Wet yards, flooded basements, icy driveways — it’s all the same problem: water with nowhere to go. We give Holderness water a better path with grading, drains, and culverts that actually work.
Squam sets the tone for everything in Holderness. The Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act applies as it does on any New Hampshire lake — the tree-removal point system in the 50-foot waterfront buffer, the natural woodland buffer requirements out to 150 feet, permits for earth-moving within 250 feet — but here the community’s expectations run ahead of the statute. Clearing on a Squam lot is subtraction with a purpose: selective cuts that open a view corridor while keeping the shoreline reading as forest from the water. Erosion control gets done to a visible standard because everyone on the lake is watching everyone’s shoreline. The estates tucked off Route 113 and around the Squam River bring quieter work — long drives, thoughtful grading, utility trenches routed to spare root zones. Ledge is a frequent guest on these wooded slopes, and we test-pit before quoting any foundation near it.
On Squam, involve the state early and over-deliver on erosion control — double-row silt sock near the water, stabilized construction entrance, mulch on any bare soil before a rain. The Shoreland Permit is the legal floor; the lake community’s standard is higher, and your project’s reputation on that water is set in its first muddy week.
Most wet-basement and swampy-yard problems are solved outside, with dirt. We regrade so the ground pitches away from the foundation, install French and curtain drains that intercept groundwater before it reaches the house, day-light downspouts and footing drains so roof water leaves, and set culverts and swales that carry storm flow through the property instead of across your lawn.
On lake lots this doubles as shoreline stewardship — controlled infiltration instead of erosion channels cutting to the water. Perforated pipe in clean stone, wrapped, pitched, and day-lighted: boring details, dry basement.
French/curtain drain installs typically run $2,000–$8,000 depending on length and depth; regrading and downspout day-lighting often less. We find where the water comes from before quoting, and the quote is flat.
Often, yes — if the water is coming from surface or shallow groundwater on the uphill side, a curtain drain that intercepts it plus regrading at the foundation solves it outside. If the water table itself is high, interior systems may be part of the answer; we'll tell you which problem you actually have.
Snowmelt plus flat or bowl-shaped grading plus our hardpan soils equals standing water. The cure is a path: swales or drains that give melt somewhere to go. Most wet yards are fixed with a day or two of grading and pipe.
Work within the protected shoreland (250 feet of a lake) or touching wetlands can require NHDES permits. We flag it on the site walk and plan the job so it's done right and documented.
Free site walks, test pits before quotes, flat pricing, and a crew that knows Lakes Region ground.
Tell us where the property is and what you’re trying to do. We’ll walk the site, talk it through, and give you a straight, flat quote.
