Dirtwork term
Finish Grade
also called: final grade, FG
The final surface elevation a site is brought to before turf, paving, or other surface treatment goes on top.
Finish grade is the last pass of dirtwork on a site, after structural sub-grade prep, after backfilling, after the heavy stuff is done. The surface gets brought to the elevation that's specified, smooth and consistent enough for what's going on top (sod, decomposed granite, asphalt, mulch).
For a residential yard, finish grade slopes away from the foundation at a specified percentage (usually 5% for the first 10 feet) to keep surface water from finding the structure. For a commercial site, finish grade is set to drain to inlets and meet ADA accessibility tolerances on paved surfaces.
Most callbacks on residential dirtwork are finish-grade related, a low spot that ponds water, a ridge that channels runoff toward the foundation, a transition that doesn't blend smoothly into existing grade. Getting it right the first time is cheaper than getting called back.
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Related terms
Other words that come up alongside this one
Sub-grade
The natural soil surface that supports everything you build on top of it, pad, road base, slab.
Pad
Prepared, compacted area of ground sized and elevated for a structure to be built on top of it.
Swale
A shallow, vegetated ditch shaped to carry surface water away from a structure or down a property line.
Compaction
Mechanical pressing of soil to reduce air voids, increase density, and provide a stable surface.
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