Excavation on Sevierville's hillside lots

Mountain-view lots

Many lots around Sevierville are cut into hillsides. The flat spot for the house often has to be made, and the drive has to climb to reach it. Ground is red clay mixed with rock, and you often do not know how much rock until you start digging.

A steep lot also changes how footers get dug and how the finished grade has to hold. We look at the slope, the access for our trailer and machines, and where water will run before we give you a number. If part of a lot is too steep for our equipment to work safely, we will say so.

Steep gravel drives

Gravel drives on mountain lots take a beating. Rain runs straight down them, cuts ruts and carries the gravel to the bottom. Fixing it usually means regrading the drive so water runs off the side instead of down the middle, and adding ditches or turnouts where they help. Regular maintenance keeps a small washout from turning into a big one.

Rivers and runoff

The Little Pigeon River runs through Sevierville, and the French Broad River and Douglas Lake are to the north. Heavy mountain rain moves fast off the slopes and into the creeks. Good drainage on a hillside lot slows that water down and keeps it away from the house and the foundation.

Permits in Sevierville and Sevier County

Inside city limits, check with the City of Sevierville. Outside, check with Sevier County. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg each have their own offices. Hillside grading can have extra requirements, so ask early. Call Tennessee 811 before any digging.