Regrading, french drains and dry creek beds
Grading and Drainage in Northbrook, IL
Landscape grading and drainage for homes in Northbrook, IL and across the North Shore. We regrade yards and build French drains, dry creek beds and downspout lines that move water away from the house.
Planned and built by one team
Northbrook, IL
Landscape Grading and Drainage for Wet Yards
North Shore Landscape Design & Build fixes grading and drainage from our office at 900 Skokie Blvd #219 in Northbrook, for homes in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka and Wilmette.
Standing water on the lawn, a soggy side yard or water running toward the foundation are signs the yard is not moving water where it should. Fixing the grade and drainage often comes first, before a patio or a new garden.
What we build
Drainage Solutions We Design and Build
Most wet yards need more than one of these, planned together.
Regrading Away From the House
Reshaping the soil so the ground slopes away from the foundation and toward a safe outlet.
French Drains
A gravel trench with a perforated pipe that collects water underground and carries it away.
Dry Creek Beds
A river rock channel that moves surface water across the yard and looks like a natural stream bed.
Downspout Lines
Buried pipes that carry roof water from the downspouts away from the house to a safe outlet.
Planning
How a Drainage Plan Is Made
Before any digging, the plan answers:
- Where the water comes from: the roof, the neighbors, a slope or a high water table
- Where it can safely and legally go
- Grade measurements around the house and across the yard
- The right fix for each problem area
- How the work ties into a future patio or garden
Built for North Shore winters
Why North Shore Yards Hold Water
Much of the Chicago area sits on heavy clay soil that drains slowly. After a storm or a spring thaw, the water has nowhere to go, so it sits on the lawn or runs to the lowest point, which is sometimes the house.
Clay soil
Water soaks in slowly, so lawns can stay soggy for days after rain.
Flat lots and settled soil
Many older lots have little slope, and settled soil around the foundation can tip water back toward the house.
Frozen ground
In late winter, snowmelt runs over frozen soil instead of soaking in.
How it works
Our Grading & Drainage Process
- 1
1. Site visit after rain
We look at where water collects, where it comes from and where it can go.
- 2
2. Plan and estimate
You get a drainage plan with grades, drains and outlets and a written estimate.
- 3
3. Grade and dig
We regrade the soil and dig the trenches for drains and lines.
- 4
4. Install, restore and walkthrough
We set the pipe and stone, restore the lawn and walk the finished work with you.
Why us
Why Hire North Shore Landscape for Drainage
One team plans and builds
Drainage designed with the patio, walls and planting to come.
Based in Northbrook
Our office is on Skokie Blvd, and we work across the North Shore.
The cause, not just the puddle
Each fix starts with where the water comes from.
A written estimate first
You know the plan and price before work starts.
Pricing
How Much Does Grading and Drainage Cost in Northbrook?
Price depends on the size of the problem area, how much soil has to move, the length of drains and lines and access to the yard. As a national reference, Lawn Love puts a French drain at about $5,000 on average, with most between $2,800 and $6,500, or about $10 to $75 per linear foot outside (market ranges, not a quote). Regrading and dry creek beds are priced by the area.
For a price on your yard in Northbrook, send the form and we will set up a site visit and a written estimate.
Keep exploring
Related Services
Retaining Walls
Custom retaining walls that hold back slopes, level the yard and add seating or planting beds.
Retaining Walls
Garden Design
Planting plans with beds, trees and perennials chosen for the light and space in your yard.
Garden Design
Patio Installation
Paver and natural stone patios built on a compacted base, sized for dining, lounging or a fire pit.
Patio Installation
Service areas
Grading and Drainage Near You on the North Shore
We fix grading and drainage in Northbrook and these nearby towns:
Questions
Grading & Drainage FAQ
How do I know if my yard needs grading or a drain?
Water that stands on the lawn for more than a day, soggy areas that never dry out, or water running toward the house after rain are the usual signs. A site visit shows whether the fix is regrading, a drain or both.
What is a French drain?
A French drain is a trench filled with gravel around a perforated pipe. Water from the soil around it seeps into the pipe and flows to an outlet, so the area above stays drier.
Can you fix water pooling near my foundation?
Regrading the soil so it slopes away from the house and extending the downspouts are often the first fixes. Water inside the basement is a different job for a waterproofing contractor.
Is a dry creek bed just decorative?
No. A dry creek bed carries water across the yard when it rains and looks like a natural stream bed the rest of the time, so it works as drainage and as part of the garden.
Do I need a permit to change the grade of my yard?
Some villages regulate grading changes and where water can be sent, especially near property lines. Northbrook and the other North Shore villages set their own rules, so checking them is part of planning the work.
How much does yard drainage cost?
It depends on the size of the problem and the fix. National ranges from Lawn Love put a French drain at about $2,800 to $6,500. For your yard in Northbrook, send the form for a written estimate.
Free estimate
Get a Free Drainage Estimate in Northbrook
Tell us where water collects in your yard. We will get back to you to set up a site visit and an estimate.