Yard Grading & Leveling
for New Sod in Austin

New sod follows the ground under it. We fill the low spots, take down the high ones and slope the yard away from the house before the grass goes down.

Get a Free Quote (936) 510-0964

📐 Grading and leveling 🪣 Topsoil brought in as part of the job 🌱 New sod installed on top

Why grading comes before sod

Sod doesn't hide an uneven yard. Low spots turn into soggy patches under new grass, high spots dry out faster than the rest, and a yard that slopes toward the house sends water at your foundation every time it rains. It's a lot easier to fix all of that on bare ground than after a lawn is in. This is our middle tier of ground prep, for yards that are uneven or don't have much grass or weeds on them. No sod cutter needed.

What the job includes

Look at the yard

We check where water sits, where the ground dips or humps, and which way it drains relative to the house.

Bring in topsoil

Topsoil or enriched topsoil goes where the yard needs building up. On heavy clay, the richer blend gives new roots a better start.

Grade and level

We fill low spots, take down high spots and set the slope so water runs away from the foundation.

Install the sod

Fresh-cut sod laid tight and level on the new grade, and we walk you through watering for the first few weeks.

Is grading what your yard needs?

We'll recommend one of three approaches when we quote your job:

Mostly bare, already level

Light raking and a standard install. See sod installation.

Uneven, with little grass

Topsoil, grading and leveling, the process on this page.

Lots of old grass or weeds

Sod cutter removal first. See sod removal and lawn renovation.

Austin soil makes this matter more

Much of the Austin area sits on heavy Blackland clay, and new construction lots are often compacted builder fill with almost no organic matter. Out west you hit thin soil over Hill Country limestone. Both drain and root poorly without help, which is why grading here usually goes hand in hand with adding topsoil. Our guides on Austin soil types and rocky and clay soil prep go deeper.

Get a Grading Quote

Tell us the rough square footage and what's wrong with the ground now. We'll price grading and new sod together.

Request a Quote Call (936) 510-0964

Service Area

Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Kyle, Buda and Leander.

Grading is done as part of a sod install. We don't sell topsoil on its own in Austin yet.

Grading FAQ

When does a yard need grading before sod?

When it's uneven: low spots that stay soggy after rain, high spots that dry out first, or ground that slopes toward the house. New sod follows whatever is under it, so those problems have to be fixed first.

Do you bring in topsoil?

Yes, as part of a grading or install job. We bring in topsoil or enriched topsoil to fill and level the yard before the sod goes down. We don't sell topsoil on its own in Austin yet.

Which way should my yard slope?

Away from the house. Our yard prep guide recommends at least a 2% grade so water drains away from the foundation instead of collecting against it.

Do I need a sod cutter too?

Not if the yard doesn't have much grass or weeds on it. Grading alone works for bare or thin yards. If there's a lot of old grass or weeds, you'll want full sod removal and renovation instead, which includes grading where it's needed.

How much does grading cost?

It depends on the size of the yard, how uneven it is and how much topsoil it takes to level. Request a free quote or call (936) 510-0964 and we'll price grading and new sod together.