The first shovel of dirt on any project should be guided by a clear plan for grading the lot. At CountBricks, we define lot grading as the systematic shaping of a residential site to create proper drainage, stable building pads, and code-compliant slopes. Because our platform pairs voice-driven field data with real-time cost libraries, every elevation change you demand is translated instantly into a detailed estimate.
• Prevents foundation settlement and cracking by directing water away from the structure
• Eliminates standing water that attracts pests and accelerates soil erosion
• Satisfies municipal storm-water regulations and HOA guidelines
• Optimizes curb appeal by creating balanced front, side, and rear yard elevations
• Saves money by reducing after-build rework, sump pump installations, and landscape damage
Traditional grading quotes rely on rough calculations that can miss hidden soil conditions, especially in infill neighborhoods where lot sizes are tight. CountBricks changes the game:
1. Voice Capture: Walk the site, call out slopes, trees, and utilities—our mobile interface records every word.
2. Instant Blueprints: Upload the civil plan or snap photos. Our AI aligns your site notes with the drawing, then generates a 3D surface model.
3. Real-Time Pricing: The platform references regional labor rates, fuel surcharges, and equipment rental costs—updated daily within CountBricks.com/services.
4. One-Click Proposal: Receive a branded PDF complete with scope, schedule, and itemized grading lot costs. Send to the homeowner before you leave the property.
• Cut-and-Fill Volume: Cubic yards moved determine equipment hours. Our AI suggests value engineering, such as balancing soil on site to avoid haul-off fees.
• Soil Classification: Rock, expansive clay, or collapsible silt can add specialized machinery and moisture conditioning to your bid.
• Access & Mobilization: Narrow urban lots may require compact loaders and hand grading, extending labor timelines.
• Erosion Control: Silt fence, wattles, and temporary basins are priced automatically to meet local codes.
• Finish Tolerances: A pool-ready backyard pad calls for tighter laser grading than basic lawn contours, which will reflect in the line items.
1. Stake the Building Pad: Verify property corners using a total station or GPS. CountBricks records the required offsets in seconds.
2. Strip Topsoil: Flag depths verbally, and our engine updates the earthwork balance live.
3. Cut & Fill Operations: Push, load, or compact soil per the AI-generated haul map on your tablet.
4. Rough Grade Verification: Laser levels feed slope data back to CountBricks so the estimate and as-built always match.
5. Install Drainage Features: Swales, French drains, or retaining walls are cross-referenced with our materials catalog for instant change orders.
6. Final Grade & Inspection: Capture walkthrough notes by voice. CountBricks automatically produces the punch-list and final invoice.
• Ignoring Soil Reports: Our template reminds you to attach geotech data, ensuring allowances for unsuitable soils.
• Underestimating Weather Delays: CountBricks schedules in buffer days based on historic rainfall patterns.
• Scope Creep: Every homeowner request is logged as a variation with signature capture, so profit isn’t eroded.
• Average of 18% reduction in grading change orders according to our internal project audit of 250+ single-family builds.
• 30-minute turnaround from site walk to signed proposal accelerates deal closure by up to two weeks.
• Integrated scheduling feeds directly into field crews’ calendars, eliminating phone-tag and spreadsheet chaos.
Explore our grading lot calculator, view completed neighborhood pads in the CountBricks.com/portfolio, or book a live demo through CountBricks.com/consultation. With CountBricks, every cubic yard is measured, priced, and communicated before the first dozer rolls in.
A San Diego infill builder approached CountBricks with a narrow 6,000 sq ft hillside parcel. Traditional bids ranged wildly from $42K to $68K because nobody agreed on soil export volumes. Using our voice-guided walkthrough, the superintendent marked retaining wall locations, driveway pitch, and existing tree roots in ten minutes. CountBricks’ AI modeled 1,350 cu yd of cut balanced by 1,310 cu yd of fill—meaning only four truckloads left the site. Final accepted bid: $44,750, locked in the same afternoon.
• Preload civil drawings into CountBricks.com/services before the site visit to shorten processing time
• Use our real-time fuel index to decide between on-site balancing or haul-off
• Leverage photo-to-plan alignment to catch utility conflicts invisible on paper
• Schedule inspections directly inside the platform to reduce standby hours
• Export slope heat maps for landscapers, preventing re-grading after sod installation
Grading accuracy dictates how quickly the slab, underslab plumbing, and ultimately the framing can start. Once final grade is approved, CountBricks pushes pin-point elevation data to your concrete subcontractor’s dashboard. No more string-line arguments—everyone builds off a single, verified surface model. In the same workflow, the homeowner receives a progress notification and an updated budget snapshot, reinforcing trust long before vertical construction begins.
Whether you are tackling a tight urban lot or opening a 50-lot subdivision, CountBricks keeps the ground beneath every home perfectly pitched and perfectly priced.
