Grading Drainage and Earthwork

If the foundation of your yard isn’t right, nothing else will be. That’s why proper grading and drainage aren’t optional—they’re essential.

You can have the best patio, the nicest lawn, and the most beautiful stonework—but if water collects in the wrong places or your yard slopes the wrong way, those features won’t last. At ALD, we specialize in grading, drainage, and earthwork that sets your property up for long-term success. Whether you’re prepping for a new project or correcting existing drainage issues, we bring the tools, experience, and attention to detail needed to do it right.

What Is Grading, Drainage, and Earthwork—and Why It Matters

Grading, drainage, and earthwork are the first steps in preparing any outdoor space. They determine how water flows, how stable your soil is, and whether your yard stays dry and usable after a storm.

Grading is the process of leveling or shaping the ground to manage water flow and provide support for structures such as patios, walls, or lawns.
Drainage solutions are designed to move water away from your home and prevent issues such as pooling, flooding, or erosion. These solutions can include options like French drains, swales, catch basins, and drain tile systems.
Earthwork involves moving soil to adjust slopes, fill low areas, and prepare for construction. It serves as the essential groundwork that makes everything else possible.

When done incorrectly, these steps can lead to ongoing problems. However, if executed properly, they safeguard your home and lay a strong foundation for every project.

What Happens If Grading and Drainage Are Done Incorrectly?

We’ve seen firsthand what can go wrong when grading and drainage are treated like an afterthought. The issues can be costly—and sometimes irreversible:

Basement leaks or foundation damage from water pooling near the home
Soil erosion and washed-out hardscapes from improperly directed runoff
Standing water in yards that kills grass, breeds mosquitoes, and ruins usability
Sunken patios or shifting retaining walls due to unstable or uncompacted soil
Flooding after heavy rain because water has nowhere to go

Many of the projects we take on are fixing mistakes made by other contractors. When it comes to earthwork, shortcuts always show up later—and by then, the cost to fix them has doubled.

Grading and Drainage Projects We’ve Completed Across Minnesota

We’ve handled earthwork and drainage for all kinds of residential and outdoor living projects. We don’t treat these projects as side work—they’re the foundation of what we do. Some of our most common jobs include:

Regrading yards to redirect runoff away from foundations and basements.
Installing French drains and dry creek beds to solve soggy lawn issues.
Excavating and compacting soil to prepare for patios, fire features, and retaining walls.
Building swales and berms to manage water on sloped properties.
Solving standing water issues in backyards after snowmelt or rainstorms.
Site prep and grading for full outdoor living projects, including pools, decks, and patios.

How We Handle Earthwork, Grading, and Drainage From Start to Finish

When you bring us in to handle grading or drainage, we follow a proven step-by-step process to ensure your property gets exactly what it needs. We don’t leave anything to chance. Every line, slope, and trench is built to solve problems and prevent new ones from popping up later.

On-Site Assessment: We walk the property, check slopes, inspect problem areas, and identify water movement patterns. We also look at soil conditions and tie-ins to your home’s existing systems.
Design & Planning: We design a custom plan based on your home’s structure, elevation, and drainage needs. This process includes proper grading angles, placement of drains or swales, and how to prep the site for future construction.
Excavation & Soil Work: Using our equipment, we move earth as needed—cutting, filling, and compacting to meet design specs and ensure long-term stability.
Drainage Installation: We install drain tile, catch basins, downspout extensions, French drains, or other systems to redirect water safely away from structures and usable areas.
Final Grading & Finish Work: Once the main work is done, we fine-grade the area for finish materials like sod, mulch, or stone—making sure everything is ready for what comes next.

Why Homeowners Trust ALD for Grading and Drainage Work

We don’t subcontract our grading and drainage work. We do it ourselves, with our crew and equipment, because it’s one of the most important parts of any project we build. Here’s what makes us different:

We evaluate your whole property. We don’t just focus on the problem spot—we look at how everything works together.
We bring construction and drainage together. Since we also build patios, walls, fire features, and more, we know what each project needs to succeed long-term.
We use precision equipment and experienced operators. That means tighter grading tolerances and cleaner, more stable results.
We solve problems others miss. Our team knows how to spot red flags before they become major issues.
We plan for long-term use. We design our drainage systems to last, even through Minnesota winters, heavy rains, and spring thaw cycles.

With ALD, you’re not just getting a grading crew—you’re getting a partner that’s thinking about your entire property and its future.

Get a Grading or Drainage Solution Built to Last

Whether you need to fix a drainage issue, prep a site for a new outdoor feature, or just protect your home from water damage, we’re ready to help. Our grading and earthwork services lay the foundation for projects that last—and keep your yard dry, level, and usable for years to come.

Contact us today to schedule your on-site consultation and get expert help with grading, drainage, or earthwork solutions from ALD.