If you’ve ever driven past a brand-new house in Victor, Driggs, Tetonia, or Alta and noticed standing water in the yard, soil sliding toward the driveway, or mud creeping onto the sidewalk, chances are final grading wasn’t done right — or at all.

It might not be the most glamorous part of a build, but final grading is critical to your home’s long-term health and resale value. And skipping it (or rushing it) will cost you way more than doing it right the first time.

What Is Final Grading?

Final grading is the precise shaping of the soil around your home after all major construction is done. It’s not just smoothing out dirt — it’s creating intentional slopes so water drains away from your foundation, driveway, and walkways.

Shawn at ParkFab uses laser levels and years of local site work experience to make sure your lot sheds water in the right direction — because in Teton Valley’s freeze-thaw climate, the wrong slope will wreck things fast.

What Happens If You Skip It?

Here’s what you’re risking if you skip or skimp on final grading:

  • Foundation damage – Water pooling against your house seeps down and freezes in winter, causing cracks and shifting.

  • Basement leaks – Even with waterproofing, constant water pressure from bad drainage will find a way in.

  • Icy hazards – Poor grading creates low spots where meltwater freezes into dangerous ice sheets.

  • Dead landscaping – Plants drown when water can’t drain.

  • Erosion & property loss – Without proper slopes, spring runoff can strip away soil and undermine driveways or patios.

And here’s the kicker — fixing any of these after the fact can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Why It’s Extra Important in Teton Valley

We’re not dealing with gentle rainstorms here. We get deep snow, sudden spring melts, and hard freezes down to -40°F. In summer, you can see temps swing up into the 90s. That kind of weather abuse means water management has to be dialed in from day one.

Shawn doesn’t just eyeball it — he reads your soils, understands your drainage patterns, and works with the reality of rocky, varied terrain in the Valley. He makes sure your final grade will hold up year after year, not just look good for the final inspection.

Why You Want a Pro (Not a Shortcut)

Some contractors treat final grading as “just moving dirt” — but Shawn treats it like insurance for your home. He:

  • Coordinates with other subs so grading isn’t destroyed by last-minute work.

  • Uses proper compaction so your grade doesn’t settle and fail.

  • Plans for both winter snow load and spring runoff.

  • Knows county code and best practices for water drainage in Victor, Driggs, Tetonia, and Alta.

Bottom Line

Skipping final grading is like leaving your roof half-finished — the problems aren’t if, they’re when.

Work with someone who understands both excavation and the unique demands of building in Teton Valley. Shawn at ParkFab delivers grading that protects your investment from day one.

📞 Call Shawn at 208-360-2411
📧 shawn@parkfab.com