I just completed building new house in Ohio and is in the process of
having
a lawn installed by a lawn service. Now the lot has a lot of stone in it.
One service said the will bring in a rock hound to work the dirt, put in
60lbs of grass seed and straw for a $1050. The next said they would bring
in a rock hound, rake the dirt after the rock hound, deliver and spread
top
soil, 100 lbs of grass seed, spread biodegradable straw, fertilize the
lawn
for the rest of the year for $3000. The last one said the would bring in
a
rock hound, rake the dirt after the rock hound, and grass seed and straw
for
$895. Quite a difference in price and what service they will provide.
Can
any one give me some good advice in what to look for in having a good
quality lawn installed? Thank you in advance.

In my opinion, the most important decision to make in getting a quality
lawn installed is to choose the best type of grass for your area. If you
leave the decision up to the contracter/landscaper, they may choose an
appropriate variety, or (like so many hydroseeders I know) they may just
pick whatever will germinate the most quickly, giving you near-instant
gratification.

If it were me, here's what I'd do:

1. Hire someone to bring in the rock hound and clean it up.
2. Either install a sprinkling system yourself, or have one installed.
3. Figure out which kind of grass you really want to use. There will be
plenty of people to help you make a good choice.
4. Buy a spreader and some seed, and throw it down yourself. It's not
hard, and it's not rocket science.
5. Water.

Of course, that's just me.

steve