Grading
Grading is the foundation of any successful construction project. Without a perfectly level pad and proper drainage slopes, the structural integrity of your building is at risk. Our experienced operators use advanced laser technology to ensure your site is graded to exact specifications.
Service Overview
Improper grading is the single most common cause of foundation failures, basement flooding, and costly change orders on construction projects. At Addison Excavations, we treat grading as a three-stage discipline - not a single pass with a dozer. Our operators work from engineered site plans and use laser transit systems mounted directly on the equipment to achieve tolerances within tenths of an inch. We balance cut-and-fill volumes on-site whenever possible to reduce off-site material movement, and we coordinate directly with your foundation contractor and surveyor to ensure the pad elevation, setback, and drainage slopes meet both the engineering specs and local code requirements. From single-family home sites on mountain lots to multi-acre commercial pads, we bring the same precision to every project.
Key Capabilities
Our Process
Survey & Staking
A surveyor establishes property corners, building setbacks, and finish-floor elevations. We review the engineered site plan with your builder to confirm pad dimensions and drainage requirements.
Rough Grading
We strip and stockpile topsoil, remove large rocks and debris, and use dozers and excavators to bring the site to within 6 inches of the target elevation - establishing general slopes and swales.
Precision Pad Grading
Using laser-guided equipment, we fine-grade the building pad to exact engineered elevations and compact the soil to meet structural bearing requirements for your foundation.
Final Grading & Restoration
After construction, we return to smooth the yard, fine-tune drainage away from the foundation, spread the stockpiled topsoil, and prepare the surface for sod, seed, or landscaping.
Recent WorkView Portfolio →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between rough grade and final grade?
Rough grading happens before construction begins; it shapes the land, creates the building pad, and establishes basic drainage. Final grading happens after construction; it smooths the yard, fine-tunes drainage away from the new foundation, and prepares the soil for grass or landscaping.
What happens to excess dirt from grading?
Whenever possible, we try to balance the site - using the dirt we cut from high spots to fill low spots. This saves you money. If excess dirt, imported fill, or spoil handling is part of the job, we will discuss the best plan during the estimate.
How close to the laser specs can you get?
Our experienced operators, aided by laser receivers on the equipment, routinely grade commercial and residential pads to within tenths of an inch of the specified elevation, ensuring your concrete or framing crews have a perfect starting point.
The Addison Standard
- 50+ Years Combined Experience
- Over $3,000,000 in Insurance
- Family-Owned & Operated
- Satisfaction Guaranteed
Ready To Work?
Fill out the form to request your free, no-obligation estimate. If you have a pond, drainage, runoff, or compliance concern, include what you are seeing on site so we can route the lead quickly.
Call Us Directly
(770) 503-4344Email Us
kris@addisonexcavations.comBusiness Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am - 6pm
Weekend: Closed
The Addison Guarantee
When you hire Addison Excavations, you're getting 50+ years of family experience, full licensing & insurance, and operators who understand North Georgia dirt, water, and drainage.