In March 2024, I contracted A1 Grading, owned by Dwayne Burrell, to clear a 15-acre road (approx. 1.3 acres) and a one-acre lot for the construction of my new home. The total contract price for the road was $28,998.28, and for the one-acre lot to build my house was $8,187.18. I paid deposits and installment payments as requested, totaling more than $37,000. The agreement included clearing the road, installing pipes and riprap, compacting the base, and, importantly, hauling all debris either by grinding or by using the one-acre lot for safe burning. Dwayne repeatedly delayed, giving various excuses. He claimed conditions were too dry, that he needed permits, or later that "leaves had to fall" before burning. He burned the debris from the one-acre lot, did very minimal grading, but the large piles of tree debris and stumps from the road clearing--present since May 2024--were never removed or burned as agreed. One pile is over a story tall. Now that my home is being built, I received an estimate of $15K to haul the huge piles because of his deceit, lies, and dishonesty. Throughout this process, I accommodated his delays, made payments on time, and communicated consistently. Dwayne, however, failed to follow through with the contract terms. He requested that I pay him the remaining balance minus $500. I told him there was no way I would pay him that. I paid him too much already. On October 7, 2024, he claimed the project was complete and demanded final payment, even though the road debris was still on my property. Removing the debris was one of the main reasons I contracted with him. I informed him that the final payment would not be made until the work was completed in full. Since then, I have had no communication from him, and nearly two years later, the debris remains, leaving me with an incomplete project despite significant payments. Everyone asks me who left that crap on my road and state A1 GRADING, WENDELL, NC, DWAYNE BURRELL. Dwayne has proven unreliable, has failed to honor the contract, and has not returned to finish the job. I would never ever recommend him for any job. He is someone who does not take pride in his work. He is a con man! He should be on worst pros in town! read more

Dwayne picked up when called A-1 Grading. I told him my concern and that I wanter an estimate and him to look at my yard and tell me what to do about my empty yard that flooded. It is about a 1/3 of an acre and a corner lot. Dwayne set an appointment to give me an estimate. He arrived 5 minutes early for the appointment just two days later. After we walked the property he recommended he install drainage all around my home to lead the water away from my foundation and change the direction of the grade to lead the water away as well. I mentioned to him I wanted to get it done soon. So we agreed on a start date and arrived with his equipment and completed the job in two days, installing drainage pipes on the down spouts and changed the grade of my property. So that I have a more attractive well drained yard. Gone is the 12 foot wide 2 foot deep stream of water during the Spring and Fall. Which used to be the wet seasons. I highly recommend you deal with this company they good people. They were dependable, respectful and did an excellent job. read more

What a great group of guys!!! They removed 2 tree stumps, filled the holes & smoothed out the ground. They did an amazing job for me!!! read more

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IMO Dwayne is a nice guy who doesn't do good business. So if you want an unlicensed contractor who will underestimate the job then jack up the price on you after completing the work and then threaten to put a lien on your house if you don't pay Dwayne is your guy. Gave an estimate for a clearing the backyard and redoing driveway and extend the culvert pipe widen the curb cut Clear backyard estimate was for $9895 for clear whole area and haul away the debris. Dwayne said they would also grade seed and straw the area but did not put that in the estimate. Driveway estimate was for $6375. Dwayne said they would be putting down 3" of stone for the driveway but did not write that in the estimate. Payed half down for them to start the job $8623.10 of 17246.20 on 10/14/22 Began work on 10/19/22 for clearing the backyard estimated the job to take 4 days Last day working 10/27/22 Removed his equipment on 11/07/22 On the first day of the job the workers arrived and they were all extremely nice and professional. Unfortunately it did not seem as if they had been properly informed as to what the the job was. They used a large excavator and small excavator but did not bring a chipper and when I asked about not having the chipper Dwayne informed me his was broken. After having completed approx 80% of the clearing job Dwayne informs me that the debris had exceeded what he thought it would be and he wanted $9900 extra in haul away fees again after doing the work. Dwayne claimed that he only expected 10 loads of debris but was currently at 26 loads with 2-3 more loads of debris still on the property. I told him I was not paying that and he should have talked to me when he realized he messed up the estimate not after doing the work. He responded by saying he would take care of it everything would be fine. He then proceeds to bury the remaining debris instead hauling it away. After this he sent me a change work order for $8800. They also had delivered crush and run for the driveway project by now approx. 10 yds. As of the last day of working on the project the clearing of the yard has not been completed, all of the debris has not been removed and the yard has not been graded. On 10/27/22 Dwayne told me he needed the $8800 to pay the hauler and dump fees as they were a sub contractor and he did not have the money. Dwayne said if I gave him the $8800 so he could pay he would finish the job with no additional payment needed. At this point the remaining balance on the job was $8623.10 I agreed to pay him the $8800 to complete the job. Dwayne said they would be back to complete the job. After this the only people who came back were the lumber buyer who he sold the pulp wood to to collect the pulpwood. Dwayne had claimed they would begin working again on 2 dates but never came back. I also discover that the "subcontractor" was actually Dwayne's brother. It also took 11 days before his large excavator was removed from the property. On 11/09/22 I filed to reverse the charge on the credit card for his failure to complete the job. A-1 Grading has now threatened a lien on my property and a lawsuit if I don't pay them for the change work order as well as the incomplete work. Additional notes they were told not to cut down 3 poplar trees they instead saved 3 sweet gum trees the wrong trees. It is also costing me $1500 to complete the clean up and haul away of debris so the yard can be finished and useable. read more

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Extremely pleasant and professional. Did an awesome job grading and clearing out our backyard. They kept their word and their commitment which is very hard to find these days. Had multiple quotes from other companies and one even came out and removed 2 trees (and left it in our backyard and still had the nerve to ask for $200). Luckily, a quick google search and I came a crossed Dwayne and Terrance who are life savers, squeezed us in, and got the job done quickly. read more

Dwayne decided half way through the job he needed to double the price because it was more work than he thought when told no he left and never came back read more

Super disappointed. I pride myself in supporting black businesses whenever I can. Although there are tons of grading companies to choose from, I specifically chose A1. After dealing with some serious drainage issues around my garage area, I contacted them and made an appointment for the following day. Rain was in the forecast and the gentleman mentioned that this was a good thing as it would help them see the problem. I took off of work to meet A1 at my home. I received a call an hour after the scheduled appointment time from someone who said that had "forgotten" about the appointment and that he was at the dentist. He said that he would come after his dentist visit. 2 hours went by. I sent a text asking for an ETA. He responded saying that he'd come after it stopped raining. He never showed up. I missed a day of work waiting for them. I called back a week later and left a message - giving them another chance. They never returned my call. This is inexcusable and extremely unprofessional. I obviously had to hire someone else. read more

After 2018's epic rainfall a wet spot appeared in my side yard, it stayed damp for several days after the rest of the yard dried up which seemed odd. I asked a friend of mine who is a builder and got connected with Dwayne Burrell at A-1 Grading. Dwayne was recommended by a building specialist who has known and worked with him for many years. Dwayne came by and in short order had diagnosed the problem. Apparently when our house was built the downspout from a corner gutter had been connected to the foundation drain. Dwayne's crew came out and installed a new pipe for the foundation drain and a separate pipe for the downspout. They ran them both to a nearby storm drain, now everything is set up correctly. The crew did a nice job of reseeding and neatening up after they were done. Throughout the process Dwayne was a pleasure to work with, it reminded me of why working with reputable small businesses is often far better than going through chains and franchises. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dwayne to anyone. read more

We found Dwayne's ad and he responded the evening after we e-mailed him. He came out a couple of days later and gave us a quote Our job was completed today much to our satisfaction. All of this within 4 days. We have never heard of Dwayne but we have seen his truck around Garner. What a blessing it was to get to know Dewayne and Shawn Burrell we would highly recommend him and his company if you are in need grading or excavation work. read more