How can I fix a bumpy lawn cost affectively?

[jagmagic]

I live in northern Oklahoma. My town and local economy are going faster than most local contractors (in all areas) can keep up with. A lot of them have really started cutting corners, home builders especially.

I have about eight new customers this season with brand new $200,000 - $300,000 homes with lawns put down by the home builder instead of a subbed landscaper. They lay the sod over Oklahoma clay and fill dirt, (not soil) to save a buck. Now the lawns are so bumpy and filled with low spots even my 21" mowers leave blade marks scalping some areas.

I was wondering if any of you seasoned veterans have experienced this and have any insight as to an economical way (short of tillin up, levelling, and resodding the entire lawn?

Any help would be great thanks, Joe

[MarkD715]

Do what I do Joe....wait till a day after a good rain and roll it with a extra large lawn roller. My dad made me a 800 lb roller and it works nice on most lawns.

[TinkerLawn]

I would just add dirt and seed in the fall, seems to be the cheapest way for me.

[Dallas Turf]

I live in northern Oklahoma. My town and local economy are going faster than most local contractors (in all areas) can keep up with. A lot of them have really started cutting corners, home builders especially.

I have about eight new customers this season with brand new $200,000 - $300,000 homes with lawns put down by the home builder instead of a subbed landscaper. They lay the sod over Oklahoma clay and fill dirt, (not soil) to save a buck. Now the lawns are so bumpy and filled with low spots even my 21" mowers leave blade marks scalping some areas.

I was wondering if any of you seasoned veterans have experienced this and have any insight as to an economical way (short of tillin up, levelling, and resodding the entire lawn?

Any help would be great thanks, Joe

Rolling will provide some relief but if it is real bad, assuming you have bermuda I, would bring in a nice clean topsoil and level the lawn up to 1 inch at a time and fertilize heavy and the bermuda will come up through and fill in about 4-6 weeks depending on water and fert.

Jason