Small-site excavation and grading in Youngsville, Wake Forest & Raleigh, NC.
Driveway grading, shed and pool pads, drainage, and trenching with a compact mini excavator and an experienced operator. Straightforward half-day and full-day rates, with a written quote before we start.
What we grade and dig
Everstone handles the small and mid-size site work that a big grading contractor will not schedule and a rented machine cannot do well. We work with a 3.5-ton mini excavator with hydraulic thumb, compact enough for backyards, gates, and finished lawns, with the operator included in every rate.
- Driveway Grading & Gravel. Regrade, reshape, and refresh gravel driveways and lanes.
- Building / Shed Pad Prep. Level and prep a base pad for a shed, garage, or addition.
- Drainage & Trenching. French drains, swales, and trenching to move water away.
- Site Grading & Leveling. Rough or finish grading, leveling low spots, spreading material.
- Pool Pad / Above-Ground Prep. Grade and level a stable base for an above-ground pool.
- Footings & Foundation Trenching. Dig footings and trenches to the marked layout.
- Cleanup & Material Spreading. Spread stone or soil, backfill, and small-site cleanup.
Clearing, grading, and stone from one crew
Most grading jobs start with an overgrown site and end with a load of stone. We can forestry-mulch the brush and saplings first, cut and shape the grade, and then deliver the ABC base, drainage stone, or gravel from our own trucks. You deal with one company and one schedule instead of three.
Excavation and grading rates
Standard day rates for the 3.5-ton mini excavator with hydraulic thumb, operator included. Your written quote sets the scope and final price before any work starts.
| Standard half day (up to 4 operating hours) | $650–$800 |
|---|---|
| Standard full day (up to 8 operating hours) | $1,200–$1,350 |
| Multiple days or higher-complexity work | Custom written quote |
Terms
- Mobilization: $150–$250 for one mobilization within 30 road miles, unless the written quote expressly includes it.
- Operator labor is included for routine work with suitable access.
- Difficult conditions, added work, and extended hours are priced separately.
- Materials, utility locating, haul-off, disposal, imported fill, compaction, and restoration cost extra unless the written quote includes them.
Stump work, labor, and special projects
These rates apply only when listed in the written quote.
| Approved handwork, cleanup, spotting, or assistanceRequires separate approval. Machine rates already include operator labor, with no duplicate operator charge. | $75 / person-hour |
|---|---|
| Stump grubbing and on-site stockpiling, first machine dayIncludes equipment, operator, one on-site stockpile, and rough backfill with suitable existing soil. | $1,350 / up to 8 hours |
| Approved stump work beyond the first 8 machine hours | $175 / machine hour |
| Special-project demolition or excavator change orders | $225 / hour |
Projects quoted with a $2,800 spending limit require written approval before exceeding it. The limit does not guarantee completion or a specific stump count. Pricing revised September 11, 2026.
Start a grading quote: pick the project type and rough scope, and you will see the standard day-rate range before you send it.
Where we work
Everstone is based in Youngsville, North Carolina, and takes excavation and grading work across Franklin County, northern Wake County, and the greater Triangle, including Youngsville, Wake Forest, Raleigh, Franklinton, and Rolesville. If your property is a little farther out, reach out anyway. Travel is simply added to the quote.
- Youngsville, NC. Our home base in Franklin County.
- Wake Forest, NC. Fast, frequent local runs.
- Raleigh, NC. Serving the greater Raleigh area.
- Franklinton, NC. Reliable Franklin County coverage.
- Rolesville, NC. Quick delivery to nearby sites.
Excavation and grading questions
How much does small excavation or grading work cost?
Most small-site jobs are priced by the day. A standard half day (up to 4 operating hours) runs $650–$800, and a standard full day (up to 8 operating hours) runs $1,200–$1,350, with the operator included. Mobilization is $150–$250 for one mobilization within 30 road miles, unless the written quote expressly includes it. Multi-day or more complex work gets a custom written quote.
What kinds of jobs do you take on?
Small residential and light commercial site work: regrading and reshaping gravel driveways, prepping level pads for sheds, garages, and above-ground pools, French drains, swales, and drainage trenches, footing trenches, backfill, and spreading stone or soil. If you are not sure whether your project fits, send us a few photos.
What equipment do you use?
A 3.5-ton mini excavator with hydraulic thumb. It is compact enough for backyards, tight gates, and finished lawns where a full-size machine would tear up the ground, and the thumb lets us pick up and place rock, stumps, and debris.
Can you clear the lot and grade it too?
Yes. We can forestry-mulch the brush and saplings first, grade the site, and deliver the base stone or gravel, so one crew handles clearing, grading, and materials.
What is not included in the day rate?
Materials, utility locating, haul-off, disposal, imported fill, compaction, and restoration cost extra unless the written quote includes them. Difficult conditions, added work, and extended hours are priced separately.
How far do you travel for grading work?
We are based in Youngsville and serve Youngsville, Wake Forest, Raleigh, Franklinton, and Rolesville, and the surrounding Franklin and Wake County area. The standard mobilization covers one trip within 30 road miles. Farther sites are welcome and quoted with the extra travel included.