Whether you are carving out a custom hillside home site in Paradise Valley or preparing a flat infill lot in Central Phoenix, earthwork is the first tangible sign that a project is coming to life. Homeowners, builders, and architects all ask the same question at kickoff: how much does grading cost? At CountBricks, we answer that question in minutes with live voice-to-estimate technology and continuously updated local pricing. This guide unpacks the numbers, explains the cost drivers, and shows how CountBricks.com can help you budget accurately before a single dozer arrives on site.
Market snapshots from CountBricks’ Arizona database show most single-family lots falling into these ranges:
• Minor grading on level lots 5,000–7,000 sq ft: $1,200 – $3,500
• Medium complexity lots 8,000–12,000 sq ft with moderate slope: $3,500 – $8,000
• Heavy cuts/fills, retaining or export on 12,000+ sq ft hillside lots: $8,000 – $25,000+
Remember, these are ballpark figures pulled from CountBricks.com/live-pricing. Your exact number depends on six major cost factors outlined below.
The steeper the lot, the more soil must move. Slight slopes often need only a skid-steer and a day’s labor, while 20-degree inclines may require dozers, excavators, and engineered terraces.
• Sandy loam: quick to move, lower operating hours
• Clay or caliche: slower excavation, higher fuel usage
• Expansive soils: may need lime treatment, adding $1 – $3 per square foot
Narrow urban lots complicate machinery delivery and may require compact equipment rentals. Wide suburban parcels allow full-size dozers, often reducing overall hours.
Hauling soil away averages $120 – $180 per 10-wheel load in Maricopa County. Conversely, importing fill can add $15 – $30 per cubic yard.
Local code may demand swales, french drains, or retention basins. CountBricks estimators automatically attach the jurisdictional requirements for every Phoenix ZIP code so you see the real cost—not a surprise change order.
Diesel prices and operator availability move monthly. CountBricks updates labor and fuel multipliers every 48 hours, keeping your estimate current.
Below is a typical CountBricks estimate snapshot:
• Clearing & debris removal: $0.25/sq ft = $2,500
• Cut & fill earthwork (350 cy): $8.50/cy = $2,975
• Soil compaction & testing: $0.18/sq ft = $1,800
• Erosion control silt fence: $2.75/lf (300 lf) = $825
• Export excess soil (4 loads): $640/load = $2,560
Total grading cost: $10,660
Because CountBricks itemizes tasks and ties them to live material- and fuel-indexes, you can drill into every line item before approving the bid.
1. Real-Time Optimizations—During the voice consultation, our AI suggests alternative slopes, drainage paths, or retaining wall layouts that can reduce cut/fill volumes by up to 15 %.
2. Supplier Matching—CountBricks.com/services automatically pairs you with vetted earthwork contractors whose equipment fleet matches your site constraints, eliminating premium minimum-hour charges.
3. Scheduling Efficiency—Our algorithm clusters jobs geographically, allowing contractors to keep machines onsite longer and pass the mobilization savings to you.
Some owners consider tackling light grading with a rented mini-skid. CountBricks recommends hiring pros when:
• Grade changes exceed 12 inches
• Soil reports flag expansive or collapsible material
• Drainage structures tie into municipal systems
• The local building department requires engineered compaction tests
For simple landscape reshaping under 3 inches, DIY may pencil out—just remember to call 811 before digging and verify finished elevations against your permit set.
1. Visit CountBricks.com/consultation and tap the microphone icon.
2. Describe your lot size, slope, and any known soil issues. Upload the survey or speak the dimensions—our AI transcribes in real time.
3. Review the autogenerated grading takeoff, complete with cubic yards, linear feet of drainage swales, and budget allowances.
4. Adjust scope items verbally—“Increase pad elevation by six inches” or “Remove export, we’ll spread on site”
5. Receive a shareable PDF quote plus a machine-readable estimate ready for your contractor’s bidding platform.
Does grading cost more in summer? Monsoon prep rules and higher temperatures can reduce productivity, but longer daylight hours help offset overtime. CountBricks’ seasonal multipliers handle the math automatically.
Is excavation included in grading? In most CountBricks estimates, basement or pool digs appear as separate tasks so you can see the true cost of foundation earthwork vs. finish grading.
Can I finance grading costs? Yes. CountBricks partners with construction lenders who accept our AI-generated estimate as an approved budget line, allowing draws right after rough grade inspection.
If you are still wondering how much does grading cost for your specific Phoenix build, let CountBricks give you an exact answer in under five minutes. Contact our residential earthwork team at CountBricks.com/consultation and start the conversation today.
When the Martinez family purchased a 0.4-acre upslope lot overlooking South Mountain, initial contractor bids placed grading at $24,800—roughly 12 % of the total build budget. They contacted CountBricks for a second opinion.
• AI Blueprint Takeoff—Our software digitized the civil set, flagging a 120 cy over-excavation beyond pad limits.
• Real-Time Design Revision—During a live voice session, our estimator suggested shifting the garage eight feet north. This reduced cut volume by 70 cy without affecting the driveway layout.
• Supplier Optimization—CountBricks matched the project with a contractor operating a GPS-enabled D6 dozer already mobilized on a nearby subdivision, slashing mobilization fees to zero.
The revised grading cost settled at $18,600, a $6,200 saving. The family reinvested the difference into upgraded windows, improving long-term energy efficiency.
• Engage an estimator early—Grading is geometry; small plan tweaks save big money when soil is still on paper.
• Balance cut and fill—Export fees skyrocket budgets. Aim for net-zero earthwork whenever possible.
• Verify utility depths—Unexpected main lines can halt machines. CountBricks integrates utility maps into every takeoff.
• Schedule off-peak—Spring and late fall see lower equipment demand, often translating to discounted hourly rates.
• Bundle scopes—Pair grading with foundation excavation to negotiate better day rates from the same crew.
If you need a precise, contractor-ready answer to the question “how much does grading cost” on your upcoming project, CountBricks has you covered:
1. Start a free voice consultation at CountBricks.com/consultation.
2. Upload or describe your survey—our AI creates a takeoff in seconds.
3. Receive a locked-in quote, scheduling availability, and financing options—all in a single dashboard.
Break ground with confidence. Trust CountBricks, the residential grading and estimate authority across Phoenix and beyond.
