Landscaping costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Tampa’s high annual rainfall and long rainy season can lead to drainage problems in uneven yards.
Yard leveling can not only solve drainage issues but is needed before installing a fence, pool, or driveway.
A qualified Tampa landscaping pro can level your yard to ensure proper drainage and a good foundation for outdoor building projects.
Yard leveling in Tampa costs $1,745, and most people pay somewhere between $841 and $2,648. Tampa’s humid subtropical climate, with its wet season from May to October, can cause serious drainage problems on uneven lawns, making yard leveling necessary to protect local homes and allow homeowners to install level pools, patios, driveways, and more. Take a look at some of the factors that affect how much you’ll pay for yard leveling in Tampa so you can budget accurately for this project.
The cost of yard leveling in Tampa, FL, varies based on the size of the area being leveled, the type of project it’s being leveled for, and material and labor costs. We break down some of the most common cost factors determining what you’ll pay for yard leveling.
The average yard size in Tampa is around 7,700 square feet, compared to the national average of around 10,900 square feet. If you’re building new construction, you may need to level your entire yard, but for smaller projects, you may be able to save by only working on the area necessary for your project.
| Leveled Area (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 2,500 | $400–$525 |
| 5,000 | $800–$1,050 |
| 10,000 | $1,600–$2,100 |
| 15,000 | $2,400–$3,150 |
While the average Tampa yard is between 1/8 and 1/4 of an acre, larger lots—particularly for new construction—may also need to be leveled. Here are some common lot sizes and the average lawn grading or leveling cost.
| Yard Size (Acres) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1/8 | $875–$1,000 |
| 1/4 | $1,750–$2,000 |
| 1/2 | $3,500–$4,000 |
| 1 | $7,000–$8,000 |
| 2 | $14,000–$16,000 |
The part of the outdoor space you’re regrading and why plays a big role in calculating the final cost to level your yard. Check out these common regrading projects below to give you a better idea.
| Type of Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pool leveling | $130–$775 |
| Fence leveling | $575–$1,950 |
| Driveway installation | $975–$6,175 |
| Patio leveling | $130–$650 |
| Leveling for drainage | $650–$1,950 |
The slope of your existing lawn will help dictate the overall price tag for this project. If you have a very steep slope on one side of your yard that you need to level, that will cost you more than a slight slope. Contractors typically charge based on the elevation change; the more significant the change, the bigger the price tag.
If you’re building new construction or expanding your yard, you may need to clear the land of trees, rocks, brush, and debris before you can level it. Land clearing can cost an average of $325 to $3,650 per acre. Land clearing costs depend on how heavily vegetated the land is, what equipment is needed to clear it, and what you do with the cleared material.
A residential land survey in Tampa costs an average of $350 to $800, depending on the type of survey. It’s a good idea to confirm your property’s boundaries before beginning any large yard projects, like leveling, to avoid boundary disputes and other issues in the future, especially if you’re installing a fence, driveway, or other feature that may affect your neighbors.
Fill dirt is a rocky material that’s ideal for packing in pockets during a regrade. It costs between $5 and $30 per cubic yard. How much you need depends on what’s available to relocate from elsewhere in your yard.
Topsoil goes down over the fill dirt. You’ll pay between $12 and $55 per cubic yard. Topsoil costs more than fill dirt because it’s full of nutrients to help nurture a lush landscape.
Hiring a landscape pro in Tampa, Florida, to level your yard will cost an average of $40 to $80 per hour in labor costs. Unless you’re only DIYing minor leveling like aerating your lawn to level it, it’s a good idea to hire a qualified pro who can ensure proper drainage, answer all your lawn grading questions, let you know the best time to regrade your lawn, and ensure the final results meet all local regulations.
Depending on the reason for yard leveling, you may need to obtain a permit from the City of Tampa before beginning work. Permit fees depend on the project, but expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 for permit costs.
Like other landscaping projects, leveling your Tampa yard can offer a return on investment (ROI) of up to 100%. Including yard leveling in your budget for landscaping costs or the cost of xeriscaping can not only add significant curb appeal to your home, but can help prevent serious, costly damage from inadequate drainage. When it comes time to sell your home, a properly graded yard can be an attractive feature in an area like Tampa with high annual rainfall levels.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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R&D Landscaping completed the installation of lawns in both the backyard and front yard, along with some supplementary landscaping work. We are exceedingly satisfied with the final results.
R&D LandscapingGreat! AAP Landscaping is dependable, detailed, and they always come to our home with a positive attitude. I am proud to have them as our landscaping service.
AAP LandscapingThey did such an amazing job with the artificial grass in our backyard. It did not change just the backyard it made us feel like we got a new home in general. They fit us in quickly being we were excited to get it done. They also helped recommend a few layout ideas. Very friendly and would...
AAP LanscapingThe work and customer service was amazing! You can tell the owner takes his time to make sure everything looks neat and precise. I will definitely recommend him to anyone in need of Landscaping.
Season Cultivation ServicesRATING 10 STARS --- I have been a realtor in the local area for over 27 years which gives me a unique perspective different contractors. I rarely write reviews unless the service I receive is exceptional or terrible. I recently had the pleasure of working with Andres and his team at Water...
Water Touch Landscape & Irrigation, LLCThis is a great company. My two .5 deductions had to do with time management issues, but in all fairness Florida had two major storms and a flu outbreak during the time involved. If you are someone who is not fixated on a schedule, then these are the folks to hire. Once they start they are...
Above Ground Landscape & Nursery, LLCAlex is professional, does just what he said he would at price quoted. Mindful of surrounding landscaping when removing large tree is tight area. Highly recommended.
Harvey's Tree SurgeonsThey did an overall efficient job at cleaning up my property but made one big mistake: they actually **weeded** out ferns that were landscaping plants and left behind plants that were actual weeds, thinking they were part of the landscaping. (I specifically mentioned the ferns before they...
Munch Foreclosure Cleaning ServicesShowtime SHOWED out! Their crew were timely and friendly. Their work is top notch!! 100% recommendation for your landscaping needs and more.
Showtime ConstructionWe asked Michael to design and install landscaping for our new build house. When he first came to the property, he immediately made some _valuable_ suggestions for home's exterior completely unrelated to the landscaping. He also suggested a gravel bed around the house to replace gutters,...
Tropiscapes Landscape Design & Installation IncFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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