Got a call this morning from a Gold Coast homeowner whose drainage contractor had wrapped up and left their side yard looking like a building site — bare dirt the full length of the run, two new stormwater grates sticking up out of nothing, and dead patches running round the back of the house. The drainage worked. The yard was a disaster.
By lunchtime we'd screeded fresh sand bedding the full length of the run, laid new turf over the lot, and trimmed it neat against the pebble border. The customer went from 'what do I do with this' to lying on their new lawn before we'd packed the truck. This is what same-day lawn restoration looks like.
Drainage contractor left bare dirt + exposed pits. We laid sand bedding + fresh turf the full length of the side yard and around the back. Done in one visit. If your contractor has wrapped up and left a mess, we fix it.
What the drainage contractor left behind
This is the kind of finish that catches a lot of homeowners by surprise. Drainage, plumbing, pool and trenching contractors are usually scoped just for the underground work — when they pack up, the yard above the trench is rarely part of their quote. Which means you're left with:
- Bare topsoil or clay where the trench was backfilled
- Exposed grates or inspection pits sitting proud of the ground
- Dead grass either side of the trench from machine tracks and stockpiled spoil
- An uneven surface that catches water in the wrong places
All of that is normal — the contractor did the job they were paid for. But it leaves you needing a second crew to make the yard usable again.
What we did — sand bedding then fresh turf
1. Levelled and screeded sand bedding
Before any turf goes down, you need a clean, level base that drains. We spread fresh washed sand the full length of the run, screeded it to a consistent profile, and worked the levels carefully around both stormwater grates so water still flows where it's meant to — into the pit, not pooling beside it. Sand bedding gives the new turf a soft, even surface to root into and locks in proper drainage long-term.
2. Laid fresh turf the full length
Turf rolls butted edge-to-edge, staggered like brickwork so the joins don't line up. Trimmed clean against the pebble border with a sharp knife, butted neatly around the stormwater grates so the grass finishes flush with the metal. No gaps, no overhang, no curled-up edges.
3. Soaked it in
New turf needs water within 30 minutes of being laid. We gave the whole lot a deep soak before we left, with instructions for the homeowner to keep it wet morning and afternoon for the first two weeks. After that it's establish-and-mow.
If you bring in a separate turf company after a drainage contractor leaves, you'll often pay two call-outs, two minimum charges, and you're chasing two trades to coordinate. We do the sand, the turf, the levelling, the cleanup — one quote, one crew, usually one day.
When you might need lawn restoration after a contractor
- After stormwater drainage installation or repair
- After plumbing trench works (sewer, water, gas)
- After pool excavation and shell drop, once the spoil's been carted
- After underground electrical or NBN trenching
- After retaining wall installation that's chewed up the lawn
- After any earthworks or pad cut that's left bare ground
What's usually included in a lawn restoration quote
- Site assessment — work out levels, fall, and drainage points
- Topsoil or sand bedding supplied and screeded to grade
- Fresh turf supplied and laid (we use Sir Walter, Empire Zoysia or local mixes depending on aspect)
- Trim and butt around grates, paths, garden edges and borders
- First soak and watering instructions
- Site clean — green waste and offcuts carted away
How much does it cost?
For a side-yard like this one, you're looking at roughly $800–$1,800 fully fitted depending on the area, the type of turf, and how much sand bedding the site needs. Larger yards scale from there. We do free site visits across the Gold Coast and quote in writing — no estimates over the phone for landscape work.
Get your yard back
If you've had a drainage, plumbing, pool, electrical or trenching contractor finish up and leave you with a dirt patch, give us a yell. Sand, soil, turf, levelling, finished lawn — one crew, usually one day. Call John on 0487 193 085 or use the contact page.