Short answer: Compare an exterior grading and drainage quote by requiring existing and proposed elevations, a benchmark, foundation and siding clearances, identified water sources, soil and compaction details, swales and surface paths, catch basins or subsurface drains with legal outlets, downspout coordination, utility and neighbor protections, erosion control, landscape restoration, and a final survey plus rainfall inspection that proves water leaves without creating a new problem.
Yard drainage problems are rarely solved by making one spot look higher. Roof runoff, paved surfaces, neighboring grades, clay or fill, settled backfill, blocked outlets, irrigation, groundwater, retaining walls, and foundation openings can redirect water after the first storm.
Do not compare bids by cubic yards of soil or feet of pipe alone. One proposal may include elevation shots, soil selection, stripping and recompaction, legal discharge, cleanouts, utility locating, erosion control, restoration, and post-storm correction while another spreads topsoil over existing settlement.
Start With Elevations And Water Sources
Require a site sketch with a fixed benchmark, existing elevations at foundation corners, doors, window wells, patios, walks, drives, low points, drains, outlets, property boundaries, neighboring flows, and proposed finish grades. Note roof areas, downspouts, sump discharge, irrigation, slopes, soil saturation, and storm history.
The quote should separate surface runoff from subsurface water or plumbing leaks. A grading contractor should not promise to correct groundwater or a failed foundation drain without investigation and a separate design.
Protect Foundation And Building Clearances
Define required exposed foundation, siding, weep, vent, door, window well, stair, deck, utility, and mechanical-equipment clearances under local requirements and the existing building design. Show how the new grade transitions without burying vulnerable materials or trapping water.
EPA moisture-control guidance emphasizes designing and verifying drainage away from foundations. The proposal should state where slope cannot be achieved and whether a swale, drain, wall, or other engineered detail is needed.
Specify Soil, Excavation, And Compaction
List stripped topsoil, unsuitable or expansive soil, imported fill classification, moisture conditioning, lift thickness, compaction method and test if required, settlement allowance, excavation depth, haul-off, contamination or buried debris response, and protection of roots and structures.
Topsoil belongs at the surface, not as the structural fill that establishes grade. Define the compacted subgrade first, then planting soil, seed or sod, mulch, and settlement correction.
Design A Continuous Surface Drainage Path
Show arrows and elevations for sheet flow, swales, berms, paved surfaces, driveway edges, stair landings, window wells, and transitions. Specify width, depth, side slopes, lining, overflow, mowing or walking constraints, and how water crosses or avoids pedestrian areas.
Confirm that water does not discharge onto a neighbor, public walk, unstable slope, septic area, or foundation. Obtain civil or landscape design and local approval where site complexity, walls, easements, or concentrated flow require it.
Detail Drains, Pipes, And Outlets
For catch basins, channel drains, yard inlets, solid conveyance, French drains, dry wells, daylight outlets, or approved connections, require invert elevations, pipe material and diameter, slope, bedding, filter fabric or aggregate where applicable, cleanouts, fittings, freeze protection, rodent guards, access, overflow, and inspection points.
A perforated pipe has a different purpose from a solid roof-water line. The quote should identify the source each component accepts, where it discharges, the approval basis, and what happens when capacity is exceeded or the outlet blocks.
Coordinate Utilities, Erosion, And Restoration
Define public and private utility locating, irrigation, lighting, pet systems, septic, wells, gas, power, communications, tree roots, fences, walls, and access for equipment. State hand-dig zones, damage responsibility, dust, noise, mud, traffic, and daily security.
Specify inlet protection, silt control, stabilized access, stockpile cover, temporary drainage, erosion blanket, topsoil depth, seed or sod, watering, plant replacement, pavement and fence repair, cleanup, and who maintains vegetation until established.
Survey, Test, And Recheck After Rain
Before final payment, record finish elevations and slopes from the benchmark, verify drains and cleanouts with water, inspect outlets and overflow, photograph foundation clearances, remove temporary controls when appropriate, and complete restoration.
Include a defined post-rain or watering inspection window, settlement correction, vegetation establishment standard, drain maintenance, warranty exclusions, and evidence needed for a callback. Water standing in an intentional basin is different from unplanned ponding beside the house; label both on the plan.
Review The Quote From High Point To Outlet
Measure Before Moving Soil
Fix The Benchmark
Require existing and proposed elevations tied to one stable reference so slope, foundation clearance, drain inverts, and final acceptance can be checked later.
Label Every Water Source
Separate roof, pavement, neighboring flow, irrigation, sump, surface runoff, groundwater, and leaks so each source reaches an appropriate path.
Follow Water To A Legal Destination
Trace Capacity And Overflow
For every swale, basin, pipe, drain, and outlet, state source, slope, materials, access, discharge, overflow route, blockage response, and approval.
Inspect After Rain
Tie completion to finish elevations, flow testing, clear outlets, restored landscape, and a documented rain or watering review with settlement correction.
Exterior Grading And Drainage Quote Comparison
| Quote area | What to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Survey and diagnosis | Benchmark, existing and proposed elevations, low points, sources, storm history, neighboring flow, and limits | Turns appearance into measurable drainage intent |
| Building clearances | Foundation, siding, weeps, doors, wells, vents, stairs, decks, utilities, equipment, and constrained areas | Prevents new grade from damaging the building |
| Earthwork | Topsoil stripping, fill type, moisture, lifts, compaction, testing, settlement, excavation, haul-off, and hidden material | Creates a stable slope instead of a temporary mound |
| Surface path | Sheet flow, swales, paved slopes, dimensions, lining, overflow, property limits, and approvals | Keeps water visible and directed |
| Drains and outlets | Source, inlet, inverts, pipe, slope, bedding, fabric, aggregate, cleanouts, freeze, outlet, overflow, and access | Makes subsurface components maintainable and lawful |
| Restoration and proof | Utilities, erosion, topsoil, seed or sod, watering, cleanup, final elevations, flow test, rain review, settlement, and warranty | Defines a finished yard and measurable result |
Questions To Ask Before Approval
- Which benchmark and elevation shots define the existing problem and proposed result?
- Which roof, pavement, neighbor, irrigation, sump, surface, or subsurface water sources are included?
- How will foundation, siding, doors, windows, vents, decks, and equipment keep safe clearance?
- What soil is removed or imported, how is it placed and compacted, and how is settlement corrected?
- Where do swales and sheet flow go during normal rain and overflow conditions?
- For each drain and pipe, what source, inlet, invert, slope, material, cleanout, outlet, and approval apply?
- How are utilities, roots, structures, neighbors, erosion, access, mud, and temporary drainage protected?
- What landscape restoration and establishment standard is included?
- Which final survey, water test, rain inspection, maintenance, and warranty prove success?
Red Flags In This Quote
A quote that says “add soil around foundation” without elevations, clearances, compaction, and an outlet can bury vulnerable materials and move water elsewhere.
Pipe footage without invert elevations, slope, source, cleanouts, legal discharge, and overflow route describes material but not a functioning system.
Final payment before finish-grade measurements and a rain or flow inspection removes leverage to correct settlement and ponding.
Source Links
- EPA Moisture Control Guidance for site and foundation drainage
- EPA Indoor airPLUS Version 2 verification requirements
- EPA ENERGY STAR complete water management system guidance
- FTC guidance for home improvement estimates and contracts
FAQ
How much slope should grade have away from a house?
Requirements and site constraints vary. The quote should cite the locally applicable target, show measured elevations and distance, preserve building clearances, and provide a drain or engineered detail where slope cannot be achieved.
Is topsoil suitable for raising grade?
Topsoil supports planting but is not usually the compacted structural fill that establishes stable grade. The proposal should separate subgrade fill, compaction, and the final planting layer.
Do I need a French drain or just grading?
That depends on the water source, soil, elevations, outlet, foundation, and site limits. Surface grading is usually addressed first; subsurface drainage needs a defined purpose and discharge.
Can drainage water be sent to the property line?
Do not assume so. Local rules, easements, neighbor impacts, public systems, erosion, septic areas, and concentrated flow can limit discharge. The quote should identify the approved destination.
How should drainage work be tested?
Use finish elevation checks, water tests at inlets and pipes, outlet and overflow inspection, foundation-clearance photos, and a documented post-rain or controlled-watering review.
What maintenance should the contract explain?
Include cleanout and basin cleaning, outlet inspection, erosion repair, vegetation and mulch care, downspouts, winter freeze checks, settlement, and when to call for warranty service.
Related Contractor Quote Guide Guides
- Driveway drainage repair quote checklist
- Rain garden installation quote checklist
- Basement waterproofing quote checklist
A grading and drainage quote is ready when every elevation, soil layer, surface path, pipe, outlet, clearance, restoration step, and post-rain result can be checked against the same plan.