Hello Everyone,
This is my first post here. I found the group when searching for an answer to a dilema I have at the minute.
I am stuck with a problem and desperate for an answer. I would really appreciate a bit of advice.
what it is: am quoting on a job to replace a lawn. its huge compared to what Ive done before, 250sq M. The cost of stripping the top layer and disposing seems enormous, could come to 8 pallets or more of rolled up turf. even guessing how much of a skip or skips at london prices, plus the labour could add another £450 to the price.
I read somewhere of spraying round up, leaving it, and then rotovating. then take all the rubbish out, grass roots stones etc and proceed as normal with the leveling etc.
what do ye think? would that leave nearly the same amount of work getting all the roots etc out of the soil and bagging it all up?
customer does not want any extra topsoil either, says whats there is good. I think if I strip the top inch , that's the best stuff gone?
Thanks for reading and for any advice!!!
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Replies
Hello Alex,
No its not necessary to strip as long as the client isn't in a major rush to get the work done. One method i often use is to first cut the grass down as low as you can get it then thoroughgly spray it with a general systemic herbicide such as roundup. Because the grass is so short it will die and decompose fairlky quickly (3 or 4 weeks). Once the grass has decomposed you can then rotavate and level the soil, the grass roots should have also rotted down by this point so there should be no need to remove them. This method saves you having to strip and dispose of large quantities of turf and avoids having to bring in extra top soil, the major disadvantage though is that its more difficult to get a nice fine tilth when you rotavate it, theres also the 4 weeks you have to wait before you can do it.
Hope this helps.
Recently I shaved a very poor lawn as the lady was on a very tight budget and little grass left as covered by rotten leaves and had been very long as neglected for a year. The lawn did recover for the following year and looked good enough.
My current Problem is that a customer a very rough lawn which is very undulating and needs levelling so I am wondering whither do dig over the lawn and level using a rake and lay turf. The lawn is an area of 50 meters I think.
Thanks very much for the comments and valuable advice lads , I used it when putting my costs together for the quote. I gave her a price of 1850.00 for the Roundup oprion and £2200 for the stripping and dumping one.
I did add a bit on to cover the inevitable hurdles and delays that can happen. I also was incluing the cost of a cutter and rotovator because the job was so big, and a skip @200.00
In the end she said she wouldnt be going with me, thanks very much etc. said had another cheaper quote who would take the old turf away(to where, I wonder?) and all for less than 1800.00
SO I am glad in a way, its the other side of the city and I picked up 2 smaller lawns that are closer to home that will be easier.
cheers!
axel keating said:
I think you got a lucky escape by her not accepting your quote.
I just completed 150M2 and charged at £14 M2 and I thought that was cheap. Your quote was around £8 - £9 per M2 with skip hire.
Graeme
thats just what I was thinking,1850 does seem low, but obviously not low enough to get the business-but I agree it could be a lucky escape.
Graeme @ BGS said: