By HomeGuide's 2026 national figures, leveling a small yard costs $500 to $1,000 and an average back yard $1,000 to $5,000, while clearing land runs $1,200 to $8,000 per acre. In New Orleans, grading usually means raising a yard that has settled below the street.
Prices here are HomeGuide's published national ranges, not quotes from our company. In New Orleans, groundwater, soft soil, narrow streets, buried debris and the trip to the dump site move the real cost. Checked October 2026.
What does it cost to level a yard in New Orleans?
To level a yard costs $500 to $5,000 on HomeGuide's national numbers, or $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot, with $2,300 as the average. One side of the house runs $500 to $1,000 and all the way around $1,000 to $3,000. Here, the fill that has to be brought in to raise the yard is often a large part of the price.
| Yard area | Finish grading | Rough grading |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
How do I know my yard needs regrading?
A yard needs regrading when it stays wet long after the street has drained, when water sits under a raised house, or when the ground has sunk around the slab and walks. In New Orleans, the lawn sinking below the sidewalk or the driveway is a sure sign the yard has settled.
The ground slopes toward my house: what does regrading cost?
When the ground slopes toward the house, HomeGuide's figures put regrading at $500 to $1,000 for a side and $1,000 to $3,000 for the whole house. We add compacted fill where the yard has sunk, then shape a steady fall to the street or a side swale.
Rough grading vs finish grading: what is the difference?
Rough grading moves and shapes the bulk of the soil, and finish grading smooths the top layer for sod, seed or a slab. HomeGuide lists rough grading at $1 to $2 a square foot and fine grading at $0.40 to $1.00. Raising a low lot needs rough work first, then a finish pass.
What does leveling a sloped yard or a levee bank cost?
Cutting down a slope or a mound is a $1,000 to $5,000 job in HomeGuide's national figures. True slopes are rare in New Orleans, but lots near the river levee, canal banks and the north shore bayous can have them. Work close to a levee or a parish drainage canal may need approval from the levee district or the parish first.
How much does it cost to level ground for an above-ground pool?
Leveling for an above-ground pool costs $200 to $850, per HomeGuide. On soft New Orleans soil, we cut down to firm ground rather than building up a pad of loose fill, because the weight of the water will press loose fill down unevenly.
What does it cost to prepare a lot to build a house?
Preparing a lot for a house adds up several jobs that HomeGuide prices one by one: clearing at $1,200 to $8,000 per acre, a foundation pad at $1,500 to $10,000 and grading for new construction at $1,000 to $5,000. In New Orleans, removing old slabs, raising the pad to the required elevation and drainage often matter most.
How long does it take to clear and grade a lot?
Most city lots take a few days to a week or two to clear and grade. HomeGuide's timing is 1 to 3 days for small digs and roughly 3 days to a week for grading. Rain is the usual delay here, and fill for a new pad may need time to settle before building, as the engineer directs.
What does land clearing cost per acre around New Orleans?
HomeGuide's land clearing page puts clearing at $1,200 to $8,000 per acre: $1,200 to $2,500 for light clearing, $2,500 to $4,500 for moderate and $4,500 to $8,000 for heavy. Small overgrown city lots are priced by the job; wooded acreage on the north shore is priced by the acre.
| Lot size | HomeGuide national range |
|---|---|
| 1/8 acre | $600 to $2,000 |
| 1/4 acre | $800 to $3,000 |
| 1 acre | $1,200 to $8,000 |
| 2 acres | $1,900 to $15,000 |
How much to clear heavily wooded land?
HomeGuide lists heavy clearing of dense trees at $4,500 to $8,000 per acre. Pine woods around Slidell and Mandeville and thick bottomland hardwoods near the bayous fit that range.
What does clearing brush and small trees cost?
On HomeGuide's figures, brush removal costs $800 to $3,000 per acre, and removing one tree $400 to $1,200. Overgrown city lots with tallow trees, hackberry and vines are typical brush jobs here, often with old slabs underneath.
What does forestry mulching cost, and can cleared brush be mulched on site?
HomeGuide has forestry mulching at $500 to $1,000 or more an acre. Yes, brush can be ground and left on the lot. On a low, wet lot, a thick mulch layer holds moisture, so we spread it thin or haul it where a pad or drive will go.
Can you clear land without pulling every stump?
Yes. Stumps need to come out only where a pad, a drive or a building will go. In yard areas they can be cut flush or ground, at $2 to $6 per inch of diameter by HomeGuide's figures.
What size machine do I need for clearing?
A compact track loader with a mulching head handles brush and small trees. Large trees and old slabs need a mid-size excavator. On soft ground, tracked machines with wide pads sink less than wheeled ones. We choose after seeing how wet the lot is and how the machine gets in.
Want a number for your own lot? We come by, look at the ground and the drainage, and send a written quote. Call or text (504) 608-4795.