You’re not just getting grass rolled out. You’re getting a lawn that drains correctly, roots deep, and doesn’t turn into a patchy mess by next spring.
That starts with excavation. Most lawn failures happen because the ground wasn’t prepped right. We grade for drainage, remove rocks and debris, and bring in quality topsoil when your existing soil won’t cut it. Then we install sod that’s fresh, healthy, and suited to the Adirondack climate.
The result is a lawn you can use right away. No waiting eight weeks for seed to take. No bare spots where birds got to it or rain washed it out. Just a finished yard that looks like it’s been there for years.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking started as a logging operation and moved into full-time excavation in 2020. Josh runs the business with his son, and he’s on almost every job. That’s not a marketing line—it’s how we operate.
We work across Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties. Most of our lawn installation work in Bolton Landing ties into new home construction or major renovations where the yard needs to be built from scratch. We handle the site prep, grading, drainage, and final sod installation as one complete job.
You’re not coordinating three different contractors. You’re working with one crew that knows how each phase affects the next.
First, we assess your site. That means looking at drainage patterns, existing soil quality, and any grading issues that’ll cause problems later. If your yard slopes toward the house or holds water, we fix that before anything else.
Next comes excavation and grading. We remove old sod, rocks, roots, and debris. Then we grade the area so water moves away from structures and doesn’t pool in low spots. If your soil is too rocky or clay-heavy, we bring in screened topsoil and blend it properly.
Then we install the sod. We source quality turf, lay it tight with no gaps, and make sure every seam is staggered. The edges get trimmed clean, and we roll it to ensure good soil contact. You’ll need to water it consistently for the first two weeks, but you can walk on it within days and mow it within two to three weeks.
Ready to get started?
Every lawn installation in Bolton Landing starts with site evaluation and grading. We’re looking at how water moves, where it pools, and what needs to change. Most properties around Lake George have some slope, and that can work for you or against you depending on how it’s managed.
We handle excavation, topsoil delivery and spreading, final grading with GPS precision, and sod installation. If you’re adding flower bed installation or tree planting service at the same time, we coordinate that so everything ties together. It’s common for new builds in Bolton Landing to need retaining walls or drainage solutions before the lawn goes in, and we handle that too.
The goal is a yard that doesn’t need a redo in two years. That means doing the underground work right—proper base, proper slope, proper compaction. Sod installation is the final step, but it only works if everything underneath is solid.
Most homeowners spend between $1,048 and $2,992 for a 1,000 square foot lawn, depending on site conditions and prep work required. Sod itself typically runs $1 to $2 per square foot installed, but that doesn’t include grading, topsoil, or drainage work.
If your property has significant slope, poor soil, or drainage issues, expect the price to go up. Obstacles like ledge rock, existing hardscaping, or tight access can add 10% or more. We give you a clear estimate upfront so there’s no confusion about what you’re paying for.
The alternative is seeding, which costs less initially but takes two months of consistent watering and often fails in areas with heavy clay or poor drainage. Sod gives you a finished lawn immediately and establishes faster in the Adirondack climate.
Early fall or late spring. You want cooler temperatures and natural rainfall to help the sod establish without stressing it. Summer installations can work, but they require more water and increase the risk of disease or heat stress.
In Bolton Landing, that usually means late April through early June or mid-September through October. Fall is often better because the grass focuses on root development instead of top growth, and you’re not fighting summer heat.
Avoid installing sod when the ground is frozen or overly saturated. The roots won’t establish, and you’ll end up with a soggy mess that doesn’t take. Timing matters more than most people realize, and we’ll tell you if conditions aren’t right.
If your existing soil is mostly clay, heavily compacted, or full of rocks, you’ll need topsoil. Clay doesn’t drain well and suffocates grass roots. Rocky soil prevents roots from spreading. Compacted soil from construction equipment won’t support healthy growth.
We test your soil during the site evaluation. If it’s marginal, we’ll bring in screened topsoil and blend it with what’s there. If it’s truly bad, we’ll remove several inches and replace it entirely. Most new construction sites in Bolton Landing need at least some topsoil because the good stuff was stripped or buried during excavation.
Skipping this step is the fastest way to waste money on sod that never establishes. You can’t grow a healthy lawn in poor soil no matter how good the sod is.
Site prep includes removing existing vegetation, grading for proper drainage, addressing any low spots or slopes that’ll cause problems, and preparing the soil base. This is where most DIY projects and cheap contractors fail.
We use GPS-guided grading equipment to ensure water moves away from your foundation and doesn’t pool anywhere in the yard. We remove rocks, roots, and debris that’ll interfere with root growth. If there are drainage issues, we install solutions before the sod goes down—not after you’ve already paid for a lawn that’s drowning.
In Bolton Landing, ledge rock and heavy clay are common issues. We deal with both regularly. Site prep might take a day or several days depending on your property, but it’s the difference between a lawn that lasts and one that fails.
Yes, and it’s often more efficient to do it all at once. We can design and install new flower bed installations, handle tree planting service, and complete your lawn installation as one coordinated project. That way, the grading and drainage work accounts for everything, and you’re not tearing up a new lawn later to add landscaping.
Most homeowners in Bolton Landing doing new construction or major renovations want the whole yard finished together. We’ll work with you on placement, grading around beds and trees, and making sure everything has proper drainage and access.
Doing it separately means multiple mobilizations, more disruption, and often higher total costs. If you’re already bringing in equipment and materials for lawn installation, adding flower bed installation or tree planting service makes sense.
You can walk on it lightly within a few days, but avoid heavy traffic for the first two weeks. You’ll be able to mow it within two to three weeks once the roots start grabbing into the soil below. Full establishment takes about six weeks with proper watering.
The first two weeks are critical. You need to water daily, sometimes twice a day if it’s warm and dry. The edges and seams are most vulnerable, so pay attention to those areas. After two weeks, you can start reducing water frequency as the roots establish.
By week six, your lawn should be fully rooted and ready for normal use. That’s still faster than seeding, which takes eight weeks of careful watering just to get partial coverage and often requires reseeding bare spots.
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