Turfing job - help please?! - Forum - Landscape Juice Network

I am quoting for a reasonably large turfing job - spec is to remove all existing turf (knackered, mossy and weedy), re-level the entire area (very lumpy/bumpy/holey) --- hope you like all these technical words! --- and re-turf.My question is whether I am right in thinking the best way to tackle this is with a digger/driver removing the turf, re-levelling and spreading the topsoil, rather than taking it all up with a turf cutter and re-levelling with a rake???I'm allowing for a minimal 2" topsoil base - do I really need the new topsoil, or would I be safe enough to use the soil under the existing turf. Maybe just have a few cubic metres - 10 or so - for levelling???The area is approx 475m2 and a picture of the garden is attached.The estimate is coming out at around £3,800 - does that seem too high? Includes digger/driver and dumper truck/skip for 2 days, plus 2 days for 2 people to re-lay the turf and tidy etc.Any advice gratefully received before I put this estimate into the customer. Sorry, hope I'm not asking too much of you allThank you!!

Hi Graeme

Was thinking digger + driver (hired in) for 2 days to lift turf, re-level, and bring in topsoil
2 days of Chris (my partner and main landscaper) and our labourer to work with the digger driver
Then 2 days of Chris and labourer to lay turf/tidy up etc
Plus me to kick some butt! :)

I haven't tested soil, but know it is heavy clay

Yes, it is quite badly compacted but drainage doesn't seem too bad - we did discuss that with the client and they seemed happy not to add any extra drainage.

I also spoke at length re the moss problem and explained that even with new turf there'll always be a problem. The worst of the moss is under the trees unsurprisingly and I did suggest that they leave the current grass to naturalise and have a woody area, but Mrs Client wants it all tickety-boo, though understands there may need to be a program of maintenance going forward. Mr Client couldn't give two hoots!

Thanks Graeme

Graeme @ BGS said:

Just a few quick questions before answering your questions:

How many staff do you have available to work on this or would be be looking to call in assistance?

Have you tested to soil or dug any inspection holes?

Is the ground badly compacted? What is the current drainage like?

Judging by the photo, even after re-turfing I think it would be an ongoing challange to keep moss at bay and would require a regular lawn care maint. program.

Replies

Nick Donaghey @ Garden Gurus March 18, 2010 at 3:15pm

I think that you're actually quoting a bit low - I'd charge a minimum of £10 per m2 and might even go higher depending on the prep that you have to do
Graeme @ BGS March 18, 2010 at 4:44pm

Just a few quick questions before answering your questions:

How many staff do you have available to work on this or would be be looking to call in assistance?

Have you tested to soil or dug any inspection holes?

Is the ground badly compacted? What is the current drainage like?

Judging by the photo, even after re-turfing I think it would be an ongoing challange to keep moss at bay and would require a regular lawn care maint. program.
Lawncare-4u.co.uk March 18, 2010 at 4:50pm

id say £3 k max - where is it ???????????
Angela Palmerton March 18, 2010 at 7:21pm

Hi Graeme

Was thinking digger + driver (hired in) for 2 days to lift turf, re-level, and bring in topsoil
2 days of Chris (my partner and main landscaper) and our labourer to work with the digger driver
Then 2 days of Chris and labourer to lay turf/tidy up etc
Plus me to kick some butt! :)

I haven't tested soil, but know it is heavy clay

Yes, it is quite badly compacted but drainage doesn't seem too bad - we did discuss that with the client and they seemed happy not to add any extra drainage.

I also spoke at length re the moss problem and explained that even with new turf there'll always be a problem. The worst of the moss is under the trees unsurprisingly and I did suggest that they leave the current grass to naturalise and have a woody area, but Mrs Client wants it all tickety-boo, though understands there may need to be a program of maintenance going forward. Mr Client couldn't give two hoots!

Thanks Graeme

Graeme @ BGS said:
Just a few quick questions before answering your questions:

How many staff do you have available to work on this or would be be looking to call in assistance?

Have you tested to soil or dug any inspection holes?

Is the ground badly compacted? What is the current drainage like?

Judging by the photo, even after re-turfing I think it would be an ongoing challange to keep moss at bay and would require a regular lawn care maint. program.
Angela Palmerton March 18, 2010 at 7:22pm

West Sussex/Surrey border (Ifold). £3k max - not sure how I could get it done for that unless I am over-estimating the time involved? Cheers Robin

Robin Ainsworth said:
id say £3 k max - where is it ???????????
Angela Palmerton March 18, 2010 at 7:25pm

Suggested that, but concerns from all parties are that it'll just end up looking patchy as we'd never match the existing - in fact they tried that on a small area last year and it does look pretty naff. There's all sorts of levelling problems anyway irrespective of the lawn condition.

Pro Gard said:
Why not treat the turf and level the imperfections..... at least a third cheaper!!!!

With the heavy shade the moss will soon recolonise unless they regularly treat and scarify.
Angela Palmerton March 18, 2010 at 7:25pm

Ah, yes indeed, cheers Colin.

colin said:
you need to source and quote for shady turf not regular turf
Tim Haywood March 18, 2010 at 7:31pm

Can you not kill off the existing turf and rotavate it all in? Perhaps take the opportunity to remove some of the planting that is casting shade?
Angela Palmerton March 18, 2010 at 7:40pm

Aah, now there's an idea which hadn't occured to me. Might try and cost that up as an option. What would I use to kill it?

Tim Haywood said:
Can you not kill off the existing turf and rotavate it all in? Perhaps take the opportunity to remove some of the planting that is casting shade?
Tim Haywood March 18, 2010 at 8:22pm

I would use glyphosate to kill off the existing grass and re-use the existing soil - enhanced with soil improver and pre-turf fertiliser. It saves disposing off all the existing turf, bringing in more topsoil (which is likely to be as lifeless as the stuff you would be taking away). This approach will take longer (a couple of weeks for the grass to die off for starters) and will involve more labour but the lower price usually swings it for the client. More labour and less waste means proportionally more for you rather than skip companies/digger drivers.