Building Pad Construction & Site Prep in North Carolina
As a third-generation contractor, JG Grading & Landscaping prepares building pads the right way — proper grading, undercut, drainage, and compaction for a stable foundation, backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Building Pads – Professional Site Prep for Lasting Foundations
Solid Foundations for Homes, Shops & Barns
At JG Grading & Landscaping, we don’t just prep pads — we build foundations that last. With three generations of grading and excavation experience, our team delivers the kind of precision builders depend on. Whether you’re building a home, garage, barn, or commercial project, every pad is shaped with the right grading, undercut, drainage, and compaction so your project starts on solid ground.
Our balanced fleet of equipment — a mix of brand-new high-power machines and reliable, seasoned workhorses — means we can tackle any site efficiently without passing unnecessary costs on to our customers. It’s always the right machine for the right job.
Why a Proper Building Pad Matters
If a pad isn’t built right, you can see: settlement, slab cracking, doors & windows out of square, ponding water, wet crawlspaces, ruts/pumping soils, erosion at tie-ins, and expensive tear-outs.
We prevent that with:
Undercut of unsuitable soils
Compaction in controlled lifts
Positive drainage
Final grade your builder can trust
Your Vision, Built the Right Way
Every site is different. We evaluate layout, access, and soils, then recommend the right plan for cut/fill, undercut, and drainage. Sometimes that process starts with land clearing to remove vegetation or stumps — something our team can handle in-house, or you can explore more on our Land Clearing page.
We also provide turnkey support, integrating clearing, grading, drainage, and access roads into one seamless package, so you don’t have to juggle multiple contractors.
One Lesson I’ll Never Forget
Early in my career, I had a customer who wouldn’t listen to my advice on the best and most cost-effective way to build his pad. I really didn’t want to lose that job — it meant a lot to me starting out. That’s why I asked my grandfather, a man with 40+ years in the business, to come out and talk with him.
After a brief discussion where he explained the same things I had, the customer paused, looked at me, and said:
“Son, you’re young, and I didn’t believe what you were saying. But to hear it from someone with his experience made me realize you’re exactly right. You’ve got the job.”
That moment stuck with me. My grandfather built his reputation on honesty and doing right by his customers, and that’s the same standard I carry forward today.
Our Proven Building Pad Process
Site Evaluation: Soil, slope, drainage, access, and pad elevations.
Cut/Fill & Undercut: Remove organics/soft areas; replace with suitable material.
Compaction in Lifts: Moisture-conditioned and compacted to spec for uniform support.
Drainage Shaping: Positive fall, swales/ditches, and culverts where needed.
Fine Grading & Final Walkthrough: Smooth tie-ins to surrounding grades and review with the customer to confirm it meets specs.
Why Choose JG Grading & Landscaping?
Proven Experience: Residential, agricultural, and commercial pads of every size.
Balanced Fleet of Equipment: Efficient, cost-effective results with the right machine for every job.
Durability: Designed to withstand weather and maintain structural integrity.
Cost-Effective: Built right the first time, preventing costly repairs later.
Peace of Mind: Full-time professional contractor — insured, equipped, and committed.
We proudly serve the Kerr Lake, Lake Gaston, and Hyco Lake region — areas where waterfront properties and sloped lots demand proper drainage, compaction, and grading you can trust.
Ready to Build on Solid Ground?
📞 Call 252-432-9215 or email jggrading@gmail.com to schedule your building pad estimate today.
Our Satisfaction Guarantee
At JG Grading & Landscaping
We believe in doing business the old-school way — where a man’s word still means something, and a handshake seals the deal.
When we tell you we’ll do a job, we stand behind it with a satisfaction guarantee: if the work we’ve contracted to do isn’t done right, we’ll make it right. We can’t control weather, natural conditions, or factors outside our scope, but we can control how we work — with integrity, honesty, and no shortcuts.
Three generations of experience have taught us that the right way is the only way. That’s what we promise every customer who puts their trust in us.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
Our 4-Step Building Pad Process
We don’t cut corners. Every pad is built through a proven process that ensures stability, drainage, and long-term performance.
Site Evaluation & Layout
Every site is different. We look at your soils, slope, drainage patterns, and access points before we ever put a blade in the ground. We shoot elevations, plan the cut/fill balance, and mark where undercut may be needed to remove unsuitable soils. This ensures your pad is designed to work with the land, not against it.
Cut/Fill & Undercut
We strip off organics, topsoil, and any soft pockets that won’t hold weight. If we find pumping soils or areas that won’t compact, we undercut them and bring in suitable material. Our equipment is set up to move dirt efficiently while shaping the pad to grade. Sometimes that also means clearing stumps or vegetation — and because we’re turnkey, we can handle that before the pad is ever shaped.
Compaction & Drainage Control
Pads fail when dirt is just pushed in and left loose. We moisture-condition the soil, then compact it in controlled lifts so every layer has uniform support. At the same time, we shape positive drainage away from the foundation — swales, ditches, or culverts where needed — so water never runs back against your structure.
Final Grade & Tie-Ins
Once the pad is compacted and stable, we finish it off with a smooth, even grade. Tie-ins are blended into surrounding ground, driveways, or yard areas so you don’t end up with ruts, erosion, or awkward transitions. The result is a clean, level, and well-drained pad your builder can set on with confidence.
Building Pads FAQs
Answers to Your Common Questions About Our Building Pad Services
- What exactly is a building pad?
A building pad is the compacted, leveled base that your structure sits on. Think of it as the foundation for your foundation. If it’s not built right, you’ll see settlement, cracks, water problems, and costly fixes later. A properly built pad is shaped, undercut, drained, and compacted to give your builder a stable surface that lasts.
- How do you decide where to place a building pad?
We always work with the natural lay of the land. That’s something my grandfather taught me very young: don’t fight the land, work with it. We shoot grade with lasers and probe rods, then figure out the best balance of cut/fill and drainage. Placing the pad in the right spot saves you money and avoids forcing water to go against its natural flow.
- How long does it take to build a pad
Most residential pads take 2–5 days depending on weather, soils, and access. If the site balances well and the soils are good, we can move dirt, compact, and finish in just a few days. Larger pads, pads that require heavy undercutting, or jobs where fill has to be hauled in can stretch to a week or more. Weather plays a big role — wet conditions can delay compaction because soil has to be moisture-conditioned before it will compact right. We’d rather do it once the right way than rush it and cut corners.
- What equipment do you use to make sure the pad is accurate?
Accuracy is everything on a pad. We keep probe rods on every truck to check soils, and we run spin-top lasers to shoot grade and set elevations. On the dirt-moving side, we use dozers, track loaders, and excavators to cut, fill, and shape. For compaction, we run rollers and jumping-jack tampers to make sure every lift is tight. It’s not about just pushing dirt — it’s about balancing the site, shooting grade, and compacting to spec so the pad will hold long-term.
- Why does a pad need to be compacted in lifts instead of just pushed in?
Pads fail when dirt is just dumped or pushed around. We moisture-condition and compact soil in controlled lifts — layer by layer — so every part of the pad is uniform and stable. Skipping this step causes soft spots, ruts, or pumping soils that can ruin your foundation.
- Can you force water to go a different direction if needed?
Yes, but it takes more time, material, and drainage measures. Commercial jobs sometimes require it. Most residential or builder jobs, though, are about cost-effectiveness — finding what works best with your budget and the natural lay of the land. The right contractor will tell you the truth about what works, not just what you want to hear.
- Can you combine pad work with other services?
Yes — and we highly recommend it. By getting a clear picture of your long-term goals for the property, we can plan each step efficiently and cost-effectively so you don’t end up paying for things two or three times or hiring multiple contractors for overlapping work. We pride ourselves on being as turnkey as possible, integrating land clearing, drainage, driveways, and access roads into one seamless package to save you time and money.
- How much does a building pad cost?
The cost of a building pad depends on the size of the pad, soil conditions, drainage, and access. Smaller pads such as barns, garages, or shops typically range from $3,000 to $8,000. Medium pads, like standard new-home sites that require grading, fill, and compaction, usually fall between $8,000 and $15,000. Large pads for big homes, commercial buildings, or multi-structure sites often run from $15,000 to $20,000 or more depending on complexity. Beyond size, several factors can influence cost on any project. Poor soils may require undercutting and replacement, drainage needs can add swales or culverts, tight access increases equipment hours, and if material has to be hauled in rather than balanced on-site, trucking distance quickly adds up. That’s why we shoot grade, probe soils, and provide a detailed, no-obligation estimate up front — so you know exactly what’s involved on your property. We don’t give out “ballpark numbers” just to land a job.
- Are you insured?
Yes. JG Grading & Landscaping carries full general liability insurance and workers’ compensation, giving you peace of mind on every job.
- What areas do you serve for building pad work?
We build pads across Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, and Durham Counties, as well as surrounding towns and communities. We proudly serve the Kerr Lake, Lake Gaston, and Hyco Lake region — areas where stable, well-drained pads are critical for waterfront and sloped lots. Whether you’re building a home, barn, garage, or commercial building, we can handle your pad from start to finish.
See Why Builders & Homeowners Trust Our Building Pads
From stable compaction to drainage done right, customers across Kerr Lake, Lake Gaston, and Hyco Lake know their projects start solid with JG Grading & Landscaping.
Did a great job clearing several acres of our property that had become overgrown. It was a difficult job and they took extra care to not damage any trees. They also did a great job regrading the areas that were very uneven from past work others did on the land. Easy to work with, responsible and professional. I highly recommend them.
John is a true professional that knows his business. Stayed in contact before the job was done. Showed up on time and did a great job straightening out some erosion problems I had and gravelling our driveway. Highly recommend.
Had JG Grading and Landscaping out to my new construction home for a driveway and grading job. He did a fantastic and quick job at a reasonable price. His attention to detail was top notch concerning the design of my new driveway. Highly recommend!
Leave us a reviewFrom barns and garages to custom homes and commercial buildings, JG Grading builds pads the right way — compacted, level, and guaranteed. Book your estimate today and take the first step toward a strong foundation.