Questionable Lawn replacement method?

Question

I have a landscape contractor who just came by and gave me a quote for my front yard. Well the house is a foreclosure and the grass is 100% dead and dried up. So he wants to weed wack the grass completely down to the dirt, then place 1 to 2 inches of top soil on top, then drop in the new sod. So my question is has anyone head of this method before? I'm worried hes not digging up the old dirt, and any fragments of the grass left, but then again its totally dead grass?

He swares by hes done it a ton of times for other houses, but just wanted to see if anyone has, or heard of others do this?

Thanks for any advice.

Mark

Answer 1

The PROPER way is to have the old turf brought up with a sod cutter, THEN bring in new topsoil, and have it prepped before placing new sod in.

Your lawn is going to be so much higher (elevated) than it should be if he does it that way. You're not going to have it 1-2 inches taller, its going to be at least 3 inches taller after the new sod is added.

Not to mention your new lawn's roots are going to be restricted to growing in only 2 inches of soil before hitting your old soil beneath it? You're asking for lawn troubles right there.

Has he even tested your current soil to see how the grass would respond by growing in fresh topsoil into your old soil? Difference imbalances in the soil ph levels would put your new lawn into shock. Throwing money out the window there.

Tell this contracter he needs to get a sod cutting machine, simply cut up the old lawn, lay an inch of top soil out, roll out/or place the squares of new sod on top of the lawn, press it and water the thing.

Sounds like the guy is just being lazy. Get the job done right the first time and deal with less headaches.

Answer 2

Is the 2-4" higher lawn going to be a problem with the sprinkler system, walk ways or driveway?  The turf from the old lawn, if it is very dense the new lawn may not be able to send roots through it.  As a minimum I would think you need to puncture the old turf.  If the yard is slopped, water may penetrate the new lawn then runoff the old turf.  I suggest you get a second contractors bid and suggestion.  You may have to pay more, but it might result in a better product.

Answer 3

"He swares by hes done it a ton of times for other houses, but just wanted to see if anyone has, or heard of others do this?"

ok, ask for addresses so you can go see the yards he's done this way for yourself.... and talk to the owners, too....

this guys 'method' is kinda hinky..... no mention of  weed suppression, fertilizer, compost, nothing but two inches of 'top soil'.... (top soil is not what we think it is.... today, it's anything from leavings from a construction site's scrapings to creek silt....... where's he getting it from?)

did you call him to come to your house or did he 'ambulance chase' a new sale and just show up one day with an offer?....

I would really want to see an example......

Answer 4

yes, i have, it works however i would have him break up old dirt before he puts the new dirt down and levels out the yard than puts the sod in

Answer 5

The grass appears dead and dried up for a reason.  If he wants to cut it down, maybe it is just dormant due to heat or lack of rain.  If you have compacted clay soil, putting topsoil on top would only improve the upper-most layer of the soil and the grass roots won't be able to grow deeper, leaving you with a lawn that is slightly less-challenged than it already is.  Sod isn't cheap, and landscapers aren't likely to offer you the cheapest solution because there is less money in it for them.  Have your lawn core-aerated or do it yourself if you already have a tractor to pull the aerator around, seed the lawn, and fertilize it.  That should make a HUGE difference and cost a lot less.  If you use a mulching mower, the grass clippings will add nitrogen to the soil, worms will dig them into the soil, keeping it aerated, and you will eventually get to the point where the lawn takes care of itself...unless you get too worried about weeds and need to use herbicide from time to time.  I am fighting a number of problems in my lawns, but nature and seeding has made a HUGE difference in a lawn that started out as fill dirt that looked mostly like small rocks a few years ago, it's been a lot cheaper than paying someone to haul in topsoil and sod, and I'm not the only person who enjoys watching it get better every year.  I can't tell you how many people stop by and compliment me on the progress!

Answer 6

This sounds like the way I would do it. The grass there may look dead but with a little water and it would grow again. What he is proposing is the cheapest way of going about it plus the layer of top soil prevent the old grass from coming up through the new sod. I presume you are talking about laying grass that is already growing on a sod. By laying top soil first he will be able to level out any bumps or hollows without disturbing the ground already there and not disturbing the worm population that is already there. Worms is what's need for a healthy lawn.

By weed wacking the top first he is probably hoping to take the crown out of the dead grass that is there to prevent the possibility of the old grass coming through the new sod.

Answer 7

Sorry, this guy sounds shady to me. I would look for a REAL landscaper. You may end up with a halfassed job and no money.

I would rather pay to have the job done right, than to have to pay twice to have it done correctly, because the guy skipped out with the money.

Answer 8

SPRAY ROUND UP FIRST! If you don't all the weeds will come back up.