Residential and Commercial Grading Solutions
Grading Services Durham NC
When people search for grading companies near me in Durham, NC, they're usually staring at a yard that won't drain, a build site that isn't level, or a driveway that turns to soup every time it rains. Hunter Excavating fixes exactly that. We're a locally owned grading company run by owner and CEO Kendrick Hunter, and we've spent years shaping lots, driveways, and building pads across Durham and the surrounding towns — Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Mebane, and everywhere in between.
Grading isn't glamorous, but get it wrong and everything built on top of it suffers. Water pools where it shouldn't. Foundations shift. Landscaping washes out. Our crew reads the land, sets the right slopes, and leaves you with a site that sheds water and holds up. Whether it's a small backyard or a full commercial pad, you get the same careful work and a straight answer about what your property actually needs.
Grading Services We Provide in Durham, NC
Hunter Excavating is a locally owned grading contractor serving the Durham, NC area. We take on grading, trenching, and site prep of just about any size, and we treat a homeowner's yard with the same care as a commercial job site. If your project needs dirt moved, leveled, or shaped, we can help. Here's the work we do most:
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Land Grading & Site Leveling
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Driveway Grading & Gravel Driveway Prep
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Lot Grading for New Construction
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Yard Grading & Landscaping Grading
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Drainage & Grading Services
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Erosion Control & Sediment Basins
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Finish Grading
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General Trenching & Electrical Conduit
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Trenching
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Excavation & Ditch Repair
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Land Clearing
A lot of our grading work ties into other services. Bad grading is often really a water problem, so we pair it with our drainage services in Durham. New driveways usually need both grading and stone, which is where our gravel driveway work comes in. And when a lot needs to be cleared or dug before it can be shaped, our excavation services in Durham handle that first. If you're planting or reshaping outdoor space afterward, our landscaping services can finish the job.
Residential and Commercial Grading Contractors in Durham, NC
Residential Grading Services
Most homeowners don't think about grading until something goes wrong — a wet basement, a lawn that stays muddy for days, a driveway that keeps rutting out. As residential grading contractors in Durham, NC, we handle the everyday stuff that makes a property livable: yard grading to move water away from the house, driveway grading so your entrance drains and stays smooth, and lot grading before a new home, addition, or garage goes in. If you've been searching for residential grading services near me, this is the bulk of what we do, and we're happy to walk your property before you commit to anything.
Commercial Grading Services
Commercial sites are less forgiving. Slopes have to hit spec, stormwater has to go where the plan says, and a delay on grading holds up every trade behind it. Our commercial grading services in Durham, NC cover building pad prep, parking areas, drainage tie-ins, and erosion control that keeps you compliant. Contractors and property managers call us because we show up, communicate, and don't leave a site half-finished. If you're comparing commercial grading companies near me, we'd like a shot at the bid.
Why Choose Hunter Excavating for Grading in Durham, NC?
There are plenty of grading companies in Durham, NC, so here's the honest case for us. We own our equipment and run it ourselves, which means the person shaping your lot actually knows what they're doing — not a rotating crew of subs. Kendrick Hunter, our owner and CEO, is involved in the work, so decisions get made fast and problems get owned, not passed around.
We're big on the boring virtues: showing up when we say, telling you the truth about what your site needs, and cleaning up after ourselves. Grading is the kind of job you only notice when it's done poorly, so we'd rather over-deliver on the part nobody sees. Small yard or large commercial pad, you get the same attention and the same respect for your property and your budget.
Trusted Grading Contractors Serving Durham, NC and Nearby Towns
Hunter Excavating is a local grading company built on repeat customers and referrals, which only happens when you do right by people. We prepare land properly the first time — for new construction, landscaping, or fixing a drainage headache that's been bugging you for years. When you search for grading contractors near me around Durham, you want someone local who'll actually pick up the phone. That's us.
We serve Durham and the surrounding area, including Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Mebane. If you're not sure whether we cover your spot, just ask. Call 336-988-7585 or request a free quote below and we'll get you on the schedule.
Grading Services in Durham, NC — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does grading cost in Durham, NC?
It depends on the size of the area, how much dirt has to move, and what you're grading for — a small yard fix is a very different job from a full commercial lot. The honest answer is that we won't know until we see it, which is why we come out and give you a free quote instead of a guessed-at number over the phone.
What's the difference between land grading and yard grading?
They overlap. Land grading is the broad term for shaping any parcel — a building lot, a commercial pad, a large property. Yard grading is the residential version, usually focused on moving water away from your home and giving you a lawn that drains. If you searched land grading near me or yard grading near me, we handle both.
Do you offer drainage and grading services together?
Yes, and usually you want them together. A lot of "grading" problems are really drainage problems in disguise. We look at where water is going, then shape the land — and add drainage solutions if needed — so the fix actually lasts. This is one of our most requested combinations.
Do you do driveway grading and lot grading for new builds?
Both, often. Driveway grading gives you an entrance that drains and stops rutting, and we can prep it for gravel in the same visit. Lot grading levels and shapes the ground before a home, addition, or garage goes up. Getting the lot right early saves a lot of expensive trouble later.
Are you a licensed local grading contractor?
Yes. Hunter Excavating is a locally owned and operated grading company based in the Durham, NC area, owned by Kendrick Hunter. We're not a national chain routing your job to whoever's cheapest — you're dealing with a local crew that lives and works here.
Request a Free Quote
Schedule your complimentary consultation today. We’ll visit your property and sit down with you to discuss what you’re looking for. During this no-pressure consultation, we’ll learn about your project, identify your preferences, and map out a plan that aligns with your budget.