6 Things You Must Ask Your Land Grader Before Hiring Them

Land grading also termed “land re-surfacing” or “land leveling,” typically means to level ground.

This might include scooping off extra dirt where needed and adding it to a slope. If the removed dirt is insufficient, additional might be brought from external sources.

Typically, land grading is required when building a new home, adding to the existing structure, or building a concrete patio or a new driveway.

In case you are planning to get your construction land graded, there are a few points to ask the potential project contractor before hiring them for the job.

Before you hire a land grader, do your research. Ask all the technical questions and clarify your mind on the exact steps.

Here are the 6 things you must ask your land grader before hiring them

1.    Ask For Licenses & Permits

Hiring a licensed and qualified land grader can save you a lot of time and money. If your land grading contractors start the contract without a state license, you could face fines, suspension of your project, or be left with work that doesn’t meet local codes.

Also, ask if the contractor is insured or not. Ensure they have workers’ compensation and liability insurance for land grading.

Maryland Department of Labor Home Improvement Commission oversees contractor licenses in MD. You can use this webpage to verify your pro’s license.

2.    Who Will Obtain The Permits & NOCs?

City, local county, or municipality permits may be acquired before starting the project.

Ask the contractor about who will be responsible for obtaining the permits. Some contractors avoid getting into this to save time and cost, but the post-approval process can be a real nuisance for a homeowner.

3.    Is Land Surveying Also Included In The Package?

According to HomeAdvisor, a topographic land survey costs $800 to $2,000, depending on the land size, location, and terrain complexity.

Land grading requires building contractors and land surveyors to measure the land’s slope grading. Ask your land grader whether the surveying cost are included in the final quote or not.

4.    Will Rock /Topsoil/Sod Addition Will Be Charged Extra?

Many land graders charge exorbitantly for unnecessary components of the process. Ask the contractor to take all measurements accurately.

If a slope is required, it should be precise, and if rocks or fill dirt is needed, ask if the cost is included in the final bid.

5.    Does Your Region Have A Grading Plan?

Many municipalities require a grading plan to be followed. Moreover, the land should be inspected after the land grading is done to calculate a grading percentage. If grading is done properly, an approval certificate will be received prior to resuming the construction.

6.    Who Cleans The Site Before & After The Work Is Done?

People expect that the land grader has already included the cost of landscape clearing and excavating in the proposed budget — but that’s not always true.

Land clearing alone can cost $125 to $1,500 per 1/4 acre, depending on the density of shrubs, trees, stumps, and rocks. Moreover, you also need to pay for dirt removal if it’s not included in the contract.

Negotiate all these costs to avoid any inconveniences in the end.

Why Do You Need A Land Grader?

Depending on the grade percentage, soil makeup, slope, vegetation, and natural grading of your land, different grading services may be required.

In general, some of the reasons why you might need a land grader are:

• Excavation
• Topsoil Addition
• Surface Smoothing
• Drainage Obstruction

Excavation

At times to maintain a land-grade excavation is mandatory. This means digging a hole in the ground rather than filling one. Excavation is primarily achieved while preparing a new foundation or prior to installing a patio or a driveway.

Topsoil Addition

After land grading, the remaining soil is often not in a vegetative condition. It might not produce a healthy environment for pants’ growth. This is where topsoil is incorporated.

Topsoil incorporation adds organic matter, which aids in nurturing plants and proves to be the best choice for grass growth. Such qualities might not be found in the remaining sand after the land is graded.

Hence, adding fresh topsoil is necessary before further reseeding and construction of the land.

Drainage Obstruction

An effective drainage system is crucial to any property. Also, a poor foundation may cause damage to your home over time. If water is left sitting in grooves, it gives birth to molds, hence reducing the property’s overall worth. 

Drainage concerns can be resolved through land grading by applying numerous techniques. Some of which are:

• Creating a slope.
• Constructing retention ponds.
• Reducing erosion through water diffusion methods.
• Installation of pipes for better flow.

Surface Smoothing

A good foundation requires smoothing the surface first before constructing further.

Prior to home construction, ensure the ground beneath is leveled and smooth, without lumpy hazards.

Uneven ground can be smoothened by using heavy machinery like Bobcat, which has multiple attachments to smooth the surface.

Why DMAC?

The competition for land graders in Maryland is fast growing. This builds the challenge to choose the best.

We have one of the most qualified staff for land grading services in MD, with many satisfied clients in every neighborhood. DMAC has versatile machinery and has been digging, grading, scooping, filling, and clearing lands as expert land graders in the Maryland area since the 2000s.

Our goal is to create lasting relationships in the new home construction industry and provide out-class land grading, land clearing, excavating, flood mitigation, and foundation contracting services to the residents of Fredrick.

Text/call us at 301-748-2241 or email your query to drew@digdmac.com to get the best land grading services!