Grading and Excavation: What’s the Difference and Which Do You Need?
The terms grading and excavation are often used together in the construction business and it is easy to confuse them. While both are integral parts of modifying the land for a project, dig deeper – never mind the pun – and you will find clear technical differences between the two.
Make no mistake about it: you cannot choose one over the other. Both processes are required before the start of construction on a piece of land. Any land development process will only be successful if you’ve done proper excavation and grading.
This article will take a closer look into these two processes to help you figure out the difference between excavation and grading of land.
What is Grading and Excavation?
Shall we start with excavation first? Technically, excavation is done before grading.
Great! But why and how come?
Off to your next two question for more details…
What is Excavation?
What are the odds that the land you have chosen is ready for construction?
Honestly, close to zero.
Excavation is a preparatory step of cutting or removing the topsoil, rock, or any other obstructions from a piece of land before construction starts. This requires the use of bigger earth-moving guys like bulldozers and excavators.
The process needs to be planned and done properly, by keeping all safety factors in mind. For that, the first step is an in-depth site inspection and survey. This helps identify the soil type, obstructions, and potential hazards, allowing engineers to plan out the excavation process more efficiently. Then measurements are taken and the outlines of the future construction and landscaping work are marked.
Before you start there is another important step needed. You need to check if any excavation permit is required for excavating in that location.
Apart from soil removal, excavation involves clearing processes like removing vegetation, felling of trees, and demolition of existing structures. The process also involves the disposal of all removed materials in an orderly manner.
Once you’ve got rid of the topsoil, the moisture in the lower layer evaporates. This makes it easier to work with.
Depending on the project, you may also have to do things like clearing muck, tunnelling and underground work. Additional equipment like drills, scrapers, skid steers, trenchers, and dump trucks may be needed. The choice of machines depends, of course, on the exact site requirement.
The main reason why you’ll want to excavate is to clear the area and prepare a stable base for the foundation. This will prevent the land from settling in future and also help remove potential hazards and unstable soil.
Plus, it improves the integrity of the subsoil and helps to support the structure of the building.
Once the excavation is complete, in comes the process of backfilling. It involves the filling of the excavated area with the appropriate materials. Note that the term ‘appropriate’ is absolutely vital as the choice depends on various technical parameters. The right material can be soil, gravel, sand, or crushed stone. The backfilled material is then compacted by using plate or roller compactors.
Quite simply, excavation is not a simple process and involves proper coordination of manpower and a ton of skill.
What is Grading of Land?

Now that excavation is complete, it is time for site grading. This step is conducted after the site is clear and the land has to be levelled for construction to start.
You might be wondering if grading is needed for all sites.
Yes, for all sites. Excavation leaves behind an uneven surface which is not ideal for setting up foundations or even landscaping. The basic idea of grading is to modify the contours of the land based on the requirements and adjust the terrain by using machines. The finished surface is stable and ensures better water drainage. When done for landscaping, grading also makes the land aesthetically pleasing.
The work does not involve extensive digging and heavy lifting like land excavation and the movement of soil is more precise. Think of site grading as the fine touches of an artist on the land after excavation has readied the blank canvas of the site.
In fact, modern machines are using 3D machine control systems for accurate grading and enhancing productivity. “It not only optimises our productivity but also minimises material waste, ultimately contributing to more cost-effective and successful construction projects”, Fabian Stadelmann, an excavator operator in Schleiss AG, told the WorldHighways.com.
And let’s face it. Land is pretty expensive and you need to make the best use of it. A portion of the land might be covered by a slope, but you do not want it to remain unusable. Grading is the best way to make the slope uniform and make the land usable.
The main purpose of site grading is to ensure optimal foundational stability, drainage, and functionality of the site. This ensures that water flows away from the construction and does not cause land erosion, especially if the terrain is hilly.
Note, that land grading is not the same as land levelling. The objective of land levelling is to create a flat surface and it is mainly done for agricultural purposes. Levelling does not require heavy machines like dozers and backhoes but precise ones like laser-guided graders and scrapers.
Needless to say, grading is a critical task. Imagine water pooling near the foundations of the site. Not good at all. That means the site grading was not done properly.
The consequences are the project facing delays, resulting in cost escalation and rework. Even worse, water or other pollutants can get directed towards adjacent properties, creating liabilities for the builder.
Types of Land Grading
The types of land grading conducted at a site can differ depending on the exact site requirements. Here are the main types.
Landscape Grading
This is done to smoothen the topsoil for planting and improving drainage. It also involves introducing the right slope or drainage into the land to prevent the water from accumulating on the land. The main purpose is to improve the look of the land and ensure sufficient soil integrity for the growth of plants.
Regrading
Regrading involves soil cutting and filling activities for lowering or raising the level of the entire land and requires extensive soil movement. This ensures that all facilities remain at the same level. It can also help in addressing problems related to soil settling or drainage issues. Regrading is also done to resume the land for a different purpose.
Rough Grading
Rough grading is adjusting the contours of the raw land left after excavation by using heavy machinery to establish the right elevations before construction begins. It involves cutting, filling, and moving of soil. The main applications are in infrastructure, buildings, and road projects. The process is often followed by a more precise final grading operation.
Finish Grading and Final Grading
Both processes are similar and often merge into one another. Finish grading comes after rough grading to smoothen the rough soil and fix the level. This is conducted by using special equipment and the final step before the construction work commences.
Final grading is the process used for landscaping and constructing pavements. This involves the compaction of the topsoil to prevent any settling or shifting. It is the final stage before the construction of landscaping work commences.
How to Develop the Right Grading & Excavation Budget
A well-planned site grading strategy is crucial to ensure the best site conditions for construction.
But it’s not something you or I can do. For this, the architect or civil engineer prepares a blueprint called the site grading plan. In other words, it is prepared by a professional. To an untrained eye, a site grading plan will seem baffling.
Simply put, it’s a drawing loaded with information about what the final land surface looks like, along with the elevations. Based on that, the necessary changes are carried out. The plan depends on factors like the land type and the project’s needs and outcomes.
Frankly, if you want to DYI the grading and excavating of a piece of land without any prior experience, drop the idea. Taking the help of professionals will save you a lot of trouble.
Here are some important points to keep in mind for preparing a proper grading and excavating strategy.
- It is necessary to conduct a thorough soil investigation to understand the nature of the soil, its stability and terrain conditions. This helps to make educated decisions and avoid any future problems.
- The design objectives of the project should be kept in mind while ensuring compliance with local and state regulations.
- Plans for controlling soil erosion and preventing any contamination of the surrounding area need to be chalked out. Reduction of the environmental impact of the construction is also an important aspect of the plan.
- Safety is an important consideration for excavation and grading contractors and engineers. This includes ensuring safe access to materials and equipment and checking the stability of slopes on the land.
- Constant monitoring is a must during grading and excavation so that real-time changes can be made based on site requirements.
Lastly, a few quick words about the cost of excavation and grading. It is hard to point out a number as the size of the land and the conditions vary. The average excavation cost can range between $800 and $6,500. Combined with grading, the costs can be as high as $14,000 to $20,000.
Grading and Excavating: FAQs
Is grading the same as excavating?
No, grading is not the same as excavating. Excavation is the first stage of preparing a site and grading is the next stage for fixing the elevations and preparing the soil for construction.
What does a grading company do?
A grading company prepares the proper level for the site and also creates a base for the foundation by ensuring the proper slope. They also ensure soil compaction and take measures to prevent water accumulation and erosion.
How to grade a site?
Grading a site is a complex task conducted by following a proper plan and adjusting the soil contours and levels through activities like cutting and filling. The process is conducted by using heavy machinery and is closely monitored by engineers to ensure precision.