Pictures :waving:

 

I wouldn't try to do it all at once.

If there is a possibility of adding a thin layer that settles into the 'valleys' w/out disturbing the sod; I would add a sandy compost mix. This will in fact enhance the growth in those valleys and give the 'crown' a season to adjust.
Then next year or even this Fall, do it all again.

Otherwise, you can lift the sod in bad areas, level/settle the soil to what is required, then replace the sod. Do it early, b4 the heat comes.

These would be the 2, cheapest and healthiest methods of renovating the lawn, for smoothness.

 

heres the pics

 

I would almost junk out all the sod and level it real nice and seed it instead of sodding.

 

That is not in my budget.

 

I would get ahold of whomever did the grade/sod work and have them come fix their mess...that looks like more than just being walked on, more like shotty work

 

the ground is still soft. I sink when i walk in some parts of the yard.

 

I would get ahold of whomever did the grade/sod work and have them come fix their mess...that looks like more than just being walked on, more like shotty work

I second that. No landscaper in my parts could get away with such a poor install. The fact that the OP sinks when he walks on the lawn tells me that the ground was not rolled and graded properly prior to the sod being put down. The installer threw down the grass on ground that was not leveled properly. Get that turkey back there and make him do the job right.

 

u will never mow that with a reel mower
tear it out and start over

 

A rotary mower on that Martian surface would look just as bad, if not worse. Make the installing contractor either fix it or re do it.

 

I agree with everyone else, have the knucklehead come back and fix his work.

 

I will try, problem is I don't think they will come fix it. The builder is the one that hires the landscaper, so the builder would be on the hook for it. I was just looking for some quotes on what it would cost to level the yard. I am looking at doing it myself but wanted to see what the pros were charging.
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It would be more expensive then starting new. All the sod needs to come up and then the harley rake needs to go over it. This was a hack job!

 

When you think the ground is ready and level, Soak it down and water will settle down the soft spots. When it dries you relevel and lay the sod, then soak again.

Looks like you had the High School Debate Team put this sod down. High School Horticulture class would have done it correctly.

When it dries, go over good with an aerator [plugger] several times drag compost and sand over it. The again when the lawn has sufficiently recovered. Good Luck.

 

As I expected, the builder of the house was only responsible for putting ground cover down. He said the yard was rolled and graded. I can vouch for them grading I cant vouch for how good of a job they did. So getting them to come out and redo it is not going to happen. There is no way that I can explain to wife that I need to tear out my brand new yard that is already starting to turn green. She would not allow it. Soooooo, back to my original question, can I just level out the spots with sand/compost/topsoil mix? The entire yard is not as bad as the pics I posted those were just the bad spots. Also what would one of your guys landscaping crew charge to come out and level this thing.

 

About $150 per 1000 sq ft for a sand top dress.
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Thank you cgaengineer. Now do you think that would fix the problem I currently have? Or would it have to been done in multiple applications?

 

I will pm ypu later on this...
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If you are going to just level it all with a topdress in a one time shot, then reseeding would also be an issue. Bad for sod though, could cause weed establishment instead. One could always pick up the worst pieces and add fertile soil underneath.

Having a 'landscape crew' come in and do it right is either out of budget or not. Having a landscape crew come in and do it in an 'unconventional' fashion is throwing good money after bad. DIY over time for correct results.

 

That is what i am thinking of doing. From what I have read and seen online.

If i have an area with a 3" low spot i would fill about 1/2-1" sand top soil mix, and let it settle and let the grass make its way through, then reapply sand top soil mix a few weeks later.

Is that kind of how it works with out gettting to technical with it?

 

That is what i am thinking of doing. From what I have read and seen online.

If i have an area with a 3" low spot i would fill about 1/2-1" sand top soil mix, and let it settle and let the grass make its way through, then reapply sand top soil mix a few weeks later.

Is that kind of how it works with out gettting to technical with it?

That is pretty much as technical as it gets.
Might want to consider compost as well.

 

I assume you are stuck with that. If you are and you are going to do it yourself the cheapest way to take care of it would be to buy a roller and start rolling. When the grass starts growing this spring I would get a load of sandy soil and start filling in the low areas. Water good this coming year to establish the grass. It will take a season or two but it will eventually come out. When you mow I would mulch.

Good Luck.

 

Bring the soil up to field capacity, roll it out best you can, then start filling the low spots with a topsoil (sandy loam with compost would be ideal). As you have already discovered, if you do this incrementally you won't kill the existing turf. Beyond that, research how to irrigate properly. Many of those depressions look to be the result of walking on an extremely wet soil (i.e. mud).

 

There has been pretty much zero irragation going on. Sod was laid in december and we have had at least 1 good rain shower a week since then sometimes more. That area that is very lumpy does not get much sun and it does feel muddy underneath. the products that you speak of. would it be best/cost effective to have loads delivered? What exactly would i ask for when I talk to the "Dirt Yard"

 

There has been pretty much zero irragation going on. Sod was laid in december and we have had at least 1 good rain shower a week since then sometimes more. That area that is very lumpy does not get much sun and it does feel muddy underneath. the products that you speak of. would it be best/cost effective to have loads delivered? What exactly would i ask for when I talk to the "Dirt Yard"

It would be far more cost effective to get your topsoil in bulk. That said, unless you have somewhere to store it, it won't do you much good to get more than you can use in one shot. You won't really know how much you need until you roll it out. Keep in mind, depending on the depth of the depressions once you have rolled it out, this method of "leveling" could take 1-2 years to get it right.

Also, word of warning. Some vendors sell a bagged "topsoil" that is worthless for leveling, if you decide to go the bag route. It needs to be primarily sand based, and the difference is clear in the weight of the bag.