule.
Look for contractors with local experience who understand soil conditions and drainage patterns in your area. A contractor who’s worked in Johnsburg knows how water moves through local terrain and what techniques work best for different soil types.
Ask about their process for site assessment and whether they identify potential issues before starting work. Contractors who do proper homework upfront prevent surprise costs and change orders later in the project.
Also consider whether the business owner is involved in your project or if you’ll be working with crews who may not have the same level of investment in quality results. Family businesses where the owner oversees the work often provide better communication and accountability than larger operations where you never meet the decision makers.
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