Rough grading to subgrade
Bringing disturbed areas to within a few tenths of design elevation before fine trimming
SY / ACGrading limits on the plan
Grading and subgrade preparation
Surface grading estimates measured by the square yard, not by guesswork on tolerance
Surface grading is the work that happens after the big dirt moves: trimming pads to plus or minus a tenth, shaping swales that actually drain and leaving subgrade that passes proof-rolling the first time. LEEDS estimators measure grading areas, tolerances and slopes from the plans, price the passes by machine control capability, and carry the testing and rework allowances that decide whether a grading bid makes money.
Fine and rough gradingGPS machine controlCompaction testing included
4.9/5 from 180+ contractors
- 5.0 Google
- 4.9 Trustpilot
- 4.9 Clutch
“Lumber lists, finish schedules and allowances in a format our clients actually understand. The assumptions log alone has saved us from two scope disputes.”
Reviews
What contractors say after their first bid with us
What general contractors, subcontractors and developers say after bidding with our numbers.
Google
“Lumber lists, finish schedules and allowances in a format our clients actually understand. The assumptions log alone has saved us from two scope disputes.”
Luis Herrera
Project Manager, Sierra Ridge Homes · Phoenix, AZ
Trustpilot
“Squares, underlayment, flashing lengths, fastener counts, even the ridge vent. The waste factors were right for the roof pitch. Bid-ready out of the box.”
Greg Lindqvist
Estimator, Summit Roofing Co. · Kansas City, MO
Direct
“We feed every lender package through LEEDS. The documentation standard is high enough that underwriting has never asked for a second opinion.”
Sarah McAllister
Director of Preconstruction, Harborline Developments · Tampa, FL
Scope of takeoff
Grading quantities we measure
Area-based quantities with tolerance, passes and testing built into every line.
Scroll through all 12 line items
Overview
Grading as a surface-area discipline
Surface grading estimating prices the shaping of the ground surface to plan elevations.
Where earthwork estimating asks how many cubic yards move, grading asks how many square yards must be finished, to what tolerance, and with how many passes. Rough grading brings an area to within a few tenths of design grade. Fine grading trims it to the tolerance required by the pavement, slab or landscape section above it. Each tolerance class is tied to a sheet reference. Slopes and tolerances are listed beside every area.
Tolerance drives production. A parking lot subgrade with a plus or minus 0.10 foot tolerance and a laser-guided blade finishes quickly. A building pad under a thin slab with tight flatness requirements needs more passes, more checking and more rework allowance. We read the geotechnical report and specifications for compaction percentage, moisture conditioning and proof-roll requirements, then match the pricing to them. Moisture control matters as much as blade work, since clay subgrade that is too wet will pump under the roller and too dry will not reach density, so water truck hours and drying time are priced where the geotechnical report calls for conditioning.
The estimate also covers the preparatory and closing steps that surround grading: stripping and stockpiling topsoil, scarifying and recompacting subgrade, lime or cement treatment, drainage swale shaping, topsoil respread, and the survey staking and testing that prove the surface is acceptable. Our workbook keeps these closing items in separate lines, which makes it easy to see where a bid is thin. Survey support, testing and rework are the lines most often cut in a hurry, and we list them in the assumptions with clear owner and contractor responsibilities so there are no surprises when the first proof-roll fails.
Estimate types
What type of surface grading estimating can you get?
Match the estimate to where your project is. Every option is priced as a flat fee before work begins.
01
Detailed grading bid estimate
Area-based pricing of rough and fine grading, subgrade prep and testing from the grading plan, with tolerance classes shown by area.
- Accuracy
- ±5%
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours
02
Pad and subgrade package
Fast pricing of building pads and paved areas from the site plan, with proof-roll and compaction testing priced separately.
- Accuracy
- ±6%
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
03
Machine control model prep estimate
Quantity set and cost of model preparation for dozers and graders, including breaklines and surface checks.
- Accuracy
- Qty only
- Turnaround
- 48 hours
04
Budget grading allowance
Cost per square yard for budgets set before final grading plans are issued.
- Accuracy
- ±12%
- Turnaround
- Same day
Process
How our estimating process works
Four steps from upload to a bid-ready estimate, with a senior estimator signing off before anything leaves our desk.
Upload plans and scope
- 1
Step 1
Upload plans and scope
Send your drawings, specifications and bid invitation through the secure upload form. We confirm scope, deadline and a fixed price within two business hours.
- 2
Step 2
Digital quantity takeoff
Estimators measure every item from calibrated plans in Bluebeam and PlanSwift, color-coding each layer so quantities can be traced back to the drawing.
- 3
Step 3
Pricing and labor
Quantities are priced with location-adjusted material costs, crew productivity rates and equipment, then marked up to your overhead and profit targets.
- 4
Step 4
Senior review and delivery
A second estimator audits quantities and pricing, documents assumptions and exclusions, and delivers your Excel workbook, PDF summary and marked-up plans.
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
- Pricing that starts from tolerance class and number of passes, so a plus or minus 0.10 foot pad is not priced like a rough lot.
- Machine control assumptions stated openly, with the cost of model prep, base station and checks carried as a line item.
- Geotechnical requirements for moisture, compaction and proof-rolling read from the report and carried into labor and testing.
- Topsoil stripping and respread measured separately from bulk earthwork, with stockpile and handling noted.
- Drainage slopes verified against minimum grade, with low points flagged before they become change orders.
- Rework and retest allowances stated instead of hidden, so you can decide how much risk to carry.
Deliverables
What's included in your estimate package
Every deliverable is formatted so it can go straight into a proposal, a purchase order or an owner report.
.xlsx
Estimate workbook
Quantities, unit costs, labor hours and totals organized by CSI division, with subtotals, markups and a bid summary tab.
.pdf
Marked-up plans
Color-coded takeoff drawings showing exactly where every measured quantity came from.
.xlsx
Material procurement list
Consolidated material quantities with waste factors applied, ready to send to suppliers for quotes.
.xlsx
Labor hours by task
Crew-based labor hours and productivity rates so you can check the schedule against the estimate.
.pdf
Assumptions and exclusions log
Every clarification, allowance and exclusion documented so your proposal scope is defensible.
.pdf
Bid summary sheet
A proposal-ready one-page summary with overhead, profit, bonds and contingency applied.
Free quote
Get a fixed quote for this scope
Upload drawings or a plan link and tell us the bid date. A senior estimator confirms scope, price and delivery before any work starts.
- Scope confirmation and a fixed price within two business hours
- Most estimates delivered in 24–48 hours
- Unlimited revisions until bid day
- Plans stay confidential and are deleted on request
Prefer to talk? Call +1 (800) 555-0199 or email info@leedsestimating.com.
Nationwide
Priced for your zip code in all 50 states
Labor rates, material costs and code requirements are adjusted to the project location, not a national average.
Alabama
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Connecticut
Delaware
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Oregon
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Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
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Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
FAQ
Surface Grading Estimating FAQs
Straight answers on scope, turnaround, pricing and deliverables.
How is surface grading different from cut and fill?
Cut and fill measures how much soil moves, in cubic yards, to bring the site close to design grade. Surface grading prices the finishing work, in square yards, for trimming, compacting and shaping that surface to tolerance. They are priced separately because the equipment, productivity and risk are different.
Do you price to a specific finish-grade tolerance?
Yes. We read the tolerance from the specifications, often 0.10 foot for pads and pavement and 0.20 foot for landscape areas, and apply production rates for each class. Tighter tolerance means more passes and more checking, and the estimate shows that difference. Typical examples are 0.10 foot for slabs and pavement, which we confirm with the specification.
Will you account for GPS machine control?
We price grading with and without machine control so you can compare productivity gains with model preparation and base station costs. If you run GPS on your fleet, we use your preferred assumptions and show the setup as a line item. Either way, you see the effect on hours and cost.
Do you include compaction and proof-roll testing?
Testing requirements come from the geotechnical report and specification. We carry the frequency of density tests, proof-roll observations and an allowance for retests, and we mark clearly who is responsible for paying for testing in the assumptions. We note the testing agency's lead time as well.
Can you handle topsoil stripping and respreading?
Yes. We measure stripping depth from the borings and plan notes, handle stockpiling and double-handling when space is tight, and price respreading to finish grade in planted areas with allowances for imported topsoil if the site volume is short. Imported topsoil, if needed, is priced with trucking and screening.
What do you need to price surface grading?
The grading and paving plans, geotechnical report, specifications for earthwork and base, and the site limits. CAD files help with area checks, but we can work from clean PDFs. We confirm the delivery date before starting. We also like to see the earthwork specification, the proposed pavement sections and any phasing notes, since those decide how much of the grading can be done in one mobilization.
Related
Related estimating services
Most projects need more than one trade. Bundle them into a single upload and we price the whole scope together.
Ready for a surface grading estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.