Most lawn failures don’t happen because of bad sod. They happen because the ground underneath wasn’t prepared correctly.
You need more than someone who can roll out grass. You need someone who understands grading, drainage, soil composition, and how water moves across your property in Fly Summit, NY. That’s where excavation experience makes the difference.
When we handle a lawn installation in Fly Summit, NY, we start below the surface. We grade for proper drainage so water doesn’t pool in your yard after a storm. We test and amend the soil so roots can actually establish. We till deep enough that your sod doesn’t just sit on top of compacted dirt waiting to die.
The result is a lawn that roots in two to three weeks, handles foot traffic without tearing up, and doesn’t turn into a mud pit or a brown disaster by mid-summer. You get a yard that looks good now and still looks good a year from now.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking has been operating since 1997, starting in logging and moving into full-time excavation in 2020. We’re a family business—Josh runs most jobs personally, and his son joined as a partner in 2022.
We work primarily with homeowners in Fly Summit, NY and surrounding areas who are building new homes or renovating properties that need real site work, not just surface-level landscaping. Our background in excavation means we approach lawn installation the same way we approach a driveway or septic system—get the foundation right, or nothing else matters.
You’re not getting a crew that shows up, drops sod, and leaves. You’re getting someone who understands how to move earth, manage water, and set up your property so the work actually holds up.
We start with a site assessment. That means looking at your soil, checking the grade, and figuring out where water is going to go when it rains. If your property has drainage issues or uneven terrain, we address that first with proper grading and excavation.
Next comes soil prep. We test your soil and add amendments if needed—compost, topsoil, or other materials depending on what’s already there. Then we till the ground deep enough that roots can penetrate and establish. This isn’t optional. Laying sod over hard-packed dirt is why most installations fail.
Once the ground is prepped and leveled, we install the sod. Timing matters here—early fall or spring is ideal in Fly Summit, NY, when temperatures are cooler and the grass can root before extreme heat or cold hits. We lay it tight, stagger the seams, and make sure edges are clean.
After installation, we walk you through the watering schedule. New sod needs consistent moisture for the first two to three weeks while it roots. Too much water invites disease. Too little and it goes into shock. We give you a realistic plan based on the season and your soil type.
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A professional lawn installation in Fly Summit, NY includes site preparation, grading, soil testing and amendments, sod selection, installation, and post-install guidance. We also handle any necessary excavation work if your property needs more significant reshaping or drainage solutions.
For front yard lawn installation in Fly Summit, NY, we pay extra attention to curb appeal and how the grade transitions to your driveway or walkways. For backyard lawn installation in Fly Summit, NY, we focus on how the space will be used—whether that’s foot traffic from kids and pets, or a more decorative setup with flower bed installation or tree planting service integrated into the design.
If you’re adding new flower bed design or tree planting service alongside your lawn, we coordinate that work so everything is installed in the right sequence. Beds get edged and prepped after grading but before sod goes down. Trees get planted in locations that won’t interfere with mowing or irrigation.
We’re also equipped to handle larger properties or more complex terrain. Our excavation background means we can move earth, build up low areas, or cut down high spots to create a level, usable yard where there wasn’t one before.
Early fall and mid-spring are the best windows for sod installation in Fly Summit, NY. Fall is ideal because temperatures are cooler, rainfall is more consistent, and the grass has time to root deeply before winter. That gives you a thick, healthy lawn by the time spring arrives.
Spring works well too, as long as you’re not installing in the peak heat of late June or July. Summer installations are possible, but they require more water and come with higher risk of disease or fungus if the sod stays too wet in the heat.
Winter installation isn’t recommended. Frozen ground prevents roots from establishing, and the sod essentially sits dormant until spring—which means you’re paying for grass that won’t actually take hold for months.
New sod typically roots in two to three weeks if it’s installed correctly and watered properly. You’ll know it’s rooted when you can gently tug on the grass and it resists—meaning the roots have grown into the soil below.
During those first few weeks, stay off the lawn as much as possible. Light foot traffic is fine after about 10 days, but avoid heavy use, pets running around, or anything that could tear up the sod before it’s fully anchored.
Once it’s rooted, you can mow it for the first time. Wait until the grass is about three to four inches tall, and only cut off the top third. Mowing too early or too short stresses the grass and slows establishment.
Most sod failures come down to poor soil prep or bad installation timing. If the ground isn’t tilled and the sod is just laid over compacted dirt, roots can’t penetrate. The grass sits on top, dries out quickly, and either dies or grows weak and patchy.
Drainage is the other big issue. If water pools on your lawn because the grade is wrong, the sod will drown. Grass needs oxygen at the root level. Standing water cuts that off and invites disease.
We prevent both problems by grading your property correctly, tilling deep, and amending the soil before installation. We also time the install based on weather and season, and give you a clear watering plan so the sod gets what it needs without being overwatered.
Yes, but it requires more prep work. Slopes need to be graded and stabilized so the sod doesn’t slide or erode after a heavy rain. We’ll often terrace steep areas or add retaining elements if the slope is severe.
For uneven yards, we bring in equipment to level the ground or build up low spots with fill and topsoil. The goal is to create a smooth, even surface that drains properly and gives the sod a stable base to root into.
This is where excavation experience matters. We’re not just laying grass—we’re reshaping the land so the grass can actually survive. That might mean moving several yards of soil, regrading large sections, or installing drainage solutions before the sod ever goes down.
Yes. If you’re putting in a new lawn, it’s the right time to add flower bed installation in Fly Summit, NY or tree planting service in Fly Summit, NY. We can design and install new flower beds along the edges of your property, around walkways, or as focal points in the yard.
For tree planting, we’ll help you choose locations that make sense for the species, your property layout, and future maintenance. Trees need to be planted before or alongside sod installation so we’re not tearing up new grass later.
We coordinate all of that work in the right order—grading and drainage first, then beds and trees, then sod installation last. That way everything is integrated into one clean project instead of multiple crews coming back and disrupting your yard.
Sod installation typically runs between 90 cents and $1.80 per square foot, depending on the size of the area, soil conditions, and how much prep work is needed. If your property requires grading, drainage work, or significant excavation, that adds to the cost but also ensures the lawn actually lasts.
We give you a clear, upfront estimate after walking your property. No hidden fees. No surprises. You’ll know what the job costs and what’s included before we start.
The investment is higher than throwing down seed, but you get an instant lawn that’s ready to use in weeks instead of months. You also avoid the trial-and-error of DIY installs that fail because the groundwork wasn’t done right.
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