Your lawn installation in Moreau, NY starts below the surface. If the soil isn’t graded properly, if drainage isn’t thought through, if compaction isn’t addressed—you’re going to have problems six months in, not solutions.
We handle the excavation side first. That means proper grading so water moves away from your foundation. It means bringing in quality topsoil and preparing a clean seedbed. It means thinking about how your property drains during spring thaw or after a heavy storm.
When you’re putting in a backyard lawn installation or starting fresh with a front yard lawn installation, the prep work determines whether you’re mowing a healthy lawn next summer or dealing with mud patches and standing water. We’ve been doing excavation work in Saratoga County since 1997, and we’ve seen what happens when corners get cut. You end up paying twice—once for the bad job, once to fix it.
We’ve been working in Moreau, NY and throughout Saratoga County since 1997. We started in logging, moved into full-time excavation in 2020, and we’ve been on-site for hundreds of projects since then—from new home site prep to sod installation.
Josh is on almost every job. That’s not marketing talk—it’s how we operate. When you’re dealing with grading, drainage, and soil prep for a new lawn, you want someone who knows the local soil conditions and isn’t learning on your property.
We’re a family business. Josh’s son joined as a partner in 2022, and we’re growing carefully—adding crews, taking on the right projects, and making sure every job gets the attention it needs. If you’re looking for the cheapest price, we’re probably not it. If you want the work done right the first time with someone who’ll actually be there, that’s us.
First, we look at your property. That means understanding drainage, existing soil conditions, and what kind of grading work needs to happen before anything else. If there’s old sod, debris, or compacted soil, we clear it out and start fresh.
Next comes the grading and soil prep. We bring in topsoil if needed, grade everything so water flows away from structures, and create a level surface that’s ready for seed or sod. This is where most DIY jobs and cheaper contractors fall short—they skip steps, and you pay for it later.
Then we install. Whether it’s sod installation in Moreau, NY for instant results or seeding for a more gradual establishment, we make sure it’s done on properly prepped ground. We can also handle flower bed installation and tree planting service if you’re looking to complete the landscape in one go.
After installation, we walk you through what to expect. How much water your new lawn needs, when you can start mowing, what to watch for in the first few weeks. We’re not handing you a mystery—we’re setting you up to maintain what we just built.
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Site preparation is the foundation. We handle excavation, grading, debris removal, and soil amendment. If your property has drainage issues or uneven terrain, we address that before any grass goes down. That’s the advantage of working with an excavation company for your lawn installation in Moreau, NY—we have the equipment and experience to do the heavy work right.
Topsoil and material delivery comes next. We bring in quality topsoil, not fill dirt with rocks and clay. The soil you start with determines how well your lawn establishes, especially with New York’s freeze-thaw cycles and the clay-heavy soils common in Saratoga County.
Installation itself—whether it’s sod installation for immediate coverage or seeding for a more budget-friendly option—is done on a properly prepared base. We also offer flower bed installation and tree planting service to complete your landscape. Everything from site prep to final cleanup is handled by our crew, and Josh is there to make sure it’s done to standard.
You’ll get a clear estimate upfront. No surprise charges, no hidden fees. We tell you what the job costs, what’s included, and what timeline to expect. If you need permits or have questions about compliance, we handle that too.
Sod installation in New York typically runs between $1,300 and $3,500 for an average residential lawn, with most projects landing around $2,200. That’s for the sod itself and basic installation. If you need excavation, grading, topsoil, or drainage work—which most properties do—you’re looking at additional costs for that prep work.
The price depends on your property’s current condition. If we’re working with compacted soil, poor drainage, or significant grading needs, the prep work takes more time and material. A flat, well-draining yard with decent existing soil costs less than a sloped lot with clay and standing water issues.
We give you a clear estimate after looking at your property. No guessing, no range that doubles once we start. You’ll know what the excavation work costs, what the materials cost, and what the installation costs before we do anything.
For sod installation in Moreau, NY, late summer through early fall is ideal—typically late August through September. The soil is still warm, which helps roots establish, but the air is cooler and we usually get more consistent rain. Spring is the second-best window, usually late April through May, once the ground thaws and dries out enough to work.
Seeding works well in early fall too, especially for the cool-season grasses that perform best in our climate—fescues, bluegrass, ryegrass. Spring seeding can work, but you’re competing with weeds and dealing with inconsistent weather.
Avoid summer installation if possible. July and August heat stresses new sod, and you’ll be watering constantly just to keep it alive. If you’re doing excavation and site prep, we can handle that work year-round and time the actual installation for the right season. That way your lawn goes in when conditions support establishment, not when it’s convenient for the calendar.
Most properties need at least some excavation or grading work, yes. If your yard has drainage problems, uneven terrain, compacted soil, or you’re dealing with construction debris from a new build, you need that addressed before grass goes down. Skipping it means your lawn won’t establish properly, and you’ll have ongoing issues with water pooling, dead spots, or erosion.
We see this constantly in Moreau, NY and throughout Saratoga County—homeowners try to lay sod over unprepared ground, and within a year they’re dealing with problems that cost more to fix than doing it right the first time. Proper site prep means grading for drainage, removing rocks and debris, loosening compacted soil, and adding quality topsoil where needed.
If you’re working with an existing lawn that just needs renovation, you might not need full excavation. But for new lawn installation—especially around new construction or on properties with known drainage issues—excavation and grading are part of the job, not an optional add-on.
Sod gives you instant results. You’ll have a green, established-looking lawn within weeks instead of months, and you can use it sooner. It’s more expensive upfront, but if you need your yard functional quickly—or if you’re dealing with erosion concerns or a tight timeline—sod installation in Moreau, NY makes sense.
Seeding costs less and actually gives you a stronger root system long-term, but it takes patience. You’re looking at several weeks before you see real growth, and a few months before the lawn is fully established and ready for regular use. You’ll also need to stay off it longer and manage watering carefully during germination.
For most residential projects, sod is worth the investment if budget allows. It’s less vulnerable to washout, weed competition, and weather disruption. If you’re working on a larger area or cost is a primary concern, seeding can work well—especially if we’re doing it in early fall when conditions support germination. Either way, the site prep is the same. The grass won’t thrive if the ground isn’t ready for it.
Yes, and it usually makes sense to do it all at once. If we’re already on-site with excavation equipment for your lawn installation in Moreau, NY, adding flower bed installation or tree planting service is efficient. We can prep the beds, amend the soil, and install plantings while we’re handling the rest of your landscape.
Flower beds need proper edging and soil prep just like lawns do. We’ll excavate to the right depth, install edging or borders if you want them, and bring in amended soil or mulch depending on what you’re planting. If you’re putting in perennials or shrubs, fall is a great time—roots establish over winter, and you get growth in spring.
Tree planting works similarly. We dig the hole to the right size, make sure drainage is adequate, and plant at the correct depth. Choosing native species or trees suited to New York’s climate means less maintenance and better survival rates. If you’re planning a full landscape—lawn, beds, and trees—we can coordinate the whole project so everything goes in during the right season and you’re not dealing with multiple contractors tearing up your property at different times.
Watering is the biggest factor in the first few weeks. New sod needs consistent moisture—usually watering once or twice daily for the first two weeks, then tapering off as roots establish. You want the soil underneath to stay moist but not soggy. Seeded lawns need even more attention during germination, with light, frequent watering to keep the surface from drying out.
Stay off the lawn as much as possible for the first few weeks. Sod needs time for roots to anchor into the soil below, and foot traffic or equipment can disrupt that. For seeded lawns, avoid any traffic until the grass is a few inches tall and you’ve mowed it at least once.
Mowing starts once the grass reaches about three to four inches. Keep your mower blade sharp and don’t cut more than a third of the height at once. For new lawns, slightly taller grass encourages deeper root growth and handles stress better. After the first season, your lawn will need regular mowing, occasional fertilization, and aeration every year or two depending on soil compaction. We’ll walk you through the specifics based on what we installed and your property’s conditions.
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