Yard grading and lawn leveling runs about $1.25 to $4.00 per square foot, or $50 to $100 per hour of crew and machine time in 2026. Most homeowners pay $1,000 to $3,330, averaging near $2,180. Small surface fixes come in under $1,000; regrading for drainage or a full re-slope costs more.
| Basis | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Per square foot | $1.25–$4.00 / sq ft |
| Per hour (labor + machine) | $50–$100 / hr |
| Small surface leveling | under $1,000 |
| Full regrade for drainage | $1,000–$3,330+ |
A 1,600 sq ft lawn commonly runs $2,000–$6,400 to grade, depending on how much cut, fill, and haul-off it needs.
How much dirt moves. Cutting high spots and filling low ones is the real work — the more material, the more machine hours and haul-off.
Fill and topsoil. Bringing in soil is priced by the cubic yard on top of labor.
Access and equipment. A skid steer that can drive in is cheaper than hand-work on a fenced, tight lot.
Slope and drainage goals. Grading to move water away from a foundation is more precise — and more billable — than a rough level.
Leveling a 1,200 sq ft back lawn at $2.50/sq ft is about $3,000. Add trucked-in topsoil and haul-off of excess dirt and the same job can reach $4,500.
Enter area or crew hours, fill by the cubic yard, haul-off, markup, and tax — get a clean, client-ready quote in minutes. Free, no catch.
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Pricing figures reflect 2026 US market data (Angi, Modernize, White Shovel, industry cost guides). Actual costs vary by region, volume of material, and site conditions — this page is a guide, not a quote.