Grading, Land Leveling & Yard Drainage
Moving dirt so the ground sits the way it needs to — flat where flat matters, and sloped where water has to go somewhere.
- Free estimates
- Owner-run by James
- Illinois Valley to the Quad Cities
Grading & Land Leveling, step by step
Yards that hold water
A lawn that stays soggy a week after rain usually has a grade problem, a compaction problem, or no outlet. Fixing it is a matter of re-establishing fall and giving the water a route off the property.
Lawn leveling
Ruts, old fill that settled, ground that’s too rough to mow without beating up the machine and the operator. Cut, fill, level, and finish.
Lots, drives and paddocks
Any surface that has to sit true — an equipment lot, a shed apron, an approach to a building, or ground that has to drain rather than pond.
Grading & Land Leveling near you
Regular work through the Illinois Valley, north to Sterling and Dixon and west into the Quad Cities. See the full service area.
Grading by town
Illinois Valley
Northwest IL & Quad Cities
Grading & Land Leveling on real jobs
Every photo here is from a real OPS job. See more recent work.
Grading & Land Leveling questions
Not seeing yours? Call or text (815) 240-9065 and ask James, or read the common questions.
What does a job cost?
It depends on acreage, how thick the growth is, how big the material is, the terrain, and how hard the site is to get equipment into. Two properties of the same acreage can be a full day apart in work. That’s why estimates are free and why it’s worth looking at the ground rather than quoting off a map.
How long does a job take?
Small jobs — a fence row, an overgrown lot, a driveway regrade — are often a day or less. An acre of heavy, mature growth takes considerably longer than an acre of light brush. You’ll get a realistic time estimate along with the price, not an optimistic one.
How do I get an estimate?
Call or text, or send the form on the contact page. The details that help most up front: roughly how many acres, how thick it is, what’s growing on it, whether a truck and trailer can get in, and when you’d like it done.
What size jobs do you take?
Anything from a single overgrown lot up to multi-acre clearing and full site work. Smaller jobs closer to home are easy to fit in; smaller jobs at the far edge of the service area are best paired with other work in the same week.
What usually goes with it
Most jobs start with the mulcher and end somewhere else. All services.
What people say after
Word for word from the OPS Google Business Profile. Recent jobs are on Facebook.
“James has done a wonderful job for us. He is timely, efficient and willing to travel where needed. You will not be disappointed.”
“OPS does what they say they’ll do, and do it efficiently and at a fair price. You’ll be glad you hired them.”
“James is a good communicator… he has some super equipment and for sure endeavors to do a great job. He recently rototilled some property for me… then planted it with oats and grass seed. Now it can rain all it wants!!”
“OPS did an amazing job on our property. We hired them to install a drainage system for our pool area, level the ground…”
From First Call to Usable Ground
Call or Text
Call or text (815) 240-9065 or send the form. Roughly how many acres, what is growing and whether a truck and trailer can get in.
We Look at the Ground
James looks at the ground before he gives you a number, so the estimate fits the job in front of him.
The Work Gets Done
We agree on what comes out and what stays. Then the machines go to work, with James running them.
Ground You Can Use
You are left with ground you can walk, mow, build on or farm, and the topsoil stays where it belongs.
Need grading and land leveling?
Tell us roughly how many acres, how thick it is, and whether a truck and trailer can get to it. That’s usually enough for a real number.
Straight to James. No call center.
Got a piece of ground?
Tell us roughly how many acres, how thick it is, and whether a truck and trailer can get to it. That’s usually enough for a real number.