Grading & Land Leveling (C02)
Proper grading prevents thousands in water damage – but most homeowners don’t understand the precision required.
This BidScope walks you through grading types: rough grading to establish major contours and building pads, finish grading for final slopes and drainage patterns, and fine grading for landscaping and sod preparation.
Learn the critical 2% minimum slope requirement – ground must slope at least 1/4 inch per foot (2%) away from foundations for 10 feet to prevent water intrusion.
Master swale construction for directing water away from structures.
Understand drainage solutions: French drains for subsurface water, curtain drains for hillside properties, catch basins for low spots, and channel drains for driveways.
Navigate Utah’s clay soil challenges – clay doesn’t drain well and requires special attention to prevent standing water and foundation issues.
Know when compaction is required and proper lift thickness (typically 8-12 inches per lift at 90-95% Proctor density).
Calculate cut and fill quantities to balance earthwork and minimize hauling costs.
Understand erosion control requirements during grading.
Plan for positive drainage patterns that direct water to proper discharge points.
Size culverts and drainage pipes properly.
Coordinate with utility locations.
Know permit requirements for significant grade changes.
Budget for laser grading precision work versus traditional methods.
This tool ensures water flows away from your property, not into your basement.
What’s Included:
- Grading types (rough grading, finish grading, fine grading)
- Rough grading for building pads and major contours
- Finish grading for final drainage slopes
- Fine grading for landscaping and sod installation
- Minimum slope requirements (2% or 1/4 inch per foot away from foundations)
- 10-foot positive drainage zone around structures
- Swale design and construction for directing water
- French drain installation (perforated pipe, gravel envelope, filter fabric)
- Curtain drain systems for hillside properties
- Catch basin installation for low spots and water collection
- Channel drains for driveways and hardscape
- Area drain connections and routing
- Surface drainage patterns and planning
- Subsurface drainage solutions
- Utah clay soil drainage challenges
- Clay soil percolation rates and amendments
- Compaction requirements for building areas (90-95% Proctor density)
- Lift thickness specifications (8-12 inches per lift)
- Compaction testing and verification
- Cut and fill calculations and earthwork balancing
- Spoil disposal versus reuse on site
- Erosion control during grading (silt fence, erosion blankets, seeding)
- Temporary drainage during construction
- Laser grading for precision work
- Traditional grading methods
- Equipment selection (bulldozers, motor graders, skid steers)
- Utility protection during grading
- Proper discharge points for drainage water
- Storm water management compliance
- Culvert sizing and installation
- Pipe sizing for drainage systems (4-inch to 12-inch typical)
- Permits for significant grade changes
- Neighbor considerations and property line grading
- Cost estimating (per yard moved, hourly rates, laser grading premiums)
- Seasonal considerations for grading work
