Licensed & Insured Free On-Site Estimates Owner-Led Site Work Across Central Alabama
Freshly graded residential lot

Dirt Work & Grading

Dirt Work and Grading for Your Property

Uneven yard, a slope that washes out or a site that needs shaping? We grade it to a plan so it drains right and holds up.

  • Yard and lot grading for homeowners
  • Graded with drainage in mind
  • Clean, finished grade when we leave

Get a Free Estimate

Free on-site estimate. We call you back fast.

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What do you need?
Licensed & InsuredAlabama site-work contractor
Free On-Site EstimateWe walk the property with you
Written Quote in a WeekMeasured, not guessed
No Surprise ChargesWritten change orders only

Why the low bid costs more

Moving Dirt Is Easy. Getting the Grade Right Isn’t.

Anyone with a machine can push dirt around. The difference is whether the finished grade sends water where it should and stays put.

What a cut-down quote often leaves out

  • Dirt pushed around by eye with no elevations
  • Water still pooling against the house afterward
  • Loose fill that settles and washes out
  • Ruts and mess left across the yard

What we scope on your grading job

  • We shoot elevations when the job calls for it
  • Grade set so water moves away from the house
  • Fill placed and compacted where it needs to hold
  • Drainage added where grading alone will not fix it
  • A clean finished grade, ready for grass or gravel
Compact track loader grading a residential lot

Residential dirt work

Graded to a Plan, Not by Guesswork

We start on site with you, looking at where the water comes from and where you want it to go. Then we grade to that plan and walk it with you when it is done.

  • Yard leveling and regrading
  • Lot grading for new builds
  • Cut and fill work
  • Grading for driveways and pads
Get My Free Grading Estimate

How we work

You Know the Plan and the Price Before We Start

  1. 01

    We call you back fast

    Tell us about the property and what you want it ready for. We talk goals and budget on the first call and give you a ballpark.

  2. 02

    We walk the property with you

    Free on-site estimate. We go over the good and the bad, shoot elevations and take measurements when the job needs it.

  3. 03

    Written quote within a week

    A clear scope that spells out every part of the work and why it is there, so you can compare apples to apples.

  4. 04

    Done as agreed, left clean

    A walkthrough before we start, weekly check-ins on bigger jobs, and work stops for a written change order before anything is added.

Recent jobs

Real Southern Dirt Projects

Every photo here is from our own jobs around Central Alabama.

Compact track loader grading a cleared lot
Compact track loader grading a cleared lot
Excavator clearing a wooded lot
Excavator clearing a wooded lot
Excavation on a home site
Excavation on a home site
Drainage trench beside a home
Drainage trench beside a home
Cleared pine lot with equipment on site
Cleared pine lot with equipment on site
Aerial view of a residential site being prepared for a new home
Aerial view of a residential site being prepared for a new home
Drainage trench with pipe being installed in a yard
Drainage trench with pipe being installed in a yard

One contractor for the whole site

Most Properties Need More Than One Thing Done

Clearing, grading, the house pad and drainage all affect each other. We plan them together so nothing gets missed between crews.

Google reviews

What Homeowners Say About Cole

5.0 from 16 Google reviews

Southern Dirt was a godsend to our project! We had to pivot after the project was already underway. Cole was able to step in to ensure that the excavation, grading and drainage was done properly, as well as complete the final grading and addition of several pallets of sod. He was dependable and communicated well throughout it all. He is the go-to man! He will get the job done! No doubt, we will be using him again if we have another project!

Beth S.Google review

Cole is a hard working guy and it shows in his work. Him and his team came out to our property to give us an estimate for re-grading the front, filling in a ditch, removing some debris, and giving us their professional opinion about our drainage issues in the yard. Cole was punctual, good with communication and gave a fair estimate. After the work, we had some bad storms that messed up some of the work; when we told him of this, he was back out to fix the issues with hardly any cost to us. After that there were no issues. I highly recommend Cole and will use him again for anything else we need done in the future. Excellent company and Cole will make sure you are happy.

KatherineGoogle review

Cole is a great contractor highly knowledgeable on anything dirt / grading and excavation or land clearing. He always picks up the phone too!

Logan S.Google review

I used Mr. Davis to clear out a hillside and move dirt from one side of my driveway to the other. He exceeded my expectations with the job he did. I would definitely highly recommend him.

Google reviewerGoogle review

Excellent service today by Southern Dirt, developer Cole Davis/crew arrived at 0700 to assist with flooding and washout issue on my property.

I am an FNP and travel at times for my job…I was notified by family that my yard was full of water completely on one side!

Southern Dirt buried lines, installed a drain box and sod was added to half of the yard! The guys arrived at 0700 and other than lunch I never saw them stop working on my issue!

I highly recommend Cole Davis, he has the knowledge base needed to correct water issues and flooding! Excellent service!!!

Donna D.Google review

We are extremely happy with the job done on our 5acre property.Cole and his team did an outstanding job removing trees and mulching our land completing transforming our space . They were punctual, hardworking and respectful of our property. The final results exceeded our expectations, and we would absolutely use them again and recommend to others.

Elizabeth V.Google review

Cole worked very hard. He takes a lot of pride in his work His prices are very reasonable. He does an excellent job.

Rufus L.Google review

Cole Davis and Southern Dirt made our families dreams come true! Easy and wonderful experience at a very reasonable fair price point.

We had tear down and added patio with 14 pallets of sod!

Van Tiffin D.Google review

These guys are extremely talented at what they do absolutely masters of their craft. They were very professional. I will absolutely use them again.

Jose A.Google review

Great guy. Does fantastic job and very professional. Extremely trustworthy

Nicholas N.Google review

Honest and dependable. Would definitely hire again.

Mike W.Google review

Service area

Based in Harpersville, Working Across Central Alabama

We take on site work in Shelby, St. Clair and Jefferson counties and nearby, including these communities:

Questions

Grading Questions

Don’t see your question? Call us at (205) 506-2137.

How much does yard grading cost?

It depends on the size of the area, how much dirt has to move and whether fill or drainage is needed. We walk the property for free and send a written quote, usually within a week.

Can grading fix water standing in my yard?

Often, yes. Sometimes it also needs a drain. We will tell you which, and why, when we walk the site.

Do you bring in fill dirt?

When the job needs it, it is included in your quote so you know what you are paying for up front.

Do you do small grading jobs?

Our focus is doing the job right, not the cheapest fix. Tell us what you need and we will be straight with you about whether we are the right fit.

What areas do you serve?

Harpersville, Chelsea, Wilsonville, Pell City, Moody, Leeds, Trussville, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Pelham, Helena, Alabaster and nearby.

Free on-site estimate

Get Your Free Grading Estimate

Tell us what is going on with your property. We will come walk it with you and send a written quote.

  • Licensed & insured
  • We walk the property with you before quoting
  • Written quote, usually within a week
  • No added cost without your signed approval
Or call (205) 506-2137

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Free on-site estimate. We call you back fast.

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