Surface Regrading

There are many landscaping issues that can be resolved with drains and structures, but others may need a more serious solution. In some cases, regrading the yard may be a necessary step to create optimum drainage. 

Ideally, a drainage issue can be solved with surface drains or French drains, which are relatively easy to install. When a drainage system isn’t enough to resolve the problem, regrading might be the next step. Here are some situations that could be helped by regrading.

• In some cases, the yard may be sloping toward the home. This will cause water to run off directly toward the foundation of the home, leading to major damage and flooding. If the slope is severe, drains may not be enough to resolve the problem.
• The home isn’t the only area that can be affected by water damage. If your yard is uneven, you might find that one area is affected by flooding every time it rains. In some cases, this can be taken care of with drains. When dealing with larger areas, or a space where removing the water is more difficult, regrading can be a smart solution.
• When designing a landscape plan for your outdoor space, uneven ground can get in the way of features and structures that you’d like to include. Regrading can give you a flat surface to work with, making it easier to add gardens, patios, and pathways.
• One of the more common reasons for requiring a lawn regrade is the installation of an inground pool. Before installing the pool, you’ll need level land to work with, Regrading can provide the blank slate for building your fun family spot.

Those homeowners dealing with water issues are often anxious to find a solution and have the problem taken care of as soon as possible. It’s important to take the time to decide if regrading is actually the right answer before jumping in. Consider the following before beginning the large project.

• Regrading isn’t alway the most time or cost effective solution. If drains can be used to remedy the problem, they’re usually a much quicker and less costly option. Consider how much work will need to be done. The steeper the slope is that you’re dealing with, the more work will be needed to correct the problem. More work means a longer time frame, and more money will be required to complete the project.
• In some cases, homeowners will regrade the lawn in an effort to prevent potential issues from arising. By simply looking at the area, it’s sometimes easy to spot potential problems. When lawns have a particularly steep slope, you’ll probably immediately see the potential for the home to be flooded, for example. Ask a professional if regrading will, in fact, prevent the problem from occurring. 
• If a problem isn’t caught in time, regrading may be a solution for fixing damage that has already been done and preventing the same issue from recurring. In these cases, it’s important to take the time to consider the total project budget. Not only will you need to consider the cost of regrading the lawn, but also the cost of repairing existing damage.

With lawn regrading being a large, time intensive project, the costs can quickly add up. Your team will do everything they can to keep a project in budget and make sure that you’re happy with the outcome. However, there are many factors that will add to the project timeline and the cost of the project. Thinking through each can help prepare you for what’s to come.

• Erosion Prevention: When regrading an area, there may still be some section of ground that has a slope. During the project, erosion will need to be considered, and steps will need to be taken to ensure that erosion won’t destroy the work being put into changing the landscape. That may mean simply adding new plants, or it could be a more involved process of installing a retaining wall. 
• Soil Quality: Loose soil is easy to move and work with. Hard, rocky, or compacted soil is much more difficult and will require much more work. In some cases, the current soil will need to be removed entirely and new soil will be brought in, in order to even out the landscape and allow for plants to be introduced. 
• Existing Damage: As mentioned above, yard regrading is sometimes the solution to a problem that has already occurred. If your home, lawn, or other structures have already sustained damage, that will need to be taken care of during the project. Of course, more damage means more time, energy, and money to address.
• Adding Extras: While you’re planning this large project, you may also want to take the opportunity to further improve your landscaping. After your lawn is regraded, you’ll have the perfect space for adding gardens, structures, and pathways to make the area more livable. Including those improvements in your budget early on can help to give you a more realistic idea of your total project budget
• Yard Size: Larger areas obviously require more work. Take your yard size into consideration when adding up costs for materials and labor.

Regrading a lawn is an excellent opportunity to create a blank canvas for designing a safe, functional, and beautiful outdoor space. The professionals at Circle D Construction can help you solve landscaping problems and design your ideal space.