The scope
What We Handle
Grading and excavation is the earthwork that gets a site build-ready, and we coordinate every piece of it to a written scope before anything moves.
Lot grading & leveling
Cutting and filling to the right slope for drainage and a stable, build-ready pad.
Excavation
Digging for foundations, footings, basements, drainage, and utilities.
Site shaping & access
Preparing a lot so the build, driveway, or outdoor project sits right.
Erosion & drainage grading
Moving water away from the house and the foundation, to a written plan.
Grading is usually one phase of a larger build. See the full site work and grading hub, or pair it with land clearing and drainage and erosion control.
Why Chonko
Why Coordinate Your Site Work With Chonko Construction
Earthwork is the part of a project you stop seeing once it's done, and the part that decides whether everything above it sits straight, drains, and lasts.
One coordinated scope
Earthwork sequenced with the build around it, not a disconnected dig-and-leave.
Permitting coordinated
Land-disturbance permits and stormwater compliance handled as part of the project.
In writing first
The scope, schedule, and price are set before equipment ever hits the site.
Cost drivers
What Drives the Price
Every lot is different, so we set the exact number in writing after we walk the site.
Columbia & the Midlands
Site Work in the Midlands
South Carolina's clay soil holds water and moves with the seasons, and our summer storms test every grade and drain on a property.
Serving Columbia & the Midlands
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between grading and excavation?add
Excavation is digging and moving earth (removing soil for a foundation, basement, or pool). Grading is shaping and leveling the ground to the right slope for drainage and construction. Most site projects need both; Chonko Construction handles them together under one contract.
How much does grading cost in Columbia, SC?add
Grading cost depends on lot size, slope, soil, and how much earth has to move. Every Chonko Construction project starts with a written scope, schedule, and price before work begins, so the number is clear up front. Typical Midlands ranges are published in our excavation cost guide.
Do I need a permit to grade my lot in Columbia, SC?add
Grading that disturbs soil usually requires a land-disturbance permit, and larger sites need a stormwater plan (SWPPP). Chonko Construction coordinates grading permits and compliance as part of the project.
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