Any tips for levelling topsoil

[Johnbonhamsdrumstix]

No soil levellers available from hire shops due to high demand and I don’t want to buy one for a small (5m by 6m) area when I’ll never use it again!

Top soil has arrived and about 3/4 is down and it’s looking a little uneven, does anyone have any tips for levelling it? I’m raking and gently patting it but I still see dips. I’m not looking for perfection!

What is below it? What amount are you laying? I've never heard of a top soil leveller - surely you don't want to squash it down because there need to be space beneath the surface for soil life to do it's thing? When I've put down large quantities of top soil I have only raked it, and then raked again after a few weeks when it's settled. Maybe try giving it a good soaking so that the water can pull the soil into any large voids below the surface and leave it a bit before raking again? Are you laying turf over it and that's why you want it flat?

A builders palate turned upside down and dragged round and round the garden by a couple of ropes.