A finished slab is only as good as the dirt under it. In the Valley, where every lot is flat and the rains come heavy, grading is what makes the difference between a building that drains and a building that fights water for the next twenty years. We grade and prep sites for new homes, metal buildings, slabs, driveways and shops across McAllen and the surrounding Upper Valley — laser-guided, compacted, and shaped to drain.
What's Included
Every site is different, but most grading and prep jobs include some mix of:
- Rough & finish grading — moving material to shape the lot to the design grade.
- Laser-guided leveling — for slabs, pads and surfaces that need to be flat to spec.
- Drainage shaping & swales — engineering the slope so water runs away from the structure, not toward it.
- Cut & fill — balancing high and low spots on the lot to a buildable grade.
- Soil compaction — proof-rolled, compacted lifts under pads, driveways and slabs.
- Driveway prep — base material, grading and compaction for residential and commercial driveways.
Our Process
1. Site walk & survey
We come look at your lot, review the plans or your build intent, and check what the existing grade is doing — where water sits, where it runs, where the soft spots are.
2. Written quote
A firm estimate with scope, materials (caliche, base, etc.), schedule and price. No vague hourly numbers.
3. Move dirt
We bring the right machines (dozer, grader, skid steer, compactor) and shape the lot to plan, including any drainage and pads.
4. Compact & verify
Lifts compacted to spec, finish grade checked, site cleaned and walked with you before we leave.
Why Grading Matters More in the Valley
Two facts dominate Valley building: the ground is dead flat, and when it rains here, it rains hard. Combine those, and any slab or building that wasn't graded with drainage in mind ends up holding water against itself. Cracks, settling, mold, foundation movement — most of it traces back to grade.
Under that you've got caliche hardpan a foot or two down and expansive clay that swells and shrinks with moisture. Compaction matters. Cut-and-fill ratios matter. We've graded sites all over McAllen and know how to build a base that won't move under a slab — and won't pond water around it.
Grading FAQ
How much does grading a lot cost in McAllen?
It depends on the size of the lot, how much material has to move (cut-and-fill), and whether base material like caliche is added. A simple residential lot leveling is far cheaper than reshaping a half-acre for drainage. We give you a firm written number after a free on-site look.
Can you grade a lot before a slab pour?
Yes — that's most of what we do. We rough-grade, fine-grade and compact to the engineer's spec so the slab contractor can come in and pour on a base that won't settle or hold water.
Do you handle drainage too?
Yes. Grading and drainage are really the same job — shaping the lot so water moves where you want it to. We can build swales, slope away from foundations, and tie into existing drainage where needed.
How long does grading take?
A typical residential lot is one to two days. Larger commercial sites or jobs with major cut-and-fill take longer. We give you a realistic timeline in the quote.