Seven M Helpful Tips

Have questions? We can help below are some commonly asked questions or contact us if you don't see what you are looking for.

How Do I Obtain A Final Grade?	How to do final grade
How Wide Is Your Bobcat?	Is The Topsoil Good For Gardens (Flowers)?
Is The Topsoil Treated?	What Do I Need To Know About Sod?
What Is Involved In Replacing Sod?	What Order Should I Do My Landscaping In?
When Do You Start Up?	When Is The Best Time To Install Topsoil?

How Do I Obtain A Final Grade?

Though this information is from the City of Edmonton, similar bylaws now apply in Sherwood Park and St. Albert

This stage must be initiated by the homeowner within one year of receiving Rough Grade Approval. The rough grade has an allowance of approximately 10 to 15cm (4" to 6") for topsoil for the lot. The topsoil should be smoothly spread out and compacted, ready for sod, liners, rocks etc. Note, if rocks, wood chips or other decorative material is planned, *the clay base (rough grade) should be raised to final grade before placing the decorative material down. Rock or wood chips do not make up for the 10 to 15cm of final grade, since surface water can flow through the material.

To apply for Final Grade Approval, the homeowner or homebuilder (where applicable) has the lot re-surveyed on final grade (on topsoil and/or sod) by an **Alberta Land Surveyor (ALS), Engineer or Architect, who prepares a Lot Grading Certificate. Two original documents of the Lot Grading Certificate are submitted to the Drainage Services branch of the Asset Management and Public Works Department for approval. The Lot Grading Certificate includes:

A legal size scaledrawing the lot and buildings measured in metric units and to geodetic datum.
All proposed surface elevations shown on the approved Surface Drainage Plan.
Existing surface elevations at the same points and locations as the proposed surface elevations.
Existing surface elevations adjacent to the foundation walls.
Property address, legal description, neighbourhood, applicant information and north arrow.
Legend, notes, structures (decks, steps or retaining walls) and easements or right-of-ways.

Two original documents of the Lot Grading Certificate for Final Grade is sent by the homeowner or homebuilder (where applicable) to the Drainage Services branch of the Asset Management and Public Works Department for approval. This can be done by mail, or dropped off to our office. A faxed document is acceptable to initiate the Final Grade Approval process; however, two originals are still required to complete the process.

Drainage Services will send a Lot Grading Inspector within 3 to 5 working days (depending on workload and weather conditions) to conduct a visual inspection on the lot to verify that the lot is graded in accordance with the approved Lot Grading Plan.

A Lot Grading Inspection Report will be sent to the homeowner or homebuilder (where applicable) indicating that the lot grading has Final Grade Approval or that deficiencies exist.

If deficiencies exist, the homeowner or homebuilder (where applicable) must correct the deficiencies within 60 days and notify Drainage Services for a re-inspection. Please note, if the Final Grade was completed by a Professional Landscaper, the homeowner or homebuilder (where applicable) is responsible for notifying the Landscaper. Once the Lot Grading Inspector finds that the lot grading is satisfactory, Final Grade Approval is issued. There are fees for additional inspections, which will be invoiced by Drainage Services. (See Schedule A of the Surface Drainage Bylaw No. 11501 for description of the fees.)

Notification of Final Grade Approval is issued when the Lot Grading Inspection Report is signed and dated by the Lot Grading Inspector and sent to the homeowner or homebuilder (where applicable). In addition, the Lot Grading Certificate will be stamped and signed by the Lot Grading Inspector and mailed to the homeowner. Please note that if the original documents of the Lot Grading Certificate are not received by Drainage Services or outstanding fees have not been paid, the Final Grade Approval will not be released.

*In most cases, it is more practical and cost effective to use topsoil as the final grade material under areas that are going to use decorative materials such as rock or wood chips.

**Normally you call the same surveyor that did your rough grade survey. They will charge you a fee for this.

Asset Management and Public Works
Drainage Services
5th Floor, Century Place
9803 - 102 A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3A3

Telephone numbers:
496-5576 - Information and Assistance (8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday)
496-5500 - Recorded Procedures, Messages and Request Line (24 Hours)
496-5541 - Drainage Services Main Reception
496-2865 - Drainage Services Fax Number
496-5444 - Drainage Services Water and Sewer Section
496-1717 - Drainage and Sewer Trouble

More Info

How to do final grade

Final grading involves shaping and sloping the topsoil and other finish materials (ie, patios) on the entire property so that proper drainage occurs from rainfall and snow melt. This link provides guidelines from the City of Edmonton on what is required in a variety of situations in order to achieve this goal:

http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents/ResidentialGuidelines.pdf

Disclaimer
Seven M Construction and it''s subsidiaries assume no responsibility for any consequeces from use of the information on this site or any external documents that may be referenced.

How Wide Is Your Bobcat?

Our bobcat needs a 72" clearance to get in. We do have access to a mini-bobcat with a 44" clearance when needed.

Is The Topsoil Good For Gardens (Flowers)?

While you can use straight topsoil for gardens and flowers, it is recommended that you use a garden mix. A garden mix consists of a mix usually of peat, sand and topsoil.

Is The Topsoil Treated?

No. But the topsoil we supply is as clean as is possible without sterilizing (a very expensive process). It comes from a stockpile that has been composting for approximately three years and has been screened down to minus 1/2 inch. The composting process takes care of the majority of the undesirable contaminents.

What Do I Need To Know About Sod?

In the Edmonton Area, by far the most used sod mix is Kentucky Blue Grass with a little Red Fesque usually 10-20%.

For new homes, sod should be installed after you receive your Final Grade Certificate. The normal process for new homes is as follows:

Deliver and spread topsoil with a bobcat.
Rake the soil to final grade.
Get certificate
Order sod
Roll the soil flat with a roller
Lay the sod

Sod should be laid within 48 hrs of delivery.

After the sod is laid:

Saturate the sodded area immediately
NOTE - One liter of water in the first hour does more than six liters, three hours later
Water daily for four days, then every second day for four days.
Watering in the morning will keep sod moist throughout the warmest part of the day until sod is rooted
Transplanted turf grass should be fertilized with a turf starter formulation containing High Phosphate (e.g. 10-30-10)
Never apply Weed & Feed or similar product to newly installed sod
Your new lawn can be mowed in about 7 days. Never remove more than a 1/3 of the leaf height at one time and maintain your lawn at 1-1/2" in height.

What Is Involved In Replacing Sod?

As you can guess, first measuring the area that is to be replaced. This will give you an idea of how much you'll need to purchase. The old sod will need to be removed with a bobcat and hauled away. Depending on the condition and depth of the soil that's left underneath, you may need to add some fresh topsoil. The area will then need to be raked before laying the new sod.

So you're looking at buying the sod itself, bobcat time for the removal, trucking time for the haul-out, if required-one or more loads of topsoil, labor for the rake-out and finally, the laying of the new sod. You can save some money by doing the rake-out and sod laying yourself.

What Order Should I Do My Landscaping In?

We recommend landscaping be done in the following order:

Concrete, patios, retaining walls
Fence posts, deck pilings
Topsoil, sod, rock, trees, shrubs
Deck

You can do the deck earlier on but if you do, ensure that there is proper grading under the deck.
Improper grading will fail the final grade inspection and may add to the cost of the final grade.

When Do You Start Up?

When we start depends almost entirely on the weather. When the frost is out of the ground enough for us to scoop it up and screen it, then we can start. In 2000 we started up in mid April but then were shut down again by two weeks of rain. Keep in mind that we cannot deliver in rainy weather.

Sod generally won't be ready until mid to late May. The season generally runs until late October and possibly into November, depending of course on the weather.

When Is The Best Time To Install Topsoil?

Basically anytime between the end of winter, when the frost is out of the ground and the beginning of the next winter. In 2002, we delivered topsoil until the beginning of December. It has to be dry enough that you can walk in the area to be covered without getting mud on your shoes. And it's best if there is little or no wind.