I need someone to come to my house and help show me how I can help
stop (well, slowdown) the flow of water away from our house and
driveway. I don't know what kind of service (?) to call to help solve
this ongoing problem.  Do we put in a tar and chip driveway to slow
down the water on the driveway (directed towards our house) or put in
blacktop so we don't have the stones, but faster water?  A drainage
system???????

Thanks for asking!

Generally, you'd call a Grading Contractor. For a single residential
project, you'll probably find that contracting specialties are
combined, and grading services are offered by paving or excavating
contractors.

If it were my own graveled driveway, I'd call a particular excavator
who has a good reputation for solving homesite drainage problems, and
a variety of equipment (from a D8 Cat to backhoe and trenchers)
available for the job.

I would expect that the contractor would come out for a consultation.
Depending on the situation, there might be several possible solutions
involving grading, the addition of fill material around the home
itself, or drainage channels to divert water around critical areas.
Even knowing a contractor, I'd seek at least one competitive bid.



In California, where I live, the state calls this sub-specialty
Earthwork and Paving Contractors: "An earthwork and paving contractor
digs, moves, and places material forming the surface of the earth,
other than water, in such a manner that a cut, fill, excavation,
grade, trench, backfill, or tunnel (if incidental thereto) can be
executed, including the use of explosives for these purposes. This
classification includes the mixing, fabricating and placing of paving
and any other surfacing materials."

http://www.cslb.ca.gov/licensing/c12.asp

Nevada calls the specialty Excavating and Grading: "EXCAVATING AND
GRADING: The digging, movement and placement of material forming the
surface of the earth, other than water, with hand and power tools,
machines and explosives to cut, fill, excavate, grade, backfill and
perform other similar excavating, grading and trenching operations."

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-624.html#NAC624Sec140



You can learn more about the types of services offered by Contractors
offered in this Google Directory category:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Construction_and_Maintenance/Commercial_Contractors/Excavation/

Your own state's website will likely have information on Contractor
Licensing that might be useful in selecting a local contractor, or
investigating credentials.



Besides the local phonebook, you can look for a contractor via:

Your local Chamber of Commerce
Better Business Bureau
Local Business Directory
Word of mouth recommendations

Google (Local Version)
http://local.google.com/lochp

SmartPages.com
http://www.smartpages.com/


I hope you find this information helpful. I'll be glad to help
identify local resources for locating contractors, if you desire.
Should you have any questions about the materials or links provided,
please, feel free to ask.

---larre



Search Strategy/Search Terms
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal knowledge

"grading contractor"
"excavation contractor"