You’re not just paying for sod. You’re paying so water drains away from your foundation instead of pooling in your yard every spring. So your lawn doesn’t turn into a mud pit after two rainy days. So you’re not reseeding bare patches next season because the soil was never conditioned right in the first place.
Most lawn problems don’t start with the grass. They start with what’s underneath—poor grading, compacted soil, no drainage plan. That’s where we begin.
When the site’s prepped right, your lawn grows in evenly. Water moves where it should. You’re not dealing with soggy spots, dead zones, or erosion along your driveway. It just works.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking started as a logging operation in 1997 and moved into full-time excavation in 2020. My son joined as a partner in 2022. We’re a family operation, and I’m on almost every job to make sure it’s done right.
We work throughout Saratoga, Washington, and Warren Counties. That means we know the soil here. We know how water moves across properties in Durkeetown, NY. We know what it takes to pass inspection and what causes problems down the road.
You’re not getting a crew that shows up, drops sod, and disappears. You’re getting site prep that accounts for drainage, grading, and soil quality—so the lawn you install actually has a chance.
First, we assess your site. That means looking at existing grade, drainage patterns, soil condition, and any areas that need correction before sod goes down. If water’s pooling near your foundation or the ground slopes the wrong way, we fix it now.
Next, we handle grading and drainage work. This might include installing French drains, regrading sections of your yard, or adding soil amendments depending on what we find. The goal is a surface that drains properly and soil that supports healthy grass growth.
Then we prep the soil. We’re not just smoothing dirt. We’re conditioning it, leveling it, and making sure it’s ready for root development. This step determines whether your lawn thrives or struggles.
Finally, we install the sod. We source quality sod suited to upstate New York’s climate—typically cool-season grasses like fescue that handle our winters and summers. Once it’s down, we walk you through watering schedules and what to expect as it establishes.
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Site preparation is the foundation. That means land clearing if needed, grading to proper slope, and drainage solutions that prevent water from sitting where it shouldn’t. In Durkeetown, NY and surrounding areas, we’re dealing with varied terrain and soil that doesn’t always drain well on its own.
Soil conditioning comes next. We test and amend soil as needed so grass roots can actually take hold. Compacted or poor-quality soil is one of the biggest reasons new lawns fail within the first year.
Sod installation uses cool-season grasses suited to New York’s climate. We’re sourcing quality sod, installing it correctly, and making sure seams are tight and edges are clean. This isn’t a rush job.
You also get realistic timelines and transparent pricing. We’re not lowballing you to win the job, then hitting you with change orders. You know what you’re paying upfront, and we build in contingency for weather because this is upstate New York—conditions change.
Sod installation typically runs $1 to $3 per square foot for straightforward projects. That can go higher—sometimes up to $6 per square foot—if your site needs significant prep work like regrading, drainage installation, or soil amendments.
The variables are site condition, access, and how much correction is needed before sod goes down. A flat, accessible yard with decent soil is on the lower end. A sloped lot with drainage issues and compacted soil costs more because there’s more work involved.
We give you a clear estimate after assessing your site. No surprises, no vague ranges. You’ll know what the job costs and what’s included before we start.
Late spring through fall offers the best conditions for sod installation in upstate New York. Soil temps are warm enough for root development, and you’re not fighting frost or frozen ground.
Early spring can work, but wet soil and unpredictable freezes make it tricky. Summer installation is possible but requires more intensive watering to get the sod established. Fall is ideal because cooler temps reduce stress on new grass and give roots time to develop before winter.
Timing also depends on your construction schedule. If you’re building a new home, we coordinate lawn installation after other site work is complete so we’re not tearing up fresh sod with equipment.
No. We handle both, which saves you time and eliminates the finger-pointing that happens when one contractor blames another for problems.
Site prep and lawn installation should be coordinated. The crew doing your grading and drainage work needs to understand what’s required for a healthy lawn. If those are separate companies, details get missed and timelines stretch out.
We’re doing the excavation, grading, drainage, and sod installation. One estimate, one timeline, one point of contact. When something needs adjustment, we handle it without waiting on another contractor to show up.
Drainage gets addressed during site prep, not after. We assess how water moves across your property and where it’s likely to cause problems. Then we grade the site to direct water away from structures and low spots.
If your yard needs more than grading, we install French drains or other drainage solutions depending on the situation. This might mean running perforated pipe to a lower area, adding catch basins, or creating swales that channel water where it won’t damage your lawn or foundation.
In Durkeetown, NY, we see a lot of properties where water doesn’t naturally drain well. Fixing that before sod goes down prevents the pooling, mud, and dead grass that show up later when drainage is ignored.
Cool-season grasses handle upstate New York’s climate best. Fescue is the most popular choice here because it tolerates cold winters, stays green through moderate summers, and doesn’t require excessive maintenance.
Other options include Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, depending on your priorities. Bluegrass looks great but needs more water and care. Ryegrass establishes quickly and handles foot traffic well. Many sod blends combine these for balanced performance.
We’ll recommend what makes sense for your site based on sun exposure, soil type, and how you plan to use the space. Front yard lawn installation in Durkeetown, NY might prioritize appearance, while backyard lawn installation might focus on durability if you have kids or pets.
Plan on staying off the sod for about two weeks while roots establish. Light foot traffic is fine after that, but avoid heavy use for the first month.
Watering is critical during this period. You’ll need to water daily—sometimes twice a day in hot weather—for the first two weeks. After that, you can reduce frequency as the roots take hold.
Full establishment takes about six to eight weeks. That’s when your lawn is truly rooted and can handle normal use. Mowing starts once the grass reaches about three inches, usually within two to three weeks of installation depending on growing conditions.
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