Grading & Landscaping Rates in Canada
2025 contractor rates for site prep, grading, and earthwork
Skid steer grading and landscaping in Canada costs $85-$250 per hour for a machine with operator. The national average is $100-$145/hr. Rates are essentially the same as base wet-hire rates since grading uses a standard bucket. Vancouver commands the highest rates ($125-$250/hr) while Atlantic Canada sits at the lower end ($80-$130/hr).
Grading & Earthwork Rates by City
| City | Province | Low | High | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver/Lower Mainland | BC | $125/hr | $250/hr | High |
| Toronto/GTA | ON | $95/hr | $150/hr | High |
| Calgary | AB | $100/hr | $145/hr | High |
| Edmonton | AB | $100/hr | $125/hr | High |
| Regina | SK | $125/hr | $150/hr | High |
| Ottawa | ON | $110/hr | $140/hr | Medium |
| Montreal | QC | $95/hr | $150/hr | Medium |
| Winnipeg | MB | $90/hr | $125/hr | Medium |
| Victoria | BC | $115/hr | $225/hr | Medium |
| Kelowna | BC | $110/hr | $200/hr | Medium |
| Hamilton | ON | $100/hr | $130/hr | Medium |
| Saskatoon | SK | $100/hr | $135/hr | Medium |
| Halifax | NS | $85/hr | $130/hr | Low-Medium |
| Red Deer | AB | $95/hr | $125/hr | Medium |
| Lethbridge | AB | $90/hr | $120/hr | Low |
| Moncton | NB | $80/hr | $125/hr | Medium-Low |
Rates include machine, operator, and fuel. Excludes mobilization ($100-$750) and applicable taxes. Most operators enforce a 3-4 hour minimum with $200 minimum service charge.
Common Grading & Landscaping Jobs
Lot Grading & Leveling
Typical residential lot: 4-8 hours at $100-150/hr = $400-$1,200. Includes rough grading for drainage slope and basic leveling. Final grade for sod is additional.
Driveway Prep
Standard driveway base prep: 2-4 hours = $250-$600. Excavation, grading for drainage, and base compaction. Gravel/asphalt material is extra.
Topsoil Spreading
Spreading delivered topsoil: Standard hourly rate. A skid steer can spread and grade 10-15 yards of topsoil per hour on open ground.
Excavation & Backfill
Pool excavation, foundation backfill, utility trenching - all charged at standard wet-hire rate. Complex jobs with tight access may add 10-20% premium.
What Affects the Price
Machine Size
CTLs command a $10-25/hr premium over wheeled skid steers due to higher track wear. Large-frame machines (5-ton CTL class) add another $20-$45/hr.
Site Access
Tight backyard access requiring a compact machine, or sites needing track-over-lawn protection can limit which operators can bid, affecting price.
Soil Conditions
Rocky ground, clay, or high water table slow work significantly. Operators may quote fixed price for difficult conditions rather than risk hourly overruns.
Season
Spring (April-June) is peak grading season - rates may be firm with less availability. Fall work before freeze-up can be more negotiable.
Labor-Only vs Full Wet-Hire
Municipal and institutional contracts sometimes separate labor and equipment costs. Here's what the labor component looks like:
| Cost Component | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Operator labor only (Toronto Fair Wage) | $40-$41/hr | City of Toronto 2024 |
| Equipment cost (typical) | $50-$80/hr | EquipmentWatch benchmark |
| Quebec CCQ union operator | $38-$48/hr | CCQ regulated rate |
| Total wet-hire floor | $110-$130/hr | Labor + equipment + margin |
Grading & Landscaping by Province
Equipment for Grading Work
A mid-size skid steer with a quality bucket is all you need for most grading jobs. Check current prices on popular models:
Bobcat S650
Versatile mid-size
$25K-$38K
Cat 262D3
Strong loader arm
$30K-$45K
John Deere 320G
Smooth controls
$28K-$42K
Kubota SVL75-2
Tight spaces
$32K-$48K
Prices are for used equipment with moderate hours. Check TrackCheck for current market values.
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