shureguy, I guess we are about as far apart as possible geographically. For what it's worth: My 1/3 acre is my front yard over a septic drain field. Ten years ago it was very good grass, but I did not care for it properly and it slowly went downhill, dying completely out 2 yrs ago and is now moss, "swamp grass" (my name and would live with it if it filled in), and red sorrel weeds. I got a soil lab report that the Ph is 4.9 and have doctored with lime. After trying for 2 years I finally got a landscape person to bid a new lawn. (angies list no help)
The first bid was $7000 which was twice my highest estimate. The bid included weed kill, moss kill, removing weeds, sand/soil mix and level, seeding with mulch, and fertilizing. Admittedly a lot of work and light equipment to avoid compacting the drain field. I am rural so lots of transportation. Still I said no. The contractor suggested elimination of the first step (sand/soil), using my existing , somewhat rocky, soil. The rebid was $4000. He starts next week. Maybe some of this helps. I am a diy'r, but lack of equipment stopped me because acquisiton cost was at least the bid cost.