Leveling Yard, foundation concerns

We are planning to fill in the in-ground pool in our backyard. While we have equipment in the yard, we would like to level/improve the yard as a play area. There is approximately a 2 foot drop near the property line that we would like to eliminate to get a more level yard, and increase the play area. Beyond the property line is a 10 foot drop to the neighbors house at about a 45 degree grade. A landscape contractor that was at the house over the weekend suggested dropping the existing yard by about a foot (using the dirt to fill in the pool) He suggested leaving about a 1.5 foot wide 'ledge' against the foundation at the existing grade to reduce impacts on the foundation of the house. I just wanted to get some opinions here if it sounds like a reasonable suggestion. The foundation is poured concrete, about 7ft high, with currently 1.5 feet exposed. We are in northern Vermont, with cold winters, so frost could be a concern. I'm not convinced there is any benefit to leaving the 'ledge' so I'd appreciate any opinions.

Hi tobi, it all sounds very daunting from your discription and I always think it is wise to be concerned when doing leveling as you probably are thinking if you dont get it right you end up with even more problems to deal with and maybe lots of money needed to fix it. To be honest, I would always ask for a few contractors around to give there opinions and costings, how long for the work start to finish and what guarantees do they give you at the end of it all, are they insured (especially if they are close to foundations and a slope onto your neighbours property should things go wrong with say water run off etc after they have gone and been payed, last thing you want is your family disappearing into the neighbours. When we have contractors look at work, we never tell them they are one of a few, this gives you a better chance to pick their brains as to how it will all work out.
As for folks helping here, I would have to say that you would be best sending a picture of the area so everyone has a better idea of everything that needs advice on, hope this helps you out a bit, good luck. WeeNel.

Since nobody here seems to have an answer for you about the ledge, I'd start by asking the contractor why that's needed. There's no real benefit for him whether you have the ledge or not, so I suspect he has a good reason why it's necessary. Now of course there are contractors that are really knowledgeable and others are less so, so I'd also go talk to a couple other contractors and get proposals from them and see if they also recommend the ledge (as WeeNel mentioned above, it's always a good idea to get a couple quotes on a job anyway).

You should save money by using dirt that's already in your yard to fill in the pool, etc but you may want to have a few loads of topsoil brought in at the end and put over the top also. Depending on how things were done when your house was built, the dirt that's there once they scrape a foot off to fill in the pool may not be very good quality.

Your concern about frost is a real one. Most water pipes are put in at a low enough level that they won't freeze. Removing that much soil if it is over the pipes might expose them to freezing.

Some photos would really help.