The Schmuck wrote:
Hello,

Hoping someone can help me! Bought my house three years ago and the
lawn in the backyard was poorly maintained. My lawn is now half dead
and in the spots where it has survived, it's infested with weeds. I've
had two landscaping companies come and provide estimates so far and
their estimates are as follows:

1. $1800 - remove all sod, dig 4 feet deep, add soil, resod.
2. $1200 - remove all sod, dig 1 foot deep, add soil, resod.

Question I have is, how deep is deep enough? 4 feet seem awfully deep,
like halfway down to the bottom of the foundation..

Four feet is just about right, if you're putting in a sewer line. But
it's a joke for a lawn renovation. One foot deep is fine, but the
quotes are worthless. What does "add soil" mean. If the quote said
add X cubic yards of topsoil or add 4" of topsoil over the backyard
which is an area of 1000 sq feet, then you would know what you are
getting. I'd also want to know what kind of sod it is, what guarantee
you have etc. This kind of quote is how shysters make money.

It's impossible to tell you what to do without knowing what kind of
soil you have, the drainage, amount of sun, etc.




but is 1 foot
enough? Should I ask the 2nd estimate to dig 2 feet instead at a
slightly higher cost?

Any insight/help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

JS