Frequently Asked Questions

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Unique Dirtworks provides professional final grading for homeowners in Leduc, Edmonton, and surrounding areas. We are familiar with the specific drainage bylaws and inspection requirements for both municipalities to ensure your project is compliant and your deposit is returned. 

Unique Dirtworks was established in 2025 to bring professional, industrial-standard grading to the residential market. Backed by 17+ years of experience in heavy equipment and site supervision, we provide the technical expertise of a large-scale contractor with the personal touch of a local Leduc business.
 

We offer a wide range of landscaping services including final grading (with certificate), sod installation, ground covering, trees and shrubs.

A Final Grade Certificate is a legal document prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor that confirms your property’s elevations and slopes match the City of Leduc’s approved drainage plan.

To obtain your Final Grade Certificate in Leduc, follow these four direct steps:

1. Complete the Grading: Hire a contractor to spread and compact topsoil according to the approved drainage plan.
2. Hire a Surveyor: Once the dirt work is done, a professional land surveyor must visit your property to measure the elevations and prepare a Form C (Certificate of As-Built Grades).
3. Submit to the City: Send the surveyor’s certificate and the required application fee to the City of Leduc Engineering Department.
4. City Inspection: A municipal inspector will visit the site to verify the work. If it passes, the City will issue the final approval, which you can then use to claim your landscaping deposits.

The final grading process turns a "rough" construction site into a finished, drainable yard. Here are the steps:  

• Prep the Base: Ensure the rough grade (clay) is set 10–20 cm below the final design height to leave room for topsoil.
• Import Topsoil: Bring in high-quality screened topsoil and spread it across the lot.
• Shaping & Sloping: Grade the soil to create a minimum 2% slope away from the foundation and toward the city-approved drainage points (swales).
• Compaction: Roll or pack the soil slightly so it doesn't settle or sink after the first rain.
• Fine Leveling: Remove any rocks, clumps, or debris to create a smooth surface ready for sod or seed.
• Certification: Call a surveyor to verify the heights and slopes match the City drainage plan.

Yes, while both follow Alberta's building codes, the City of Edmonton has specific drainage bylaws and inspection timelines. We ensure your lot meets both city-specific standards.

Yes. Obtaining Final Grade Approval is the mandatory first step toward getting your landscaping deposit back. As well as meeting the developers landscaping architectural requirements.

The best time to lay sod in the Edmonton and Leduc area is from late April to June or late August through September. These cooler windows allow the new grass to establish deep roots with less "transplant shock" and lower water requirements than the hot summer months.

It is best to stay off your new Leduc landscaping for at least 2 to 3 weeks. This allows the roots to knit into the topsoil. If you can lift a corner of the sod and feel resistance, the roots have taken hold, and the lawn is ready for light traffic and its first mow.

 In Leduc and Edmonton, sod installation costs typically range from $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot, depending on the size of the lot and the amount of topsoil prep required as well as quality of grass you choose to use. Unique Dirtworks provides competitive quotes that often include final grading and sod as a bundled package to save you money.

Some high-end Edmonton landscapers are quoting as high as $3.00 – $7.00 per sq. ft. if they have to do extensive excavation (removing old grass). Since you are likely working on new builds with bare dirt, your costs are much lower, which gives you a huge competitive advantage to highlight on your site.

To get your deposit back in Leduc or Edmonton, you must follow these three steps:

1. Pass Final Grade: Obtain your Final Grade Certificate and City approval (Unique Dirtworks handles the prep for this).
2. Complete Landscaping: Install your sod, trees, and shrubs as per your neighborhood’s specific architectural guidelines.
3. Request Inspection: Submit your City approval and photos of your finished yard to your Home Builder. They will schedule a "Developer Inspection." Once approved, your refund check is typically issued within 6–8 weeks.