Grading plays a foundational role in any commercial real estate construction project. With the right grading strategy, civil engineers prepare the ground for building structures safely, mitigate drainage-related risks, and sculpt the land to fit a project’s unique needs. Hence, land owners should create and execute site grading plans professionally whether it’s for high-rise office buildings, small retail stores, or a parking lot.
If you are looking to build a new commercial building or revamp your existing one, this blog will explain everything you need to know about construction grading.
What is Grading in Construction?
Grading in construction, also known as land grading, is the work of levelling and sloping the construction site to ensure proper drainage, achieve desired contours, and establish a solid foundation for a building project. Grade refers to the ground level or the elevation at any given point.
Site grading is typically performed under the expertise of specialized engineers and grading contractors. They use heavy equipment like motor graders, bulldozers, wheel tractor scrapers, skid steer loaders, and other machinery for the job. Grading in construction involves contractors developing a “grading plan” based on existing site conditions according to which they reshape the land for utility lines installation and foundation laying.
Grading land creates a level base for the building or structure while addressing drainage problems. In existing buildings, site grading focuses on refining their landscaping features and increasing curb appeal. Meaning, that grading in construction is both a preventive and preparatory technique.
The fundamental goal of land grading in construction is to:
- Provide a stable and secure foundation for the building
- Ensure proper surface drainage
- Protect the environment by avoiding soil erosion, stormwater runoff, and pollutants
- Establish allowable height and depth of cuts and fills
- Comply with local building codes, zoning regulations, or other standards
- Improve the aesthetics of the finished project
Excavation and Grading: What’s the Difference?
Oftentimes, the terms excavation and grading are confused. Though both processes are vital for structural integrity, there lies a difference.
Excavation happens before the construction stage begins where workers unearth land for swimming pools, pour concrete for sidewalks or patios, foundations, trenches or channels for utilities, etc. Grading or levelling comes later in the construction process, smoothing the ground to equal or flat grade for introducing drainage patterns, building site character, or sculpting land for intended use.
Hence, land grading is different from excavation because rather than moving the earth, it shapes the area to level it out. Excavation is not always necessary for a commercial construction project if site grading prepares the land adequately.
Importance of Grading in Construction
Grading or levelling commercial construction projects is beneficial for not just the building site but also for neighboring properties and the environment. Here’s why land grading is an integral part of construction:
Provides a Stable Foundation
A levelled ground evenly distributes the weight of the building, preventing any foundational shifts or settling which may cause structural damage or collapse. By contouring the land strategically, grading reduces soil erosion and provides a solid base for the construction of foundations, buildings, and roads.
Introduces Drainage Patterns
Graded land minimizes the risk of water accumulation in undesirable areas which can cause foundational damage over time. With proper site designs, water can be directed away from the building into the drainage systems. Grading in construction also stops water from running into neighboring properties, saving the owner or builder from liability issues.
Defines Building Aesthetics
Creating high points and low points at the right places of the build is extremely important for achieving the desired landscape. Grading contractors plan elevations and levelling that can complement driveways, parking lots, gardens, walkways, and overall building appearance. They reconfigure the land to make it compatible with neighboring buildings’ elevations, streets, and parking for accessibility.
Ensures Regulatory Compliance
If done right, construction grading ensures that your land complies with local building codes, zoning regulations, and environmental requirements. A detailed grading plan demonstrates that the building is graded appropriately and is safe for occupation. This will also prevent expensive legal and compliance issues.
Increases Site Accessibility and Usability
Grading can also improve the accessibility and usability of the site. By smoothing out uneven terrain and creating appropriate slopes, grading makes it easier to navigate and utilize the land, whether for construction, landscaping, or future development.
Reduces Environmental Impacts
When developing plans for commercial construction, grading engineers take erosion control, stormwater management, pollutant sedimentation, and other environmental factors into consideration. Thus, grading in construction helps reduce negative environmental impacts and follow responsible land development practices.
Types of Grading Equipment and Their Uses
Grading equipment is essential for efficient and effective construction processes. Selecting the right equipment depends on factors like the amount of earthwork, site area, soil type, desired finish quality, power availability, equipment availability, and budget. Here’s an overview of the best equipment to level ground and their specific uses:
Grading Equipment
Motor Graders
Motor graders are among the best equipment to level ground, ideal for large-scale grading projects. They excel in leveling surfaces for roadwork and creating precise drainage ditches. Modern motor graders feature automation for enhanced precision and reduced maintenance needs. They are commonly used for building foundations, ditching, surface leveling, material spreading, and slope creation.
Rototillers
Rototillers are a soil-level tool perfect for landscaping projects, breaking up soil and creating smooth surfaces. They are particularly useful for preparing gardens or small plots of land.
Bulldozers
Bulldozers are powerful machines to level ground and quickly redistribute large amounts of soil. Their wide blades make them effective for site development, land clearing, and road building. Advanced hydraulic systems and fuel-saving technology ensure efficient operation across various terrains.
Wheel Tractor Scrapers
Wheel tractor scrapers are versatile grading machines for leveling surfaces, hauling, and dumping material. They combine a tractor at the front with a hopper at the back, allowing simultaneous soil cutting and collection, reducing the need for additional grading tools.
Skid Steer Loaders
Skid steer loaders are highly maneuverable with front buckets for both rough and finish grading. Equipped with over 100 attachments, they are versatile for various site preparation tasks, including backfilling and landscaping.
Excavators
Excavators are critical land grading equipment meant for digging and shaping land before grading. Available in sizes ranging from compact to large (3,800 – 188,750 lbs), their versatility makes them critical for any construction grading process.
Dump Trucks
Dump trucks transport large volumes of materials between sites or to dump yards. Off-road dump trucks with large wheels and beds are common in large construction projects, ideal for heavy hauling of dirt and debris, with models ranging from 49,591 to 69,886 lbs.
Tractor Loaders
Tractor loaders are versatile landscape grading equipment equipped with various attachments, excellent for grading. They are used for loading excavated soil, raw materials, and demolition waste. Designed to maximize productivity and reduce operating costs, they are versatile for landscape grading.
Renting land grading equipment can be a cost-effective option, ensuring you have the right tools for efficient grading and site preparation.
Construction Grading Types and Uses
Based on a construction site’s requirements, there are different types of land grading applicable for the project’s flawless execution.
Here are the six types of grading in construction and their intended uses:
Landscape Grading
Landscape grading is the process of preparing the site to accommodate different elements of a landscaping project. For example, water fixtures, gardens, pathways, or other outdoor spaces. It may entail clearing the topsoil for setting up irrigation systems, smoothing areas for planting, reshaping slopes or elevations to improve drainage, or changing the appearance of the land.
The main purpose of landscape grading type is to alter the residential or commercial site’s topography for enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
Architectural Grading
Architectural grading contours the land before building a new home, commercial property, or housing development. This process of construction grading removes elevations that may drain water in undesirable areas and helps prepare the foundation. It facilitates the creation of specific architectural features like steps, terraces, retaining walls, and proper drainage systems.
Rough Grading
In rough grading, grading contractors alter a site’s natural shape by excavating, layering, or relocating the topsoil. They use heavy machinery like bulldozers or mini excavators to scrape large portions of land and specialized tools like lasers for slopes.
The purpose of this land grading type is to set the slope or level the site for landscaping, provide a base for turf development, and establish the drainage flow.
Finished Grading
After rough grading, finished or finish grading fine-tunes the construction site’s topography to create a uniform layer of land. Workers remove large chunks of soil, rocks, and other debris to even the surface and cover of finished projects.
Finish grading involves the use of GPS software to guide the grader by indicating the machine blade’s elevation and angle for right pavement elevation. This type of construction grading applies for specific projects including gravel roads and earthworks.
Final Grade
Final grade is the last step of the construction grading where workers finish a surface with topsoil and sand, promoting plant growth. Moreover, final grading prepares the site for landscaping or seeding.
Regrading
Regrading refers to the process of lowering or raising the land’s levels. Whether a small yard project or a large commercial construction project, regrading or levelling ensures proper water drainage and a secure foundation for the building.
What is a Site Grading Plan?
Usually, municipalities require construction companies to develop and submit a site grading plan for approval before actually proceeding with the process.
A site grading plan is a construction blueprint representing the specifics of land development. It is developed by an architect or a civil engineer who outlines information for other engineers, regulatory bodies, and building commissioners.
Special considerations are taken into account while planning grading in construction like – earth composition, underground utilities, drainage requirements, neighboring structures, seismic activity, and environmental factors. Many professionals nowadays use software like AutoCAD and MicroStation for effective site grading and design services.
How To Read Grading Plans?
- Plans for grading in construction offer a three-dimensional illustration of the site and its elevations.
- Contour lines depict how flat or steep a slope is.
- “X” represents existing spot elevations which indicate precise elevations on a specific location while “+” is for proposed elevations.
- Basic grading plans also inform about property lines, proposed architectural plans, existing structures, utilities, grades, and drainage slopes.
Sample Grading Plan
Site development engineering plan for 8,000 square feet warehouse/office building located on a 1-acre land in Bloomington, Illinois.
Source – Land Engineers, LLC.
How Much Land Grading Cost?
Some commercial contractors specialize in land grading while other landscaping and septic system companies provide land grading in their range of services. Whoever you work with, ensure they are licensed, qualified, and experienced in a commercial grading project.
Usually, grading contractors will charge anywhere between $40 to $180 per hour.
Grading contractors will charge both for hourly labor and area of dirt. The cost to grade land depends on the following elements:
- Project size and complexity
- Site topography
- Specialized equipment
- Hours of labor
- Land survey costs
- Land clearing cost
- Cut and fill dirt cost
- Grading plan and permit cost
- Drainage installation cost
- Waste removal
Expect to pay on a higher end for properties requiring extensive excavation, dirt fill, boulder/tree/rock removal, or old structure demolition. On the other side, you can save money if the land is already cleared for excavators to dig in straightforwardly.
The average cost for grading in construction ranges from $0.08 to $2.00 per square foot and the price to grade an entire acre is $15,800 to $44,535, with a national average of $30,000. (Source)
Getting Your Grading Plan Approved
Receiving a certificate of approval for land grading plans is necessary as it indicates that the resulting elevations and drainage flows match the proposed plans. Primarily, the city department will evaluate the following three factors when approving site grading plans.
1. Lot Size and Structure Coverage
Planning officials in many areas establish the maximum allowable size of space a structure can cover on a lot. This percentage in the land grading plan helps authorities determine if that requirement is being fulfilled or not.
2. Earthwork Estimates
Earthwork is the artificial material laborers use to cut and fill work. The grading plan should mention the amount of earthwork the construction team will remove or bring in to finish the grading project.
3. Property Lines
Before grading and building any structure, it’s important to consider property lines and utility lines as they are susceptible to damage.
Create a Successful Grading Strategy
Successful grading strategies are based on local laws, project’s needs, land’s shape, and the desired outcome. While every project will have its own grading strategy, you can consider the following aspects to plan effectively.
Grading and Drainage
Here are the most-followed rules of thumb for proper grading in construction:
- Compact weight-bearing soil to a minimum of 95%
- Limit parking lot slopes at 5%
- Main access drives should not slope above 8%
- Asphalt should slope a minimum of 1.5% while concrete areas and curbs to a minimum of .75%
- Stabilized landscapes must not have slopes greater than 2:1
- Use retaining walls or other stabilizing features for steep slopes
- Minimum of .15m of exposed foundation wall from the top of the foundation to the top of the surrounding grade
Following these guidelines helps create stable, adequately drained land for construction sites.
Grading and Aesthetics
Land grading has the potential to transform a blank, featureless site into a visually appealing building that can boost property value. Grading in construction can also hide undesirable elements or open up a view to influence commercial visitors. To serve this purpose, landscape grading contractors must have a thorough knowledge of the site and right judgment on what will work.
For example, a 30-ft berm on one site is appropriate, but unsuitable for another. Similarly, a small retaining wall may serve as an attractive design feature for a building project.
Access for Disabled Persons
The legislative law ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) of 1990 deals with providing accessibility to public places and commercial buildings like offices, hotels, stores, cultural centers, etc. Guidelines and standards for ADA state that elevated buildings should have an accessible entrance with an accessible route regardless of the terrain. Because of the complexity of the requirements, one should consult local public works agencies for the right interpretation.
Schematic Grading Analysis
Before planning the grading project, the civil engineer must arrive at a schematic grading plan to identify potential design issues. Schematic grading analysis involves establishing building footprints on the site, along with elevations, road grades, and parking grades.
Spot elevations and sketching 2 or 5-foot contour lines help assess the feasibility of building elevations.
Compare the grade of the road and parking area to the minimum standards:
- Analyzing drainage patterns
- Rough estimates of cut and fill quantities
- Identifying steep slopes and retaining walls
- Marking tree-save areas
Clients should evaluate advantages of each grading scheme and pick the most favorable one.
Construction Grading Process
The steps of the grading process in construction will vary on the size and complexity of the project, climate, and local regulations. Essentially, the site grading process will look like this:
Site Analysis and Planning – Firstly, a land surveyor surveys and evaluates the site’s existing topography, drainage patterns, and elevations of natural as well as constructed structures. This information is then analyzed to create a plan outlining proposed final grade levels and slopes.
Permitting and Land Clearing – Grading contractors acquire required permits and approvals from local or state authorities for the proposed work. Once they get approvals, the construction site is cleared of any vegetation, debris, or old structures.
Excavation and Filling – Heavy equipment like bulldozers, excavators, and motor graders excavate higher points and fill in lower points, levelling the surface. Reshaping land helps to achieve required contours and slopes.
Compaction – Compactors or rollers compress the soil to increase the density and strength of the graded surface. Hence, it establishes a solid foundation for upcoming commercial construction projects.
Drainage Installation – Grading contractors study natural water flow patterns according to which they install drainage features like slopes, swales, culverts, and retaining walls.
Final Grading – After rough grading, tools like skid-steer loaders and laser-guided equipment perform the final grading process. It helps create accurate grade levels and slopes for the construction project.
Quality Control Inspection – A professional engineer inspects the graded land to certify that the work meets quality standards and regulations.
Common Challenges in Grading and How to Overcome Them
Let’s explore the most common challenges faced during grading and earthwork projects and strategies to overcome them.
1. Site Conditions
Assessing and adapting to existing site conditions is a primary challenge in grading. Variations in soil type, topography, drainage, and vegetation can significantly impact the design. Conducting site investigations, including geotechnical surveys and hydrological studies can help in planning proper drainage systems.
2. Design Criteria
Meeting design criteria requires compliance with building codes, standards, and client specifications. Balancing technical needs with budget and aesthetics is challenging. Staying informed about local zoning laws and industry best practices, using robust project management techniques, and maintaining open communication with stakeholders helps align the project with regulatory and client expectations.
3. Coordination and Communication
Misunderstanding among stakeholders, including architects, engineers, and contractors, can result in costly errors. Regular meetings, clear documentation, and using collaborative tools and software can improve communication and reduce the risk of discrepancies or delays.
4. Construction and Maintenance
Ensuring that the grading design is executed correctly during construction and can be maintained over time is another challenge. This requires quality control practices like detailed construction documents and regular site inspections. Post-construction, establishing a maintenance plan helps in resolving potential grading issues.
5. Technology in Grading Projects
Sometimes, keeping up with technological advancements becomes difficult for civil engineers. Modern tools like CAD, GIS, BIM, drone surveying, and machine learning can ensure grading precision and streamline workflows. Embracing green building solutions and sustainable materials can lead to an eco-friendly grading process.
By implementing these strategies, civil engineering professionals can overcome common grading obstacles and achieve a successful project.
Summing up
Grading in construction is a prerequisite to the success of both new and existing commercial building projects. It provides site stability, addresses drainage issues, ensures regulatory compliance, and improves the aesthetics of the finished structure. That is why you must prefer working with expert grading contractors who can create an effective plan and implement it masterly.
FAQs
What’s the difference between rough grading and final grading?
The difference between the two types is that rough grading means levelling or sloping the foundation while finish grading is done after rough, which includes layering topsoil to bring the land to the right elevation.
What are some potential drawbacks of construction grading?
Here are some disadvantages of grading in construction:
- If grading disrupts existing drainage patterns, it can cause the pooling of stormwater and damage the building.
- Unsettles natural environment and wildlife habitats.
- Reshaping slopes can sometimes lead to safety hazards.
- Expensive machinery and labor.
How can grading help in construction?
Grading in construction helps by creating a level base and enabling builders to direct water runoff from the site. It also impacts proper functioning of irrigation and drainage systems.
How long does grading take?
The duration of grading varies based on project size and complexity, typically ranging from 7 days to 3 weeks.
How does grading differ from leveling?
Leveling creates a flat, even surface, while grading adjusts the land’s slope and elevation for proper drainage and stability.
Relevant Resources:
- Land Development and Permitting: Get the Facts Before Your Project Starts
- The Commercial Construction Process In 10 Steps
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