Foundation Grading in Kansas City Missouri

[Alonso Figueroa]

CONTEXT
I need to regrade the area around my foundation per my inspector's report. (fortunately this was the biggest issue he found) I got estimates from local KC landscapers. Some estimates included a french drain and/or swales, but after speaking with the inspector and the other landscapers only regrading is necessary.

Most of the estimates came in at $4500+. I'm no expert, but that strikes me as WAY TOO MUCH for adding and shaping dirt around the foundation. For scope of the project, the house is approx 1000sqft on a slab, w/ crawl space, and is on flat land - not a hill, nor is there a hill nearby.

I have considered doing it myself, but I live in California and cannot afford to take a week off from my job to do this. (which kinda
bums me out because I love getting my hands dirty)

QUESTION
Does $4500+ sound right for a simple regrading? Do regrading projects sometimes get complicated and necessitate extra maneuvers or special considerations/machinery that brings up the cost? Could these companies be using secret landscaper techniques that maintain the integrity of the slope for 50 years thereby saving $$ in the long run?