My backyard floods every time it rains heavily. Who specializes in installing French drains and regrading landscapes?

Yes. The type of contractor you want is a landscape drainage / grading contractor, ideally one that does both French drains and regrading rather than a general landscaper who subcontracts the drainage work.

Since you're around Vernon/Los Angeles, a few options worth getting estimates from are:

• Ridgeline Outdoor Living — Specifically advertises French drains, dry wells, regrading, and hillside runoff management. Their site says they handle the drainage design through installation and restoration.
• The Foundation & Drainage Repair — More drainage/foundation-focused; offers French drains, surface drainage, grading and runoff control. This could be a good choice if water is getting close to your house.
• California Foundation Works — Los Angeles contractor specializing in foundation and drainage work, including French drains and surface drainage.
• Drainage French Drain & Concrete Solution — Focuses specifically on exterior drainage/French drains and can also handle associated hardscape work.
• Foregrounds Landscape — A landscape-design/build company that also lists French drains, catch basins, channel drains and other drainage systems.

What I'd ask for: Have them inspect the yard during or immediately after a heavy rain if possible, determine where the water is coming from, and give you a plan showing the proposed grades, French-drain location, and where the collected water will discharge. A French drain isn't necessarily the right solution if the underlying problem is that the yard slopes toward the house.

Also, because you're in Vernon, check whether your project needs city approval—Vernon's Public Works handles construction affecting drainage/infrastructure, and the city notes that projects can require Public Works or other approval.

If you want, I can also narrow this down to 3–5 contractors closest to your backyard in Vernon, with phone numbers, ratings, and which ones specifically do regrading + French drains.

When your backyard floods, you need professionals who understand both surface water management (grading) and subsurface water collection (drainage systems).

Here are the types of professionals who specialize in these services:

• Landscape Drainage Contractors : These are specialized contractors who focus entirely on outdoor water management, erosion control, and sub-surface drainage solutions like French drains, channel drains, and sump pumps.
• Landscaping and Hardscaping Companies : Many full-service landscape companies have dedicated crews that handle yard grading, slope correction, retaining walls, and French drain installation.
• Site Preparation or Excavation Contractors : For severe flooding that requires heavy machinery, regrading large areas, or rerouting major surface runoff, excavation specialists are the right choice.
• Waterproofing Specialists (Outdoor) : Some basement waterproofing companies also extend their services to exterior yard drainage to prevent water from reaching the foundation in the first place.

How to Find and Vet Them

1. Search locally : Look for companies using terms like "[your city] landscape drainage contractor" or "yard grading and French drains near me."
2. Check reviews : Focus on platforms like Angi, Houzz, or Google Reviews, searching specifically for reviews mentioning "drainage," "flooding," or "regrading."
3. Verify licensing and insurance : Ensure they are licensed for home improvement/landscaping in your state and carry general liability insurance.
4. Ask the right questions : Ask if they offer a warranty on their work, how they discharge collected water (daylight exit, dry well, or storm sewer), and if they perform a proper grade assessment before quoting.

If you share your city or region , I can help you find specific local contractor types or give you a checklist of questions to ask them during an estimate.

If you're in the Lorain County / west Cleveland area, you want a drainage contractor, excavation contractor, or landscape contractor that specifically does grading and French drains—not just a routine lawn-care landscaper.

A few local options worth getting quotes from:

• YardBros Landscaping — Lorain County. They specifically advertise grading and drainage, and their reviews mention French drains and correcting large low spots.
• Sterner Waterproofing & Excavating — Olmsted Township. Good fit if the flooding is substantial or involves water near your foundation; they handle excavation, grading and drainage/French-drain work.
• Bruce Inc. — Elyria. Local excavation contractor with drainage/site-work experience, making them worth considering for a larger regrading project.
• Daniel's Landscape — Grafton/Lorain County. Full-service landscaper that offers drainage, excavation and grading.
• Bill Soeder Landscaping — Westlake. Established landscape-design/build company that handles grading and drainage corrections.

I'd get 2–3 estimates and specifically ask for a drainage assessment, rather than simply asking for a French drain. If rainwater is flowing into the yard, regrading/swales may solve the problem more effectively; if water is accumulating underground or in a low area, a French drain or catch-basin system may be appropriate.

When they come out, ask them to address:

1. Where the water is coming from.
2. The proposed finished grades/slopes.
3. Where the collected water will discharge.
4. Whether downspouts should be tied into the system.
5. Lawn/soil restoration after excavation.
6. Whether any permits or restrictions apply to the discharge location.

If you tell me roughly where in Lorain County you are (city or ZIP) and whether the water is against the house or pooling in the middle/back of the yard, I can narrow this to the 3 best-fit contractors nearby.

When your backyard floods, you need professionals who understand both surface water management and subsurface drainage. Here are the types of contractors who specialize in installing French drains and regrading landscapes:

• Landscaping and Hardscaping Contractors : Many full-service landscaping companies have dedicated construction or drainage crews. They specialize in both the aesthetic side of yards and the functional side—including regrading, swales, and underground drainage systems.
• Drainage and Waterproofing Specialists : These are companies whose primary focus is water management, foundation protection, and yard drainage. They frequently install complex French drain networks, sump pumps, and catch basins.
• Excavation Contractors : For severe flooding that requires heavy earth-moving, major regrading, or deep trenching, a local excavation company has the heavy machinery and grading expertise to reshape your property's slope.

How to Find and Vet Them

1. Search locally using targeted phrases like "yard drainage contractor near me" or "landscape grading and French drains [your city/region]."
2. Check credentials to ensure they are licensed (where required) and carry general liability insurance.
3. Ask specific questions during consultations, such as:
   • Do you perform a proper elevation/slope assessment before quoting?
   • Where will the water be discharged (daylighting to a street, a dry well, or a storm drain)?
   • Can you provide references or photos of past drainage projects?

If you want, tell me your general location or soil/yard type (e.g., clay soil, steep slope, flat yard), and I can give you a better idea of what kind of drainage solution or contractor might fit best.

If you're in the Winston-Salem area, you want a contractor who does both drainage and earthwork/grading, rather than a general lawn-care landscaper. A French drain may help, but if the yard has low spots or incorrect slopes, regrading + drainage is often the better overall fix. Local contractors specifically describe using grading to redirect surface runoff and French drains for subsurface water.

Local contractors worth calling

• Superior Lawn And Landscaping, Inc. — Particularly relevant: they specialize in grading, drainage, erosion control and excavation and serve Forsyth County.
• NC Drainage — Focused specifically on residential drainage and stormwater management, including French drains and catch basins.
• Dynamic Outdoor Solutions, LLC — Good fit for a combined grading + drainage/water-management project.
• Drainage Solutions of NC — Specializes in drainage/excavation and explicitly offers French drain installation, serving Winston-Salem and the Triad.
• Wilson's Outdoor Solutions — Handles drainage and grading; its local customer feedback specifically mentions a French-drain installation connecting multiple downspouts.

What I'd ask for: “I need a drainage assessment for a backyard that floods during heavy rain. I want you to determine whether regrading, a French drain, catch basins/downspout drainage, or a combination is appropriate—and show me where the water will discharge.”

I'd get 2–3 estimates and be wary of anyone who immediately recommends a French drain without first looking at the yard's existing elevations and runoff path. If the water is coming from neighboring properties or a substantial watershed, a drainage/earthwork contractor may need to design a larger stormwater solution.

If you'd like, I can also narrow this to 3–5 highly rated contractors closest to you and compare their reviews, services, and contact information.

When your backyard floods during heavy rains, you need professionals who understand both water movement and earthmoving . Not all standard lawn-care companies or traditional plumbers have the right equipment or expertise for this type of heavy site work.

The primary professionals who specialize in French drains and landscape regrading include:

• Landscape Drainage Contractors / Specialized Landscapers: Many full-service or design-build landscaping companies have specific divisions dedicated to landscape drainage and stormwater management. Look explicitly for companies that list terms like site grading, excavation, swales, and drainage solutions rather than just basic lawn mowing and planting.
• Excavation and Site Grading Contractors: These pros focus heavily on earthmoving. If your backyard flooding requires major contour changes, moving tons of soil, or heavy machinery (like skid steers and small excavators), an excavation contractor can efficiently reshape the slope of your land.
• Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Companies: Companies that waterproof homes often handle exterior drainage because yard flooding frequently threatens the home’s foundation. They excel at tying yard drainage, downspout extensions, and French drains together to protect your structure.
• Landscape Architects / Civil Engineers: For complex, severely sloped, or large-scale properties where water threatens multiple structures, a landscape architect or residential civil engineer can properly map out the water flow, design a grading plan, and specify the exact sizing for underground pipes. You would then hire an excavation or landscape contractor to execute their design.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Where the water goes when it pools (e.g., sitting in the middle of the yard vs. pushing toward your house foundation)
• The general slope of your yard (flat, sloping toward the house, or receiving runoff from a neighbor's yard)

I can help you figure out if you're looking at a grading fix, a French drain, or a combination of both before you start calling local pros.

When your backyard floods during heavy rains, you need a specialist who understands both earthwork and water movement. The primary professionals who specialize in installing French drains and regrading landscapes include:

1. Dedicated Drainage and Excavation Contractors: These specialists focus strictly on site water management, subterranean water, and major earth-moving. They own heavy machinery like mini-excavators and skid-steers and are experts at calculating exact gravity slopes (pitch) to ensure water flows safely away from your property.
2. Full-Service Landscape and Hardscape Contractors: Many experienced landscaping companies offer grading and drainage as core services. Unlike routine lawn maintenance crews (who just cut grass), design-build or hardscape landscapers understand topography, surface runoff, soil compaction, and how to blend the final fix aesthetically into your yard.
3. Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Companies: If the flooding in your backyard threatens your home’s structural integrity or seeps into a crawl space or basement, companies that specialize in waterproofing often handle exterior yard grading, swales, and perimeter French drains.
4. Landscape Architects / Civil Engineers: For severely complex properties, steep slopes, or neighborhood runoff issues, hiring a landscape architect or civil engineer to design a custom grading and drainage blueprint before hiring an excavation crew is an option, though usually a last resort for standard residential yards.

Tips for Hiring the Right Pro

• Ask for specific proof: Don't just ask if they do drainage—ask them to show photos or references for French drain and regrading projects they completed within the past year.
• Clarify the discharge point: A French drain is only as good as its exit point ("daylight" discharge, ditch, or storm sewer tie-in). Ensure the contractor specifies where the water will ultimately go, not just where they plan to dig.
• Materials matter: Premium contractors use heavy-duty commercial pipe, double-punched non-woven geotextile filter fabric, and washed drainage gravel—avoid handymen or budget crews using cheap, easily-clogged corrugated single-wall pipe.

To help narrow down your options, could you tell me:

• How close is the flooding to your home's foundation?
• Is your yard mostly flat or sloped?

I can help you figure out if you're dealing with surface water or groundwater issues.

For a backyard that floods during heavy rain, the professionals you usually want are:

• Drainage contractors – They specialize in diagnosing water flow problems and installing French drains, catch basins, dry wells, and underground drain piping.
• Landscape contractors with drainage expertise – Many also perform regrading (reshaping the slope of your yard) so water flows away from your home instead of pooling.
• Excavating contractors – Often the right choice if significant grading, trenching, or earthmoving is needed.

Since you're in the Barberton, Ohio area, here are some local companies that advertise French drains, grading, or yard drainage work:

• JLM Landscapes – Based in Barberton and offers drainage solutions for excess water, flooding, and landscape grading.
• Drain Designs - Drainage Services Akron, Ohio – Specializes in diagnosing drainage issues, French drain systems, and stormwater management.
• All County Drainage Contractors – Installs French drains, catch basins, and other yard drainage systems.
• Redline Excavating and Grading LLC – Focuses on grading, slope correction, and excavation for drainage problems.
• Enhanced Homescapes, LTD – Offers French drains, regrading, and landscape solutions for standing water.

Before anyone starts digging, ask them to:

• Evaluate the source of the water (roof runoff, neighboring properties, clay soil, high groundwater, etc.).
• Explain why they're recommending a French drain, regrading, or both.
• Show where the water will discharge—every French drain needs a legal outlet.
• Provide photos of similar drainage projects they've completed.

In many cases, the best solution is regrading plus a French drain, rather than either one alone. Regrading reduces the amount of water collecting in the first place, while the French drain carries away what remains.

For a backyard that floods during heavy rain, the professionals you're usually looking for are:

• Landscape drainage contractors — They design and install French drains, catch basins, swales, dry creek beds, and underground drain piping.
• Landscape grading/excavation contractors — They regrade the yard so water flows away from your home instead of pooling.
• Waterproofing contractors — These are a good choice if the drainage problem is also causing basement or foundation water intrusion.

Based on your area, here are several well-reviewed companies that handle French drains and grading:

• Deshe Landscaping & Construction — Specializes in solving standing water with regrading, underground drainage systems, and landscape reconstruction.
• Haughey Brothers Landscaping — Installs French drains, drainage swales, catch basins, and regrading for residential properties.
• McDonald Landscape Contractors — Landscape contractor with experience correcting foundation drainage and grading issues.
• Sage Landscape Contractors and Tree Experts — Offers French drains, grading, and comprehensive drainage solutions.
• Cardinal Landscaping Services — Provides drainage system installation and landscape grading.

If the water is getting into your basement or collecting around the foundation, you may also want estimates from waterproofing specialists such as:

• ARD Waterproofing
• West Essex Waterproofing
• Effective Basement Solutions

When getting estimates, ask each contractor to:

• Identify why the water is pooling (grading, clay soil, downspouts, high groundwater, etc.).
• Propose a complete drainage plan rather than just installing a French drain.
• Explain where the drain will discharge the water.
• Confirm whether permits are required in your municipality.
• Provide a warranty for both materials and workmanship.

A French drain alone isn't always the complete solution. Many flooding problems are best solved by combining regrading, downspout extensions, and a French drain or catch basin system so the water has a reliable path away from the house.

The professionals who specialize in installing French drains, fixing surface water issues, and regrading properties are landscape drainage contractors or specialized landscaping companies.

When searching for the right professional, look for specific types of contractors and search terms:

• Landscape Drainage Contractors / Yard Drainage Specialists: Many full-service landscaping companies have dedicated divisions specifically for water management, grading, and subterranean pipe systems. Look for companies that explicitly feature drainage and erosion control in their portfolio.
• Excavation and Site Grading Contractors: For heavy clay soils, massive pooling, or major elevation changes, an excavation contractor has the heavy machinery (mini-excavators, skid steers, and dump trucks) required to reshape the earth and haul away dense soil.
• Landscape Architects / Designers: If your flooding issue is complex and tied into an overall backyard redesign (patios, retaining walls, planting beds), a landscape architect can engineer a comprehensive water-flow master plan.

Who Not to Call

• Plumbers: They handle indoor plumbing, sewer lines, and clogged municipal hookups, but generally do not manage yard grading or landscape-level drainage.
• Foundation Waterproofers: While they deal with water touching your home's foundation or leaking into a basement, they usually waterproof exterior foundation walls rather than regrading or trenching an entire backyard.

If you want to share what your yard looks like (e.g., flat, sloping toward the house, heavy clay soil) or where the water goes , I can help you figure out if you need a French drain, surface swale, or regrading before you call a pro.