Missouri’s heavy clay soil and unpredictable rainfall make drainage one of the most common — and most expensive — problems property owners deal with. Water running toward foundations, low spots that pond after rain, driveways that wash out every spring, basements that take on water — these are almost always grading problems that could have been prevented.
At Solid Ground, we do excavation, site grading, building pad prep, and French drain installation across the Kansas City metro. Whether you’re prepping a new build, fixing a drainage problem on an existing property, or leveling ground for a barn or shop — we have the equipment and experience to get it done right.
Start with a free consultation. We can often give you a solid ballpark by phone — for larger or more complex jobs we’ll schedule a site visit at no charge. Call Hap at 816-316-0261.
Site excavation and grading for homes, shops, barns, and commercial buildings. We cut, fill, and compact to create a stable level pad with proper drainage built in from the start.
Perforated pipe in gravel-filled trenches that intercept and redirect groundwater before it reaches your foundation, basement, or low spots. One of the most effective long-term drainage solutions available.
Fix negative grade — ground that slopes toward your house instead of away from it. We reshape the yard to direct water away from foundations, preventing long-term damage.
Shallow graded channels that redirect surface water across your property. More cost-effective than pipe systems for moving large volumes of water across open land.
Precision trenching for water lines, electric conduit, septic systems, and drainage tile. Clean, accurate, minimal disruption to surrounding ground.
General excavation, cut and fill, topsoil removal, and backfill compaction. Whether you’re building up a low area or cutting down a high spot, we move dirt efficiently and accurately.
We install a lot of French drains in this area. Here’s why they’re so common and when they make sense.
The heavy clay soil across Jackson and Cass County doesn’t absorb water well — it sheds it. When you combine that with the grade changes common on rural and suburban properties in this area, you get water pooling in the wrong places consistently.
A French drain intercepts that water before it reaches your foundation, basement, or low spots. We dig a trench, lay perforated pipe in gravel, and direct the water to a safe outlet — a ditch, pond, or daylight location away from structures.
Done right, a French drain is a permanent fix. Done wrong, it creates new problems. We’ve fixed plenty of poorly installed French drains put in by others.
Groundwater or surface water migrating through foundation walls is a classic French drain application — intercept it before it gets there.
Low spots that hold water for days after rain can be drained with a properly placed French drain tied to a downhill outlet.
Water running across or under a gravel driveway is usually a drainage problem. A French drain alongside or beneath the driveway stops the washout cycle.
When runoff from a neighboring property consistently drains onto yours, a French drain at the property line intercepts it before it becomes your problem.
Installing a French drain during site prep is far cheaper than dealing with drainage problems after a foundation or slab is poured.
Hydrostatic pressure behind retaining walls fails them over time. A French drain behind the wall relieves that pressure before it builds up.
Excavation and grading is priced by the project — day rate, scope, and equipment needed all factor in. Here’s a general range:
Rough grading — building pads, barn sites
$1,200 to $2,200/day · typically 2 to 5 days
Yard regrading and drainage fixes
$1,200 to $2,200/day · typically 1 to 2 days
French drain installation
$800 to $2,500 depending on length and complexity
Jackson and Cass County soil behaves differently than sandy or loamy ground. We’ve worked this terrain for years and know how to grade it so water moves where you want it — permanently.
Our Takeuchi TL12-R2 track loader handles the grading work that wheeled machines struggle with on soft or uneven ground — no ruts, better control, cleaner finish.
We don’t just move dirt — we think about where the water goes when it rains. Every grading job includes planning for drainage so you don’t end up with new problems in different spots.
Based in Grain Valley — we’re 15 to 30 minutes from most KC metro job sites. No long travel charges, no scheduling around a distant crew.
Jackson County: Kansas City · Blue Springs · Grain Valley · Lone Jack · Oak Grove · Independence · Lee’s Summit · Raytown · Grandview Cass County: Harrisonville · Pleasant Hill · Raymore · Belton · Garden City · Peculiar Lafayette County: Odessa · Bates City · Higginsville · Concordia · Lexington
Don’t see your town? Call us — we likely serve your area.
Rough grading for building pads and site prep runs $1,200 to $2,200 per day. Most residential grading jobs take 1 to 3 days. Start with a free consultation — we can often give you a solid ballpark by phone or from photos of your property.
French drain installation typically runs $800 to $2,500 depending on the length of the trench, depth required, outlet location, and whether we’re working around existing landscaping or structures. Most residential French drain jobs are completed in a single day.
Depends on the cause. If water is pooling because the ground is flat or slightly low, regrading to create positive slope may be enough. If water is migrating from uphill or from a high water table, a French drain is usually the better fix. Sometimes both are needed. We’ll assess your situation and recommend the right approach.
Yes — and it’s the smart way to do it. Installing drainage during site prep is significantly cheaper than coming back after a foundation or slab is poured. We can handle both in the same mobilization.
A properly installed French drain with quality perforated pipe and clean gravel should last 30 to 40 years. The most common failure is using the wrong gravel or skipping filter fabric, which allows fine soil particles to clog the pipe over time. We do it right the first time.
Start with a free consultation — call or text Hap at (816) 316-0261 or submit a request online. We can often give you a ballpark by phone or from photos. For larger or more complex jobs we’ll schedule a site visit at no charge.
“Building Trust on Solid Ground.”
Solid Ground Land and Excavation Services | Grain Valley, MO 64029 | Jackson, Cass and Lafayette County
kahap@solidgroundexcavation.com
