Leveling a yard costs $500 to $1,000 for a small one and $1,000 to $5,000 for an average back yard by HomeGuide's 2026 national figures, and clearing land $1,200 to $8,000 per acre. In Pittsburgh, grading usually means working with a slope, not erasing it.
Prices on this page are national ranges from HomeGuide, not quotes from us. On Pittsburgh lots, the slope, the rock, the access up the street and the distance to the dump change the real number. Figures checked October 2026.
What does it cost to level a backyard or grade a yard?
To level a backyard or grade a yard costs $500 to $5,000 for most homes, or $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot, by HomeGuide. The national average is $2,300. Regrading one side of a foundation is $500 to $1,000 and around the whole house $1,000 to $3,000.
| Area | Finish | Rough |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $200 to $500 | $500 to $1,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $400 to $1,000 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,000 to $2,500 | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $2,000 to $5,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 |
How can I tell if my yard needs grading in Pittsburgh?
Your yard needs grading if water runs toward the house in a storm, the basement leaks on the uphill wall, soil washes onto the walk, or a retaining wall stays wet and leans. On many Pittsburgh lots, runoff from the yard above is the real problem.
Water runs downhill and my yard slopes toward the house. What does it cost to regrade?
When a yard slopes toward the house, regrading costs $500 to $1,000 for one side and $1,000 to $3,000 for all sides, per HomeGuide. On a hillside, regrading alone may not be enough; a swale or curtain drain above the house catches the water before it arrives.
Rough grading versus finish grading?
Rough grading shapes the land: cuts, fills, benches and swales. Finish grading smooths the top for seed or sod. Nationally, rough grading costs $1 to $2 per square foot and finish grading $0.40 to $1.00, per HomeGuide.
What does it cost to level a sloped yard or dig into a hillside?
Nationally, removing a slope or hill costs $1,000 to $5,000, per HomeGuide. On Pittsburgh lots, making a flat area almost always means a retaining wall, which HomeGuide puts at $35 to $65 per square foot, with engineering for walls of 4 feet or more at $500 to $2,000 or more.
What does a level pad for an above-ground pool cost?
A level pad for an above-ground pool costs $200 to $850, per HomeGuide. On a sloped yard we cut the high side into firm soil instead of building up the low side with fill, which would settle under the water's weight.
What does it cost to prepare a hillside lot to build a house?
To prepare a lot to build a house, add clearing ($1,200 to $8,000 per acre), the foundation dig ($1,500 to $10,000), grading for new construction ($1,000 to $5,000), any walls and the utility trenches. Those are national HomeGuide ranges. Rock and slope stability are the Pittsburgh factors we look at first.
How long does it take to clear and grade a hillside building lot?
Clearing and grading a building lot takes from several days to a few weeks. By HomeGuide's estimate, small jobs take 1 to 3 days and large or rocky ones can run past 3 weeks. Steep lots go slower because erosion controls and benches come first.
What does land clearing cost per acre near Pittsburgh?
HomeGuide's land clearing page puts an acre at $1,200 to $8,000: $1,200 to $2,500 for light growth, $2,500 to $4,500 for moderate and $4,500 to $8,000 for heavy.
| Lot | HomeGuide national range |
|---|---|
| 1/4 acre | $800 to $3,000 |
| 1/2 acre | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| 1 acre | $1,200 to $8,000 |
| 5 acres | $4,500 to $35,000 |
What does clearing heavily wooded land cost in Pittsburgh?
Nationally, clearing heavily wooded land costs $4,500 to $8,000 per acre, per HomeGuide. Most raw land around Pittsburgh is wooded hillside, and steep ground slows the work because machines have to climb and every log has to be brought down safely.
What does clearing brush and small trees cost in Pittsburgh?
Brush clearing runs $800 to $3,000 per acre by HomeGuide's figures, and removing a tree $400 to $1,200. Knotweed, honeysuckle and grapevine are the brush we see most on Pittsburgh slopes.
Does forestry mulching work on a hillside, and can the mulch stay?
Forestry mulching costs $500 to $1,000 or more per acre, per HomeGuide, and on a slope leaving the mulch is a good idea: it covers bare soil and slows runoff. Mulchers work best on brush and small trees; big trees still need felling.
Can you clear a lot without removing the stumps?
Yes, and on a slope it is often better. Clearing without pulling stumps leaves their roots holding the soil. Stumps come out only where a building, drive or wall will go. Grinding runs $2 to $6 per inch, by HomeGuide.
What size excavator do I need to clear a lot?
The excavator size depends on the slope and the trees. A mid-size excavator with a thumb handles most lots; a compact machine fits tight access; steep or soft ground may call for a tracked machine with a low center of gravity. We pick after walking the site.
For a price on your own property, call or text (412) 501-2259. We see the site, then give you the scope and price in writing.