Before concrete is poured or framing begins, land grading sets the stage for every successful residential build. Homeowners, builders, and remodelers all ask the same question: what is the land grading cost per acre? At CountBricks, we combine AI-powered takeoffs with real-time material and equipment databases to deliver instant answers that reflect local conditions, labor rates, and soil profiles. This article explains how costs are calculated, which variables matter most, and how CountBricks.com keeps projects on schedule and under budget.
The national average hides wide cost swings. CountBricks data from thousands of recent sitework estimates shows that prices can range from $4,000 to more than $15,000 per acre. The final number depends on several factors:
• Topography: Gentle slopes need light cuts and fills, while steep or uneven lots require extensive earthmoving
• Soil type: Sandy soils are easy to shape; rocky or clay soils demand heavier machinery and more labor hours
• Access: Tight urban lots limit equipment size and slow production, raising crew costs per acre
• Drainage requirements: French drains, swales, or berms add to material and labor totals
• Tree and stump removal: Heavily wooded parcels can double grading budgets
• Import/export of fill: Hauling off unsuitable material or bringing in clean fill impacts trucking fees and disposal charges
CountBricks automated estimates categorize land grading cost per acre into clear line items so decision-makers can see exactly where money goes.
1. Mobilization and site prep – 5-10% of total
2. Cut and fill earthwork – 45-60%
3. Compaction and soil stabilization – 10-15%
4. Drainage features – 5-20%
5. Finish grading and erosion control – 10-15%
The CountBricks engine updates each category with live material, fuel, and labor indices, ensuring every line stays current even when market prices fluctuate week to week.
Our platform tracks localized production rates. For example, CountBricks users near San Antonio typically see dozer time priced at $185 per hour, while coastal regions pay closer to $225 due to different wage scales and rockier subgrades. Because CountBricks cross-references current state DOT bid tabs and supplier quotes, residential builders receive a hyper-accurate land grading cost per acre for any ZIP code.
• Voice-driven scope capture lets field pros dictate lot dimensions, slope targets, and drainage notes while walking the site
• Our blueprint takeoff tool auto-detects elevation marks and calculates cut/fill volumes in seconds
• Real-time syncing with regional soil reports refines compaction factors without manual spreadsheets
• One-click quote generation pulls your custom logo, terms, and payment schedule into a print-ready PDF
With these features, contractors reduce pre-construction hours by up to 70% and win more bids with polished, data-backed proposals.
• Combine clearing and grading crews on the same mobilization to avoid duplicate equipment charges
• Re-use onsite cut material as structural fill when soil tests allow, cutting haul-off fees
• Sequence utility trenching right after bulk earthwork to prevent re-grading disturbed areas
• Specify seed and erosion blankets early; bulk purchasing through CountBricks supplier partners secures volume discounts
• Request a CountBricks value-engineering review—our AI suggests slope adjustments that reduce total yardage without compromising drainage
Steep hillside lots, expansive basement digs, or flood-zone elevating projects frequently exceed the median land grading cost per acre. Builders facing these conditions should add 25-40% contingency in preliminary budgets. CountBricks predictive algorithms flag high-risk line items automatically so there are no surprises when crews arrive on site.
Traditional estimating methods rely on experience and static cost books. Even the best pencil-and-paper takeoff can miss subtle grade changes that translate into thousands of cubic yards. CountBricks digitizes the terrain model, runs multiple slope scenarios, and surfaces the most cost-efficient cut/fill balance—all within minutes. That level of precision prevents over-excavation and the budget overruns that follow.
Ready to see exact numbers for your next subdivision or infill lot? Upload a site plan or start a voice session at CountBricks.com/services. Our AI will deliver a complete grading, drainage, and erosion control estimate—itemized and ready for homeowner sign-off—often in less time than it takes to warm up a backhoe.
Land grading cost per acre is never a one-size-fits-all figure. By leveraging CountBricks’ real-time data, machine learning, and streamlined workflows, residential builders get transparent pricing, faster approvals, and smoother groundbreakings. From the first soil scrape to the final laser level pass, CountBricks keeps your project on grade and on budget.
A residential builder in San Antonio approached CountBricks with preliminary bids showing $26,000 for grading a sloped, tree-covered lot. Using our AI blueprint takeoff, we created a detailed terrain model and uncovered an opportunity to balance cut and fill on site, eliminating 18 truckloads of export soil. Here’s how the savings unfolded:
• CountBricks recalculated the finished floor elevation, reducing overall excavation by 530 cubic yards
• The re-grade allowed native soil to meet compaction specs, cutting imported fill costs by $4,300
• Combining clearing and grading mobilizations saved another $1,150 in equipment delivery fees
• Optimized drainage geometry shortened swale length, lowering erosion-control fabric use by 35%
The final CountBricks estimate landed at $18,700—28% below original quotes—without compromising structural or drainage integrity. The homeowner reinvested the savings into upgraded landscaping, while the builder secured future referrals by showcasing transparent cost controls.
1. Data-driven volumes: Our takeoff engine produces centimeter-grade accuracy, eliminating the guesswork baked into manual yardage calculations
2. Live pricing: Material and fuel surcharges updated automatically, reflecting market shifts the morning the quote was issued
3. Collaborative revisions: Builder and client reviewed slope options in real time through the CountBricks dashboard, selecting the most cost-effective layout without extra site visits
• Log in to CountBricks.com/portfolio to explore more grading success stories
• Schedule a free consultation at CountBricks.com/consultation to upload your topo survey and receive a side-by-side comparison of manual versus AI pricing
• Integrate CountBricks estimates directly into your invoicing workflow, turning approved grading costs into automated progress billings
The lesson is clear: when every cubic yard matters, CountBricks transforms raw terrain data into actionable, cost-saving insights that give residential contractors a competitive edge.
