Top New Lawn Installation (Sod & Turf) in Beverly, Massachusetts Ranked

Transforming a bare or tired yard into a lush, green lawn is a major home improvement that enhances curb appeal and outdoor enjoyment. New lawn installation, whether with natural sod or modern artificial turf, provides an instant, finished landscape. In Beverly, with its distinct New England climate and soil conditions, proper planning and professional execution are key to a successful result. This guide will help you understand the process, costs, and considerations for installing a new lawn, so you can confidently connect with local experts to revitalize your property.

JR's Landscaping & Sons LLC

3 Sorelle Pl, Burlington, MA 01803

JR's Landscaping & Sons LLC is a full-service landscaping company serving Boston, MA, and Middlesex County. They provide a wide range of services including lawn mowing, lawn fertilization, weed control, sod installation, fence installation, landscape lighting, sprinkler installation and repair, hardscaping with patios and retaining walls, and custom landscape design. With over 20 years of experience since 1997, they offer year-round solutions tailored to maintain and enhance outdoor spaces for both residential and commercial properties. Their capabilities include expert hardscape installations such as stone walkways, patios, and retaining walls designed for New England weather conditions.

5.0

148 Reviews

Grass!365 of New England

38 Fuller St, Waban, MA 02468

Grass!365 of New England is a synthetic turf design and installation company based in Boston, MA, serving all of New England. They specialize in artificial grass solutions for residential and commercial properties, including playgrounds, sports fields, putting greens, and pet turf. Their installations use SealTuft technology, which offers superior drainage and durability. Grass!365 has been operating for over a decade and ensures that all projects are personally overseen by owner Jeremy Dellaria and his team, without subcontractors.

5.0

117 Reviews

The Pros Inc. - Landscape Design & Build

29 Hanover St, Lynn, MA 01902

The Pros Inc. - Landscape Design & Build is a landscaping and outdoor living company serving Boston, MA, and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, they offer a wide range of services including landscape design, lawn care, sod installation, fence installation, hardscaping, outdoor lighting, irrigation, water features, pool and spa construction, decks, pergolas, driveways, and seasonal maintenance. Their expertise includes custom pool building with options like fiberglass and gunite concrete pools, as well as comprehensive irrigation systems designed for efficient watering. The company also provides snow and ice management services during winter months.

4.9

217 Reviews

Nelson’s Hardscape & Tree Service

40 Wall St, Burlington, MA 01803

Nelson's Hardscape & Tree Service is a family-owned company serving Boston, MA, and the Greater Massachusetts area. They provide a wide range of services including tree removal, tree trimming, stump grinding, lawn care, sod installation, landscaping, and hardscaping. Their team includes certified arborists who handle projects with personalized care to maintain the health and appearance of trees and outdoor spaces. With over 10 years of experience, Nelson's Hardscape & Tree Service offers insured work and a satisfaction guarantee.

4.9

128 Reviews

Ideal Turf Solutions

77 Mystic Ave, Medford, MA 02155

Ideal Turf Solutions is a provider of artificial turf and sod installation services based in Boston, MA. They offer a wide range of high-performance artificial turf products suitable for residential, commercial, athletic, and specialty applications. The company also supplies installation tools, infill materials, and maintenance products to support both professional contractors and DIY homeowners. With over 30 years of experience in the artificial turf industry, Ideal Turf Solutions has installed thousands of projects across New England, bringing extensive expertise to their customers.

5.0

47 Reviews

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Understanding Your Lawn Installation Options

When planning for a new lawn in Beverly, homeowners primarily choose between two distinct paths: natural sod or synthetic turf. Each offers a complete transformation but comes with different long-term commitments, aesthetics, and maintenance profiles. A sod lawn provides the authentic feel, cooling effect, and natural ecosystem of real grass, while artificial turf offers a consistently green, low-maintenance surface ideal for high-traffic areas or challenging growing conditions. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, budget, and vision for your outdoor space.

Natural Sod: Instant Greenery with a Living System

Sod installation is the process of laying pre-grown grass, complete with soil and roots, onto a prepared yard. It's the fastest way to establish a living, breathing lawn. For Beverly properties, cool-season grass varieties like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, or Perennial Ryegrass blends are typically used, as they are well-suited to the region's temperature fluctuations. The immediate visual impact is significant, turning a construction site or patchy dirt into a vibrant green carpet in just a day or two. However, this living system requires an initial establishment period of careful watering and then ongoing seasonal care-mowing, fertilizing, and aerating-to thrive long-term.

Artificial Turf: A Modern, Low-Upkeep Alternative

Artificial turf installation involves creating a stable, permeable base and securing synthetic grass blades to it. Today's high-quality turf products are remarkably realistic, durable, and designed with drainage in mind. This option is increasingly popular for creating usable, green spaces in shaded areas, on slopes, or for pet runs where natural grass struggles. It eliminates the need for watering, mowing, and chemical treatments, offering a predictable appearance year-round. The upfront investment is generally higher than sod, but for many homeowners, the long-term savings in time, water, and maintenance supplies make it a compelling choice.

Breaking Down the Costs of Lawn Installation

The total investment for a new lawn in Beverly varies widely based on the installation type, lawn size, site complexity, and material quality. Understanding the typical cost ranges helps in setting a realistic budget for your project.

For new lawn installation in Beverly, Massachusetts, the typical all-in cost is $1 to $6 per square foot for sod and $5 to $20 per square foot for artificial turf, including site preparation and labor. ^{1 2 3 4 5} Costs can vary based on lawn size, grass type, and site complexity. ⁶

For a typical 1,000 sq. ft. lawn, this equates to roughly $1,000-$6,000 for sod and $5,000-$20,000 for artificial turf. Site preparation, such as old lawn removal or significant grading, can add to the total cost. ^{6 7 8}

Key Factors Influencing Your Final Price

• Lawn Size and Shape: Larger areas often benefit from a lower per-square-foot cost due to economies of scale. Complex shapes with many curves or obstacles require more cutting and fitting, which can increase labor time.
• Site Preparation Needs: This is often the most variable cost factor. A simple, clear, and level site is the most affordable to prepare. Costs rise if your project requires extensive excavation, removal of an old lawn, significant grading, or addressing drainage problems.
• Material Selection: For sod, premium grass blends or specialized varieties may cost more. For artificial turf, price is influenced by pile height, density, face weight, and the quality of the backing and drainage systems.
• Labor and Accessibility: Easy backyard access for machinery keeps costs down. Tight access that requires manual material handling will increase labor time.

The Critical Role of Site Preparation

Proper site preparation is the non-negotiable foundation for a successful lawn, whether natural or synthetic. Skipping or rushing this phase is the leading cause of future problems like uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and premature failure. Proper site preparation is essential for both sod and artificial turf to ensure longevity and prevent issues like an uneven surface or poor drainage. ^{9 10}

Step-by-Step Groundwork for a Lasting Lawn

1. Removal of Existing Vegetation: The first step is to create a clean slate. The existing lawn, weeds, and debris are removed, typically by excavating the top 2-4 inches of soil. This prevents old grass from growing through and eliminates weed competition. ^{6 9}
2. Grading and Slope: The ground must be graded to ensure water flows away from the house and other structures. A slight slope of 1-2% is recommended. ^{7 11} This is crucial in Beverly to manage rainwater and melting snow effectively.
3. Base Installation (The Key Difference):
   • For Sod: The native soil is tilled to break up compaction, amended with topsoil or compost to improve fertility and structure, and then meticulously leveled. A starter fertilizer is often applied at this stage to give the new grass roots a nutritional boost. ⁶
   • For Artificial Turf: A stable, compactable sub-base is installed. This usually consists of 2-4 inches of crushed stone or decomposed granite, which is spread and heavily compacted in layers. This base provides stability, prevents settling, and is critical for proper drainage. A weed barrier fabric is often laid over the compacted base. ^{11 12 13}
4. Addressing Drainage Needs: Most yards need the basic grade adjustment mentioned above. In areas with poor-draining soil-like the heavy "Boston Blue Clay" common in the area-or in low spots, additional drainage solutions may be necessary. This could include installing a French drain or a specialized drainage grid system beneath artificial turf. ^{6 14}

The Installation Process and Timeline

Once the site is perfectly prepared, the actual installation of the lawn material is a relatively swift process. The physical installation process for both options is relatively quick for residential projects. ¹⁵

Laying Sod: From Pallets to Lawn

Sod is delivered in rolls or slabs on pallets. Installers work quickly to lay the pieces in a staggered brick-like pattern, ensuring tight seams without overlapping. The sod is then rolled to ensure good soil-to-root contact and watered thoroughly. Most residential sod projects can be completed in 1 to 3 days. ¹⁶ However, the critical establishment period begins now. The sod takes several weeks to fully root and establish a strong system (about 3-6 weeks), requiring careful, consistent watering and minimal foot traffic during this period. ^{17 18}

Installing Artificial Turf: Securing a Synthetic Surface

The synthetic grass rolls are laid out, trimmed to fit the space, and seamed together using specialized tape and adhesive. Once secured, a layer of infill (usually silica sand or crumb rubber) is spread across the surface and brushed into the turf. This infill weighs down the turf, helps the blades stand upright, and provides cushioning. Professional artificial turf installation for a mid-size lawn typically takes 1 to 3 days, depending on the size and complexity of the project. ^{19 20} The significant advantage is that the area is ready for full use immediately after the final grooming.

Choosing the Right Professional in Beverly

Selecting a qualified installer is as important as choosing your lawn type. Look for professionals with specific experience in the installation method you've chosen. For sod contractors, ask about their soil amendment practices and sourcing of grass varieties suited to the North Shore. For artificial turf specialists, review samples of their work, ask about the specific materials (backing, blade type, infill) they use, and inquire about their base preparation process. A reputable contractor will always insist on a thorough site evaluation before providing a detailed quote and will clearly explain each phase of the preparation and installation process.

Frequently asked questions

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