Final Grade and City-Approved Topsoil Installation
Final Grading in Edmonton
Final grading shapes your yard so water drains away from the foundation and the lot is ready for landscaping. Serene Landscaping in Edmonton provides final grading for new construction, drainage correction, and full yard preparation across neighborhoods Secord, McConachie, Heritage Valley, Windermere, and Riverbend.
The City of Edmonton’s Lot Grading Plan and Drainage Bylaw 18093 set the rules for final grading and inspections. We shape topsoil to approved elevations, preserve swales, and build a 2% slope away from the foundation.
Final grade approval includes an as-built Lot Grading Certificate, City inspection, and a pass or fail result. If deficiencies are found, corrections are required and a re-inspection must be booked. Inspections are completed within 10 business days.
Final grading is completed before sod installation or a full landscape design build. For city-specific details, see final grading in St. Albert.
Final Grading Services We Offer
- Final Grade Preparation for New Builds
- Topsoil Placement and Leveling
- Slope Correction and Drainage Improvement
- Lot Re-Shaping, Swale Preservation, and Low Area Correction
- Site Prep for Sod, Beds, and Hardscape
What a Proper Final Grade Includes
We check elevations at the house, fence line, and lot corners, and keep swales open. Soil is raked smooth, compacted, and rolled to reduce settlement. Transitions to sidewalks sit about 1/2" above concrete, and we grade around downspouts so water doesn’t pool at the foundation.
Common inspection failures include negative slope toward the foundation, blocked swales, and loose or uneven topsoil. We correct these before inspection to avoid re-inspection fees.
Under Drainage Bylaw 18093, owners are responsible for final grade approval and maintaining approved grades. Settlement or landscaping changes that affect drainage must be corrected.
Timelines and Pricing
The City requires final grading within 12 months of rough grade approval, or within 30 months of the building permit issuance. Most residential final grading jobs take 1-2 days once material is on site.
Final grading ranges from $1,500 to $3,500 depending on lot size, access, and how much topsoil is required. If you are doing grading and sod together, many new build projects in Edmonton fall in the $3,000 to $8,000 range. We provide a clear scope after a site visit.
If you have a lot plan or previous grade notes from a builder, we work from those targets to keep grades consistent.
We can haul off excess soil and plan around tight access. Before inspection, the site should be accessible, clear, and smoothly graded.
Why Choose Serene Landscaping for Final Grading?
We focus on accuracy and drainage so your yard performs properly long-term and passes inspection the first time.
- Accurate Grades: Laser-level checked, 2% minimum slope away from structures.
- Drainage Focused: Water moves away from the foundation.
- Clean Topsoil Prep: Ready for sod, beds, or hardscape.
- Inspection Ready: Grading aligned with City standards and Lot Grading Plans.
- Local Experience: Grading that holds up to Edmonton’s seasons.
Where We Work
Serving Edmonton, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Sherwood Park, and nearby communities.
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With proper grading in place, you're ready to build. These services take advantage of a solid foundation.
Our Final Grading Process
Site Review
We review drainage flow and elevations before grading begins.
01Grade Planning
We map slopes to direct water toward proper drainage paths.
02Topsoil Placement
We spread screened topsoil, rake it smooth, and roll it before sod.
03Final Cleanup
The site is left clean and ready for landscaping.
04
Questions About Final Grading?
Quick answers about grading, drainage, and timelines.
Book Free EstimateFinal grading is required for new builds and for lots with drainage issues before landscaping goes in. In Edmonton, final grading must be completed within 12 months of rough grade approval or 30 months of building permit issuance.
Many residential lots take 1 to 2 days. Larger sites or significant corrections can take longer.
Yes. We add fill to low spots, cut high areas, and re-grade to 2% slope. For persistent wet spots, we install drain tile or French drains.
A typical residential lot ranges from $1,500 to $3,500 depending on lot size, access, and site conditions. If grading and sod are done together, many Edmonton projects fall in the $3,000 to $8,000 range.
The owner, builder, or contractor submits the certificate prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor.
Deficiencies must be corrected within the specified timeframe and a re-inspection booked. We fix the issues before inspection to reduce delays.
Yes. We often follow grading with sod installation as a complete package.
Good Communication Starts Here
Have a question or want to talk about your yard? Call or text us anytime. We keep things simple, reply fast, and never pressure you into anything.
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