You’ve just built something. Maybe it’s a new home, maybe you’ve cleared land, or maybe you’re finally addressing that yard that never quite worked. Either way, you’re staring at dirt, rocks, and the reality that this needs to be done right or you’ll be dealing with mud, drainage problems, and dead patches for years.
That’s where professional lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY makes the difference. We’re not rolling out sod over whatever’s there and calling it done. We’re grading for drainage, prepping the soil so grass actually has a chance, and installing everything—from sod to flower beds to trees—in a way that holds up through Lake George winters and summer heat.
You end up with a yard that looks intentional. One that doesn’t turn into a swamp when it rains. One that your kids or dogs can actually use without tracking half of it inside.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking started in 1997 as a logging operation. We moved into full-time excavation in 2020, and my son joined as a partner in 2022. We’re a family business, and I’m on almost every job we do.
That matters because when you’re investing in backyard lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY or front yard lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY, you want someone who’s going to treat your property like it’s their own. We’re not a crew that shows up, does the minimum, and disappears. We’re the people you call back when you need something else done—because we did it right the first time.
Cleverdale sits right on Lake George, which means your soil, drainage, and weather conditions aren’t average. We know how to work with that.
First, we look at your property. Not just a quick walk-through—we’re checking grade, drainage, soil condition, and what’s realistic given your timeline and budget. If there’s going to be a problem, we tell you before we start.
Next comes site preparation. We grade the area so water moves away from your foundation, not toward it. We remove rocks, roots, and construction debris. We bring in quality topsoil if what’s there isn’t going to cut it. This is the part most people skip, and it’s the part that determines whether your lawn actually survives.
Then we install. Sod installation in Cleverdale, NY gives you an instant lawn with fewer weeds and faster results than seed. If you want flower bed installation in Cleverdale, NY or tree planting service in Cleverdale, NY, we handle that too—all in one project, so you’re not coordinating three different contractors.
After installation, we walk you through what to do next. Watering schedules, when to mow, what to watch for. You’re not guessing.
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You’re getting more than sod rolled out. You’re getting site prep that actually addresses drainage and soil quality. You’re getting professional lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY that takes into account how Lake George weather affects your property. And you’re getting someone who owns the equipment, knows the area, and isn’t going to cut corners because we’re juggling ten other jobs.
We also handle flower bed installation in Cleverdale, NY and new flower bed design in Cleverdale, NY if you want landscaping that complements the lawn. Same goes for tree planting service in Cleverdale, NY—we can help you choose varieties that work in this climate and plant them correctly so they actually grow.
The goal is a finished property. Not a lawn with a bunch of “we’ll fix that later” issues. Cleverdale homeowners are looking for outdoor spaces that work with the natural beauty of the area, and that’s what we build. Whether it’s a backyard lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY for your kids to play on or a front yard lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY that makes your home look complete, we’re handling every phase.
Sod starts rooting within 7 to 14 days if it’s watered correctly, but full establishment takes about 2 to 3 weeks. That’s when the roots have grown deep enough into your soil that the sod won’t lift when you walk on it.
In Cleverdale, NY, timing matters. Late spring through early fall is ideal because soil temperatures are warm enough for root growth, and you’re not fighting extreme heat or early frost. If we install in summer, you’ll need to water more frequently—sometimes twice a day for the first week—because heat stresses new sod.
After those first few weeks, you can start mowing (set your blade high) and gradually reduce watering as the grass establishes. The key is not letting it dry out during that initial rooting period. That’s where most DIY jobs fail.
Sod gives you an instant lawn with fewer weeds and faster usability. Seed is cheaper upfront but takes months to establish, requires more watering, and leaves your soil exposed to erosion and weed growth during that time.
For most Cleverdale, NY properties—especially new construction sites or areas where you’ve just cleared land—sod makes more sense. You’re not waiting 8 to 12 weeks for grass to fill in. You’re not reseeding bare spots. And you’re not dealing with mud tracked into your house every time it rains.
Seed can work if you have a large area, a tight budget, and patience. But if you want a lawn you can use this season, sod installation in Cleverdale, NY is the way to go. We prep the soil the same way for both, so the long-term results are comparable—it’s really about how fast you need it done.
Not always, but often. If your property is a new construction site, the topsoil is probably compacted or stripped away entirely. If it’s an older yard, the soil might be depleted, rocky, or full of clay. Either way, grass won’t establish well without decent topsoil.
We test the soil when we evaluate your property. If what’s there is salvageable, we’ll work with it—loosen it up, amend it if needed, and grade it properly. If it’s not salvageable, we bring in quality topsoil and spread it to the right depth (usually 4 to 6 inches) before installing sod.
This is one of those steps that separates a professional lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY from a cheap one. You can lay sod over anything, but it won’t root properly if the soil underneath isn’t right. We’d rather do it correctly once than have you call us back in a year because half your lawn died.
Yes, and it’s usually smarter to do it that way. If you want flower bed installation in Cleverdale, NY or tree planting service in Cleverdale, NY along with your lawn, we can coordinate everything in one project. That means we’re grading for drainage with the full layout in mind, not trying to retrofit flower beds after the lawn is already in.
We’ll map out where trees and flower beds go, prep those areas separately (different soil needs), and then install the lawn around them. You end up with a cohesive landscape instead of a patchwork of projects that don’t quite line up.
This also saves you time and money. You’re not paying for mobilization twice. You’re not dealing with multiple contractors who may or may not show up when they say they will. And you’re not tearing up parts of your new lawn to add landscaping later.
Water it. That’s the big one. For the first two weeks, your new sod needs consistent moisture—enough that the soil underneath stays damp but not flooded. In Cleverdale, NY, that usually means watering once or twice a day depending on temperature and rainfall.
After the sod establishes, you can back off to deeper, less frequent watering (about an inch per week). Mow when the grass reaches 3 to 4 inches, and keep your mower blade sharp so you’re cutting, not tearing. Don’t mow too short—taller grass develops deeper roots and handles heat and drought better.
Fertilize in early spring and fall with a slow-release product. Watch for weeds and address them early before they spread. If you notice areas that aren’t draining well or spots that stay soggy, call us. We’d rather fix a grade issue now than have you deal with dead grass later. Lawn care doesn’t have to be complicated, but consistency matters.
It depends on your property. Site prep, soil quality, grading needs, and total square footage all factor in. A small front yard lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY with minimal prep will cost less than a large backyard lawn installation in Cleverdale, NY that needs significant grading and new topsoil.
We give you a clear estimate upfront after we’ve looked at your property. No surprises, no hidden fees. If we see something during the job that’s going to add cost, we talk to you before we do the work.
Most homeowners in the Lake George area spend anywhere from a few thousand to over ten thousand depending on scope. Sod itself isn’t the expensive part—it’s the prep work that makes or breaks the project. We’re not the cheapest option, and that’s intentional. You’re paying for proper drainage, quality materials, and someone who’s going to be around if something needs attention later. We’ve been doing this since 1997, and we plan to keep doing it. That means we care how your lawn looks five years from now, not just five days from now.
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