How much does it cost to level a yard?

Author: Ms. Evalyn Fisher  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

The average homeowner spends $2,176 to level a yard. Depending on yard size, labor costs, materials, and additional services, most homeowners pay between $1,023 and $3,338. Leveling a yard to improve drainage, combat erosion, or provide a stable base for construction costs an average of $2,176.

Is it expensive to level a yard?

Homeowners with an average-size yard between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet can expect to pay $1 to $2 per square foot to level the yard. The second way to measure for leveling is per acre. Costs to level a yard start at $3,000 for a 1/5-acre lot and can go as high as $45,000 for 1 acre.

Can I pay someone to level my yard?

if its a smaller job, landscapers, drainage contractors. If you're talking a bigger job with multiple pieces of heavy equipment, you can call site prep companies. Typically site prep is clearing land for foundations, but they can do smaller landscape renovation work too.

What time of year should I level my lawn?

However, spring is the best time to level your warm-season lawn because that's when warm-season grasses are growing after being dormant for the winter. Cool-season grasses will do better if you level in late summer or early fall.

Can you level a yard yourself?

The best way to level your lawn without hiring a contractor is by using a rake and a lawn roller. First, use the rake to remove any debris and uneven spots in the lawn. Then, use the lawn roller to smooth out the surface and create an even grade. Repeat this process until the desired level is achieved.

The TRUE COST of LEVELING Your LAWN

How to fix an unlevel yard?

A good leveling mix usually consists of equal parts topsoil and sand with some organic matter. Adding sand into the topsoil mix helps improve your soil's drainage, while the compost adds nutrients to your lawn. Using a lawn leveling rake or a push broom, evenly spread your soil mix over the uneven areas of your lawn.

Is it better to level lawn with sand or topsoil?

The benefits of leveling a lawn with sand include better drainage thanks to level surfaces that don't encourage pooling and sand is an easy to work and affordable material to achieve a level landscape. However, in many cases, the sand can benefit from being mixed with topsoil when used to level a lawn.

How do you flatten a bumpy lawn?

To fix large bumps in your lawn, cut the grass and use a shovel to dig out soil from the mound. Peel back the grass around the bump and tamp it down with the back of your shovel to check if it is level with the rest of your lawn, then remove mounds that refuse to flatten out.

What machine can I use to level my yard?

Wheel Tractor Scrapers

They are the best machine to level ground and haul excess soil.

What to do before leveling lawn?

Depending on the size of your yard, how uneven it is, and the amount of holes to fill.
  1. Step 1: Mow your lawn.
  2. Step 2: Dethatch your lawn as needed.
  3. Step 3: Dig up the grass in the sunken area of the lawn.
  4. Step 4: Make a soil mix with topsoil, sand and compost.
  5. Step 5: Fill sunken areas and holes with the soil mixture.

Who do I call to level my backyard?

A yard grading contractor is an excavation company specializing in grading and leveling land, making them the perfect choice for a regrading project.

How much do you pay someone to level ground?

Land grading cost is $0.08 to $2.00 per square foot, with homeowners typically paying $770 to $3,000 to grade and level a 1,000 to 2,000 square foot lot. The price for grading an acre is $15,800 to $44,535, with a national average of $30,000.

How much does it cost to spread topsoil per yard?

Topsoil costs between $2 and $5 per bag or around $10 to $50 per cubic yard. Most homeowners spend between $262 and $1,015, depending on factors like location, project size, type of topsoil, and labor costs.

What is the cheapest way to level land?

Leveling when the ground is dry is not as physically taxing and is less messy.
  1. Mow and Dethatch the Lawn. Mow the lawn short but avoid scalping down to the stems. ...
  2. Mark Areas to be Leveled. ...
  3. Remove Existing Grass. ...
  4. Mix Sand, Topsoil, and Compost. ...
  5. Fill Sunken Areas. ...
  6. Apply and Level the Top Dressing. ...
  7. Water the Lawn.

Can I hire someone to level my yard?

Along with a landscaping company, you could also hire a general contractor to assist you with this project. When examining their qualifications, just ensure they have experience with landscaping and have leveled yards before.

What is the cost of Levelling a square lawn at?

The cost of levelling and turfing a square lawn at Rs 2.50 per m2 is Rs 13322.50. Find the cost of fencing it at Rs 5 per metre. The cost of levelling a square lawn at Rs 15 per square metre is Rs 19,935.

Can I level my yard myself?

Lawn roller, rake, and shovel: Use the shovel to dig into low spots and expose the dirt beneath the grass. Fill the divots with topdressing mix, then use the rake or lawn roller to level the lawn. If the uneven areas are large enough, use a tiller to dig them up.

What is the cost to level a yard?

Leveling a yard to improve drainage, combat erosion, or provide a stable base for construction costs an average of $2,176. It can range between $1,023 and $3,338, with larger and steeper areas costing more to level. Most yard leveling costs $1 to $2 per square foot or up to $45,000 per acre. U.S.

Can you use a bobcat to level ground?

Bobcat's grading and leveling attachments give you all the tools you need to get the job done, wherever you are. Choose from the most attachments in the industry. Utilizing Bobcat loaders and genuine Bobcat attachments, precision grading can become a one-man operation.

Can you put soil on top of grass to level?

If your lawn has uneven areas or depressions, laying topsoil over the grass can effectively level the surface, providing a smoother, more even terrain for healthy grass growth.

Will aeration fix bumpy lawn?

As we talked about earlier, aeration is an essential part of leveling a bumpy lawn. Over time, weather, wildlife and regular wear-and-tear can cause the soil to become compact, preventing your lawn from getting the nutrients it needs. To reverse this, aerate!

Does lawn rolling really work?

Lawn rolling is useful in the spring when trying to level out minor bumps or uneven lawn areas. Prior to rolling the lawn, add a light top dressing. Lawn rolling is also useful for preparing a bare area for seeding. Use a light roller which will push the seed into the soil to ensure more even germination.

Why do people put sand on top of their lawn?

Experts agree that sand should only be used on a lawn to level low areas, cover exposed tree roots, and to fix heavy thatch build up. Even in those cases, it is recommended that you top dress with a rich, fine compost instead of sand.

What is the best material for leveling a yard?

What Kind of Dirt Do You Use To Level a Lawn? The best mixture is 40% topsoil, 4% sand and 20% compost. While the compost adds nutrients that promote grass growth, the sand allows for better drainage.

Can I put topsoil over grass and reseed?

If you're looking for a short answer, then yes, you can put topsoil over grass and existing garden lawns. Although it's possible for grass to grow through the topsoil, this can only be successful depending on the thickness of topsoil applied as a top dressing.

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