DIETER'S SOD SVC

The Dieter Sod estimator was professional and patient with me. I'd never had sod before. He measured my lawn and gave me suggestions for sod location. He suggested a patch of sod near the house instead of the mulch area I had. Soon after I signed the contract for the sod work a man was sent out to spray weed killer on my existing lawn to kill it off. A week later another application of weed killer was applied. I believe two weeks later a crew was sent out to remove the now dead lawn leaving a smooth foundation of dirt for the new Bahia sod. Maybe a week later a crew arrived to lay the new Bahia sod. And I was given instructions for watering, which I followed to a tee. The first thing I noticed was the quality of the sod was poor. Dieter Sod states: "WE FURNISH THE BEST SOD AVAILABLE. SOD IS NOT WEED FREE. DUE TO THE PERISHABLE NATURE OF THIS ITEM THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES." I don't know how they could call the sod Bahia when it was full of weeds. I know it comes from a cattle field, but I never expected there to be so many unidentifiable plants growing in it. There were thistles and clovers, and tall weeds and duck weed. Where was the Bahia? Also, so much of the sod was dead. The sod was laid unevenly in some spots and roots stuck out. I, ignorantly, assumed after a few weeks of watering and rain that everything would "level out". Next I noticed that the backyard grass was not growing. Patches were actually dying. I continued following the prescribed watering schedule but things weren't improving. I read over the contract and they would not guarantee the lawn. I eventually hired a landscaper and he told me the backyard was too shady for the kind of sod they put down. I had no idea about what sod would be better for shade or sun, I thought I was leaving that up to the professionals at Dieter Sod. The landscaper I hired even suggested I put mulch in the areas Dieter's representative suggested I put sod! By now most of the sod was dormant or dead. Winter came and as Spring arrives I can see some grass coming back, but the backyard looks as bad as it did BEFORE I bought sod last May. I hate to complain because they were very professional and kind, but their product was not right for my needs and I don't feel there is any recourse. Buyer beware. Ask questions. Make sure they are aware of your sun patterns. I know they carried other grasses and I would have been happy to have paid whatever necessary to have the best sod for the areas around my house. They never asked and I didn't know I had to ask. I may have to call another sod company and have the backyard re-sod. Unfortunately, I won't be calling Dieter Sod.