Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: akshatp
We just got our 13,000 sq ft completely redone. The landscapers removed about 2-3inches off the top of existing turf/weed/clay/etc, then leveled what remained. They then brought in about 60 cu yds of fresh screened topsoil and graded the property with it.
Next day, seeded (not power), put down fert and then hay to cover. They also put a 2 ft section of mulch around the house and also along the property lines on the perimeter. Total cost = $2900
They did a great job. We water every day for 15 minutes at 5 am (sprinkler system) and in 2.5 wks we already have a thick beautiful lawn. Best on our street, which is 2 years old. There are some rogue weeds but they are hard to find and the landscaper told us we will see some now and then, but next year when we spray it will take care of them.
They are also coming back next week to "overseed" the property and re-fertilize prior to the cold weather.
All in all, I was skeptical of them at first, but they did a tremendous job. And at a price which was half of what others were charging.
Wow!
Now THAT'S how you get a new lawn, properly. Especially the topsoil. I'd gladly pay that for a truely new lawn. That's an incrediblely awesome price for that kind of work.
I'm still in awe that you got all that work for that price. How many man hours you think? The removal of the soil and material cost for topsoil/equipment would be 2900 alone I'd think. Not to mention everything else.
I think this guy just doesn't want my business, because I've still got sticker shock. I'm going to offer him 500 for the dethatch/powerseed because that's what I feel it's worth for one day. Problem is the clock is ticking with each day for me being so late in the year.
Yea, best time would have been mid September, and now that I think about it, its been close to a month already since we had this done! Damn!!
Like you, I was amazed and in awe at the price, which is why I was skeptical at first. As for man hours, I didnt keep track to closely, but here is what I would guesstimate at:
Day 1: Breakup of turf with digger/claw - 1 guy 4 hours
Day 2: Removal of existing crap - 5 guys 8 hours
Day 3: Grade with new topsoil and prepare yard for seed - 5 or 6 guys 8 hours
Day 4: Final grading and Seed, fertilize and hay - 3 guys 6 hours
Day 5: Laydown mulch - 2 guys 3 hours
So figure about 100 hours give or take. Add to that the cost of topsoil, seed, fert, hay, mulch I dont know how this guy made any money.
Each day, the owner came by throughout the day and kept checking on his guys and even helped out sometimes. He was extremely friendly and we even gave him another job at our old house that we are trying to sell. He removed 8 huge tree stumps for $700!!!
We have been recommending him HARD to our neighbors and family/friends, so maybe that is what he wanted. Or maybe he underestimated the work and couldnt go back on his word. On the contract, he actully had put down $2700, but verbally we had agreed to $2900 so when it came time to pay I gladly paid him the full $2900.
Each day we repeatedly offered the workers soda/water/snacks/etc and I think they really appreciated it because at the end of each work day, they completely tidied up everything, even sprayed the driveway/sidewalk/walkway clear of any kicked up dirt/grass/etc. They didnt speak English very well, but they did a great job.
I really hope some of our neighbors give him work, because our builder didnt do a good job with grading/seeding and everyones lawn is either dead, or non-existent and yards are full of weeds.
Ill try and take pics tomorrow; I wish I was taking them daily to show and track progression.
PS The cheapest quote I got from bigger, more established landscaping companies was $6100, and my highest quote came in at $9,700 from the guys who installed our sprinkler system. So while I wouldnt expect to pay 2900 for all that, you can certainly negotiate it down or find a cheaper option.
This company has no website, no phone listing in Google, and uses a personal GMAIL account as their company email. When I asked where I could see his work, he told me to drive 65 miles to see his last job. For some reason, my father said he had a gut feeling that this man was the one to go with, and I was against it from the start; but trust me, I am hearing the I told you so's, and rightly so.
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