What is LiDAR Grading? The End of Guesswork
By Kyle Abbey, Founder, GravelBoss · ·
For decades, the gravel driveway industry has operated on guesswork. A guy with a tractor looks at your driveway, guesses why the water is pooling, guesses how much stone you need, and charges you by the hour. GravelBoss is ending the guesswork. We are Northeast Ohio's first gravel driveway contractor to adopt iPhone-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping technology to digitally diagnose your driveway before a single blade touches the dirt.
Get Grade Scan — $149How the Grade Scan Works
- 01
Laser Mapping: Our specialized software uses the LiDAR sensor in modern iPads/iPhones to shoot thousands of invisible laser pulses per second, mapping a precise 3D topographical model of your property.
- 02
Defect Analysis: The software analyzes the cross-sections of the driveway, instantly highlighting areas where the 3% crown has flattened or inverted, identifying exactly where water will pool.
- 03
Volume Calculation: Once the software knows the exact square footage and the depth of the defects, it calculates down to the decimal exactly how many tons of stone are required to fix it.
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Data-Driven Results: We hand you a custom PDF report proving exactly what is wrong and exactly what it costs to fix—no hourly estimates, no surprise material fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for a Grade Scan?
Our Grade Scan diagnostic report typically costs $149, which covers the technician's time, the data processing, and the detailed PDF proposal. However, this fee is 100% credited toward any major repair service you book.
Is the LiDAR scan a gimmick?
Absolutely not. This is the same technology used by commercial surveyors and civil engineers. It allows us to guarantee fixed pricing because we know precisely the condition of your sub-base before we start digging.
Do you scan it again when you are done?
Yes! Every Drive Rebuild™ and Drive Restore™ package includes a Post-Work Certification scan. We prove to you mathematically that the crown and drainage pitch were restored to standard.
Explore Related Services
Get Your Grade Scan
Tell us where your driveway is. We scan the grade, map drainage problems, and show the repair path before any stone moves.
- ✓ $149 diagnostic credited toward service
- ✓ Crown and drainage issues mapped first
- ✓ Fixed repair path before work begins
- ✓ No hourly rates and no guessing
- ✓ Most driveways completed in a single day
Where's Your Driveway?
We'll look up your property to see if we already have info on file.