Thin patches
Bare spots or thin areas. Overseeding in spring or fall usually works.
Services · Lawns and sod
New lawns and lawn renovation
Moss, bare patches and soggy spots are the three complaints we hear most about Lower Mainland lawns. Sometimes the fix is aeration and overseeding. Sometimes it's starting over with new soil and sod. Describe your lawn and local pros will tell you which.
- Best months Apr and Sep
- New sod walkable in about 2–3 weeks
- Moss usually means shade, wet or compacted soil
Warning signs
How serious is it?
Moss everywhere
Moss outcompeting grass. Needs the cause fixed plus renovation.
Soggy, dead or bumpy
A lawn beyond repair. Time to strip it, fix soil and drainage, and re-sod.
Options
The main ways landscapers handle it
| Option | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Aeration and overseeding | Opening up compacted soil and adding new seed | Thin lawns with decent soil |
| Topdressing | Spreading a thin layer of soil or compost | Bumpy or poor soil lawns |
| New sod | Removing the old lawn and laying fresh sod on prepared soil | Lawns beyond repair |
| Moss control | Treating moss and fixing shade, drainage or compaction | Mossy lawns |
Local conditions
Moss is a symptom, not the problem
Moss thrives in exactly the conditions many valley lawns have: mild wet winters, shade from cedars and big trees, and compacted soil that holds water. Killing it without fixing the cause means it comes back next spring.
A good lawn quote looks at drainage, soil depth and sunlight first, then recommends renovation or replacement.
What a good quote includes
- Removal of old lawn if replacing
- Soil depth and topsoil import
- Grading and rolling
- Sod or seed type for sun or shade
- Watering instructions
- Aeration and overseeding if renovating
- Moss treatment and cause
- Follow-up visit
Watch for: New sod laid on less than a few inches of decent soil. It looks great for a month and struggles every summer after.
Costs
Typical lawns and sod prices
| Job | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| New sod, 1,000 sq ft | $2,000 – $4,000 | Old lawn removal, soil import, grading |
| Aeration and overseeding, average lot | $250 – $600 | Lawn size, seed type, topdressing |
Ranges are for budgeting only. Your quotes are based on a site visit.
Questions
Lawns and sod questions
Sod or seed?
Sod gives an instant lawn and is best in spring or early fall. Seed is cheaper but takes longer and needs careful watering.
When is the best time for a new lawn?
April and September are ideal in the valley. Avoid the hottest weeks of summer unless you can water reliably.
Often done together
Lawns and sod by town
Metro Vancouver
- Surrey →
- Vancouver →
- Burnaby →
- Richmond →
- Delta →
- White Rock →
- Coquitlam →
- Port Coquitlam →
- Port Moody →
- New Westminster →
- North Vancouver →
- West Vancouver →
- Pitt Meadows →
Fraser Valley
Ready to compare lawns and sod quotes?
Send one request and hear from up to 3 local companies.