Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Ranked

Managing water on your property is a critical part of homeownership in Fort Lauderdale. With our subtropical climate and intense seasonal rains, effective yard drainage and proper land grading are essential to prevent foundation damage, eliminate standing water that breeds mosquitoes, and protect your landscaping investment. This guide will help you understand the common water management solutions used locally, from simple grading adjustments to complex subsurface drainage systems, so you can identify issues and connect with qualified professionals to solve them.

Green Land Design, Inc

miami

Green Land Design, Inc is a landscaping and outdoor living company based in Miami, FL, serving South Florida communities including Pembroke Pines, Davie, Cooper City, Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Wellington, and Boca Raton. They offer a range of services such as landscape design and installation, hardscaping including patios and pergolas, drainage systems, irrigation, and synthetic turf installation. With over 14 years of experience, the team specializes in creating sustainable and functional outdoor spaces tailored to the local climate. Their expertise includes custom hardscaping and water management solutions to enhance property value and durability.

4.9

67 Reviews

RFM Landscaping

miami

RFM Landscaping is a family-owned landscaping company serving Miami, FL, and the surrounding South Florida counties including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe. They provide a wide range of services for residential, commercial, and HOA properties, including lawn care, landscape design, tree services, irrigation installation and repair, drainage solutions, and hardscaping such as pavers and fencing. Their team is experienced in managing South Florida's unique climate challenges, offering eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping solutions. RFM Landscaping also specializes in storm and hurricane cleanup to help restore properties after severe weather.

4.7

92 Reviews

Driveway & Paver Solutions

5420 NW 114th Ave Ste 102, Doral, FL 33178

Driveway & Paver Solutions is a hardscaping and landscaping company based in Miami, FL, offering design, permit processing, and installation services for outdoor projects. They specialize in driveway installation, pool decks, patios, walkways, pergolas, retaining walls, and artificial turf, serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Led by a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience, the company ensures compliance with local codes and HOA requirements. Their expertise includes permeable paver systems designed for Miami-Dade's drainage regulations. They provide in-house permit handling and a one-year warranty on materials and workmanship.

5.0

20 Reviews

Beast grading and Junk Removal

11083 Boston Dr, Cooper City, FL 33026

Beast grading and Junk Removal is a yard drainage, grading, and land clearing contractor based in Miami, FL. They provide services including junk removal, light demolition, debris hauling, estate and garage cleanouts, and skid steer work such as driveway grading and soil resurfacing. The company serves residential and commercial clients across Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Beast grading and Junk Removal offers 24-hour availability to assist with disaster response and other urgent cleanup needs.

5.0

15 Reviews

Harold's Paving & Drainage INC

1450 NE 201st Terrace, Miami, FL 33179

Harold's Paving & Drainage INC is a paving and drainage contractor based in Miami, FL, offering services for both residential and commercial properties. With over 25 years of experience, they provide a wide range of solutions including asphalt and concrete paving, drainage system installation, sealcoating, and excavation. Their expertise includes managing stormwater and sewer systems to ensure effective drainage and durable surfaces. Harold's Paving & Drainage INC emphasizes quality workmanship and uses modern techniques to meet client needs.

5.0

3 Reviews

See more providers in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Why Proper Drainage is Critical in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale's flat topography, high water table, and heavy rainfall-averaging over 60 inches annually-create a perfect storm for drainage problems ¹. Without a well-designed system, water can pool in low spots, saturate soil for days, and relentlessly push against your home's foundation. Over time, this leads to cracked slabs, flooded crawl spaces, ruined lawns, and even interior water damage. Furthermore, the City of Fort Lauderdale has regulations regarding stormwater management to reduce flooding and pollution, making compliant drainage solutions not just a good idea, but often a necessity ¹. Investing in proper grading and drainage protects your property's value and your family's health by controlling moisture and pests.

Common Yard Drainage Problems and Their Signs

How do you know if you need drainage work? Look for these telltale signs during or after a heavy rain:

• Persistent Puddling: Water that stands for more than 24 hours after a storm, especially in the same spots in your lawn or near patios.
• Soil Erosion: Gullies or washed-away soil in planting beds or along the base of your home.
• Soggy, Spongy Lawn: Areas of grass that feel mushy underfoot long after the rain has stopped.
• Water in the Crawl Space or Basement: Musty odors, efflorescence (white, chalky residue on walls), or visible water intrusion.
• Foundation Cracks: New or widening cracks in your home's exterior or interior walls, often caused by expanding and contracting saturated soil.
• Mosquito Infestations: Standing water is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Core Solutions for Water Management

Professional drainage contractors in Fort Lauderdale use a combination of techniques tailored to a property's specific issues. Here are the most common and effective systems.

Grading and Sloping: The First Line of Defense

This is the process of reshaping the soil around your home to create a gentle, consistent slope (typically a minimum 2% grade) that directs surface water away from the foundation and toward a suitable discharge point, like a street gutter, swale, or drainage easement ^{2 3}. Regrading is often the most fundamental fix for homes where the land has settled or was improperly graded during construction. It involves moving significant amounts of soil with heavy equipment and is usually done in conjunction with other drainage solutions.

Swales and Channels

A swale is a broad, shallow, vegetated ditch designed to collect and channel runoff. They are a natural-looking solution often used along property perimeters or in low-lying areas to guide water toward the street or a drainage inlet ^{1 4}. In Fort Lauderdale, swales in the public right-of-way (the area between the sidewalk and street) are often the homeowner's responsibility to maintain, keeping them free of debris and properly vegetated ¹.

French Drains: Tackling Subsurface Water

When the problem is a perpetually soggy lawn or water seeping into a basement, a French drain is often the answer. This involves digging a trench, laying a perforated pipe wrapped in filter fabric, and filling it with gravel ⁵. The system intercepts groundwater and redirects it safely away from the problem area. They are incredibly effective for dealing with Fort Lauderdale's high water table and are commonly installed along foundation footings or in low spots in the yard.

Catch Basins and Slot Drains

For hard surfaces like driveways, patios, and pool decks where water can't soak in, surface drainage is key. A catch basin is a grated inlet installed at a low point that connects to an underground pipe system, quickly capturing runoff and funneling it away ^{6 7}. Slot drains are a more discreet, linear option often set into pavement. These are crucial for preventing flooding on impervious surfaces.

Downspout Management and Drain Lines

Your roof sheds a massive amount of water. If downspouts simply dump this water next to your foundation, you're asking for trouble. Solutions include adding long extensions to discharge water further into the yard or, more effectively, connecting downspouts to solid, buried drain pipes (called downspout drains or conductor lines) that carry the water to a safe discharge point like a street gutter or dry well ⁸.

Dry Wells and Infiltration Systems

Where can you send all that collected water if you can't drain it to the street? A dry well is an underground chamber filled with gravel or a specialized crate that acts as a holding tank ⁶. It collects water from downspouts or drainage pipes and allows it to slowly percolate back into the surrounding soil. This is an excellent solution for properties with poor percolation or where direct discharge isn't feasible.

The Professional Drainage Project: From Assessment to Maintenance

A successful drainage installation is a multi-step process that ensures a long-lasting solution.

1. Site Assessment and Diagnosis: A reputable contractor will visit during or shortly after a rain to observe water flow, identify sources, and test soil. They may also check city records for easements and existing drainage infrastructure.
2. System Design and Planning: Using their observations, they will design a integrated system, which may combine several of the solutions above. This plan will account for flow rates, pipe sizing, slopes, and discharge locations. For work involving swales in the right-of-way or significant piping, a permit from the City of Fort Lauderdale may be required ^{1 9}.
3. Installation: This is the construction phase, involving excavation, soil moving for grading, trenching for pipes, setting basins and wells, and carefully compacting backfill to prevent future settling.
4. Restoration and Landscaping: Once pipes are in and grading is complete, the contractor will restore the area with topsoil and sod, seed, or new plantings. For swales, they will often install appropriate erosion-control grass.
5. Ongoing Maintenance: Like any system, drainage requires occasional upkeep. Homeowners should regularly clear debris from catch basin grates, ensure downspout connections are intact, and avoid compacting soil over buried drains ⁸.

Understanding the Investment: Yard Drainage Costs

The cost for drainage work in Fort Lauderdale varies widely based on the yard's size, the problem's severity, and the solutions chosen. Here's a general range based on common project scopes ^{10 11}:

• Localized Repairs/Regrading: Small-scale fixes or regrading a section near the foundation can start around $500 to $2,000.
• French Drains: Typically priced by the linear foot, installation costs generally range from $10 to $50 per foot, depending on depth and difficulty.
• Catch Basins: A single plastic basin installed can cost $200 to $500, while larger, more durable concrete basins range from $2,000 to $5,000 each.
• Comprehensive Yard-Wide System: For a full property solution combining grading, multiple French drains, catch basins, and downspout drainage, homeowners can expect to invest $2,500 to $15,000 or more.

While these figures provide a benchmark, the only way to get an accurate cost for your specific situation is to obtain detailed assessments and quotes from licensed, experienced drainage contractors in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Choosing the Right Professional for the Job

Not every landscaper is equipped to handle complex drainage engineering. When seeking help, look for professionals who specialize in grading and drainage solutions. They should:

• Offer a thorough site evaluation and explain the source of your water problem.
• Provide a clear, detailed plan and quote.
• Understand local Fort Lauderdale codes and permitting requirements.
• Have experience installing the specific type of system you need (e.g., subsurface drainage, swale construction, etc.).
• Carry proper licensing and insurance.

A well-executed drainage system is an invisible asset, working quietly to keep your property dry, stable, and healthy for decades to come.

Frequently asked questions

Sources