I recently bought a house, and the yard was in terrible shape, filled with junk like broken glass and screws. I've decided to excavate about 4-6 inches of soil and replace it, as well as get the yard graded. I've received a quote of around $5,000 for 5,000 square feet. Since this is my first home, I'm wondering if there are other improvements or considerations I should think about while the yard is being excavated. Are there any upgrades like drainage solutions I should include?
3 Answers
Consider putting in electrical conduits for future outdoor lighting or a water line for a fountain. Don’t forget about irrigation systems if you plan to plant more greenery. And if moles are a problem in your area, putting down hardware cloth before topping the soil could save you a lot of stress later!
Definitely consider improving the drainage around your home! A French drain can help channel water away from your foundation. Also, check for any underground utilities while you’re at it. If you have a sprinkler system, it’s a good opportunity to inspect those lines. If not, think about how you’ll manage watering your yard in the future!
Yeah, I'm really leaning toward that French drain idea! I think it would really help with any excess water.
While you have the yard dug up, this is the perfect time to check the condition of any lines running to your sewer tie-in. I’ve heard of people having major issues with collapsed lines, so it might be worth getting someone to camera inspect it. You don’t want to end up digging up your yard again later!
Totally agree! My parents faced that same issue and had to redo their entire yard afterward. It was a mess!
Great idea about the hardware cloth! I wish I had done that before.