Yard Drainage and Grading in Johnson County, KS
Modern Collar regrades yards and fixes drainage problems across Johnson County from our base at 6651 W 231st St in Bucyrus, Kansas. We reshape the ground so water moves away from your house, patio and walkways, and we handle the excavation, site prep and base work for concrete and hardscape projects, from Leawood and Overland Park down to Stilwell, Spring Hill and Louisburg. When a drainage problem has already damaged concrete, we fix the grade and replace the concrete in one job. Call (785) 776-1122 for a free estimate.
What Goes Into Drainage and Grading Work
Most jobs combine a few of these. We look at where the water comes from and where it needs to go before we move any dirt.
Yard Regrading
Reshaping the ground so rain runs away from the house instead of toward it.
Drainage Improvements
Water-management fixes that move runoff away from your foundation, patio and walkways.
Excavation
Digging out for patios, walls and slabs, with the spoils hauled off. See retaining walls.
Site Preparation
Clearing and rough grading so the ground is ready before concrete or hardscape goes in.
Base Preparation
A compacted gravel base built for the project going on top. See paver patios.
Soil and Material Removal
Hauling off dirt, old material and debris so the site is clean when we leave.
Request Free Quote
Free on-site walkthrough and a written price.
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Why Johnson County Yards Have Drainage Problems
Clay soil soaks up water slowly, so heavy rain runs across the surface instead of into the ground. Wherever the yard slopes toward the house, that water ends up at the foundation.
The soil right around a foundation can also settle over time, especially on newer lots built on backfill. A yard that sloped away when the house was built can end up flat or sloping back toward the walls, and that is when water finds the basement, washes out under slabs and cracks concrete.
Building code spells out the fix: the ground should fall at least 6 inches in the first 10 feet away from the foundation, and patios, walks and other hard surfaces near the house should slope at least 2 percent away from it. Where the lot is too tight for that, water has to be sent to a drain or swale. Regrading restores that slope, and if settled concrete is part of the problem, it gets replaced in the same job. See concrete replacement.
- Ground falls 6 inches in the first 10 feet
- Hard surfaces slope 2 percent away
- Water sent somewhere it can go
- 811 called before any digging
Why Homeowners Choose Modern Collar for Drainage and Grading
Drainage problems usually show up as something else: a wet basement, a sunken patio, a cracked walk. We fix the grade and the damage together, so you are not paying two companies to point at each other.
Grading and Concrete From One Company
We regrade and replace the damaged concrete in one job.
Proof in Our Reviews
A customer review describes the basement flooding and grading issues we worked through.
Excavation Is Part of Our Job
Digging, haul-off and base prep are in our scope.
The Owner Walks the Yard
Adler checks where the water goes and writes the estimate himself.
Our Drainage and Grading Process
Free estimates · Written price · Clean site
1
Walkthrough and Water Check
We walk the yard with you, look at where water collects and check the slope at the foundation.
2
Plan Where the Water Goes
We mark the new grades and decide where the runoff will end up.
3
Excavate and Regrade
We call 811, wait for the utility marks, then dig, move and haul off soil to set the new slope.
4
Final Grade and Cleanup
We compact and smooth the final grade, check the slope and clean up before the walkthrough.
Drainage and Grading Cost in Johnson County
Grading is priced by how much ground moves and how much soil comes in or goes out. These are typical ranges for 2026.
| Project | Typical range | What that covers |
|---|---|---|
| Regrading around a foundation | $1,000 to $3,000 | Reshaping the soil next to the house so it falls away from the walls. |
| Yard leveling or regrading | $1 to $2 per sq ft | Rough grading to remove a slope or contour a yard for drainage. |
| Fill dirt | $5 to $30 per cubic yard | Brought in to build up low spots and set the new slope. |
| Topsoil (Kansas City) | $30 to $50 per cubic yard | The finished layer of soil on top of the new grade. |
What Our Customers Say
4.9 on Google from 41 reviews.
Drainage and Grading Across Johnson County
In Leawood and north Overland Park, decades of settling can flatten the ground next to a foundation, so water that used to run off sits against the house. In Stilwell, Spring Hill and south Olathe, newer homes often sit on backfill that can keep settling for years. On acreage around Bucyrus and Louisburg, runoff from slopes and long drives is usually what needs a plan.
Drainage and Grading Questions
How much does it cost to regrade a yard?
Regrading around a foundation typically runs $1,000 to $3,000, and leveling or regrading a larger area runs about $1 to $2 per square foot, based on national averages. Kansas City grading labor runs about $40 to $75 an hour. Fill dirt and topsoil are extra. You get a written price after a free walkthrough.
Who fixes yard drainage in Johnson County?
Modern Collar is a family-owned concrete and hardscape contractor based in Bucyrus, Kansas, rated 4.9 on Google from 41 reviews. We regrade yards, fix drainage problems and handle excavation across Johnson County, including Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe, Stilwell and Spring Hill, and we replace concrete damaged by water in the same job.
How should the ground slope away from my house?
Building code calls for at least 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet away from the foundation. Where lot lines or walls make that impossible, the ground should slope at least 5 percent and the water should be sent to a drain or swale. Patios, walks and drives within 10 feet of the house should slope at least 2 percent away.
Do I need a permit to regrade my yard?
Small jobs usually do not. In Shawnee, for example, a Land Disturbance Permit is required when grading or fill is more than 50 cubic yards, or when the work is within 50 feet of a creek, channel or drainage way. Rules vary by city, so check yours before a big grading job.
Who calls 811 before digging?
Whoever is doing the digging. Kansas law requires a call to 811 at least two working days before digging starts, and the utility marks are good for 20 days. If a contractor starts digging before you see paint or flags in the yard, ask them to stop.
Can you fix water pooling by my patio or foundation?
Yes. We regrade the soil and make drainage improvements so water moves away from the house and the patio. If the water has already sunk or cracked the concrete, we can replace it in the same job.
Do you do excavation for patios and walls?
Yes. Excavation, site prep and base work for concrete and hardscape projects are part of what we do. See paver patios.
Get a Free Drainage and Grading Estimate
Call or text (785) 776-1122 or send the form. We will walk the yard with you, find where the water is going and send a written price to fix it.
