Excavator leveling bare soil for grading
Service · Contour the flow

Grading, swales & berms for surface runoff

Guide shallow water with broad landforms that stay visible, mowable, and connected to a suitable surface destination.

What the service solves

A swale guides water. A berm changes where it can go.

Swales are shallow, broad depressions that give sheet flow a readable route. Berms are raised contours that can slow or redirect shallow runoff. Both depend on the surrounding grade, property edges, soil stability, and a destination that will not create a new nuisance. They are landscape forms—not buried pipe systems.

The first review includes the full address, visible water source, property boundaries, structures, access, and any existing grade changes. That context determines whether ordinary surface repair can be considered at all.

Broad sheet flow

A wide route may suit water that spreads across grass instead of arriving at one concentrated point.

Edge control

A low berm may help keep shallow runoff away from a sensitive area when another safe path is available.

Maintainable shape

The finished contour must be gentle enough for upkeep and stable enough to resist erosion during the next hard rain.

From observation to contour

Build the plan around the water path.

A surface-grading project has to work during the next rain and remain practical afterward. The review therefore includes restoration, access, erosion control, and the proposed destination—not just the wet spot.

01

Map existing elevations

Record the source, high points, low points, hardscape transitions, property edges, and the direction water travels during a storm.

02

Shape a continuous route

Compare regrading, a shallow swale, a low berm, or low-spot repair only when the visible surface and destination support it.

03

Stabilize the repair

Plan final soil, erosion protection, turf or planting restoration, and maintenance so the new contour remains readable and usable.

Private-property boundary

Landscape drainage stops before the curb.

French drains, grading, swales, and related private-property drainage can be considered. Curb cuts or penetrations, public right-of-way work, and municipal storm or sanitary connections are not offered.

Start with the address

What happens when it rains?

Send the address, storm timing, and a description of the full water path. We will use that information to compare surface and subsurface landscape-drainage options.

Nothing is booked until you agree.