Lumpy mossy lawn

[SWS17]

We have a fairly large (approx 120 foot by 40 foot) lawn. It’s uneven (sort of lumpy) and mossy. I’m a gardening novice but I’d like to do DIY job to make it a nice even grassy lawn. Could anyone tell me what is involved?

I’m assuming that it will need to be rotavated or maybe dug up before the new roll out grass is laid. How feasible is this for me (fit, in my 30s) to do with some assistance from DH? And would anyone have a ballpark figure as to how much it would cost to have it done professionally

If it is mossy, then I'm guessing that it is fairly damp and shady? You will need to sort out the damp issue otherwise it will just come back again. You'll also need to choose a grass variety that does well in shade so it might be better to spike it all over to improve drainage, level it by filling in the sunken bits or removing soil from underneath the humps, and then put seed down. That option would also be a lot cheaper than turfing it all.

Can you post a picture so we can see how bad it is?

It's shade or lack of drainage or damp soil. I replaced a lawn like this twice- it's a waste of time. Find the shady, damp part and dig it up and put a flower bed or two there instead. Or some veg- some are fine. Eg shade loving flowers. Far less work in the long run, as long as you choose your scheme carefully. Even allowing for some weeding.

I have a lawn like this, and it gets brilliant sun.

I was hoping to get a price for returfing in the spring, maybe not then...

We had a lawn that was full of weeds and moss, whilst some was due to the birch trees most was simply because it had been left so long with nothing more than a mow.
I cheated and got green thumb in. For a year it had weedkiller sprays, thatching and ERM. Other stuff that was part of the package and it did get rid of the moss. From there I've been filling in and levelling dips, although that's gone on hold until the weather picks up again. We're not using green thumb any more but I'll still scarify the lawn myself spring and autumn and if needed treat with a weed killer/feed for the grass.
The only thing I'll say is the better the grass the more you'll mow it! Last year I'd cut the grass every 3 days to keep it tidy as it grew so quickly

Thanks all. Appreciate the responses. I will get a pic in a few days - we have moved out to let builders in to renovate. It’s not a sunny aspect (north north west) but it does get light. The moss is intermingled with the grass - it isn’t spots of dense moss. And the lumps aren’t big, it’s more uneven than lumpy.

Do we maybe need to get the professionals in to dig some drains and to rotavate the lawn area and then lay some suitable roll out grass? Will that do the trick? I’m not looking for a putting green style manicured lawn, just a relative grassy lawn. Would anyone have a ballpark estimate as to cost?

I love my lawn. It has moss in it and looks great in the dry summer months - soft and green. It's lovely to walk on.
It also has daisys, violets, birds foot trefoil, self heal and clover. It looks absolutely gorgeous in the summer.
I personally find plain grass lawns boring.
How about leaving your lawn to do it's thing. Let the wild flowers in. Just keep it trimmed regularly as they seem to like that.
Much better for bees too - I have loads of them on my lawn.
Currently in the depths of a grey, gloomy winter I have lots of beautiful cheerful Daisy's in bloom.

How about if you buy a book called 'The Lawn Expert' by DG Hessayon. There's bound to be cheap second-hand ones on Ebay or even in your local charity shop, and there is a very good section all about renovating a tired lawn.

Getting people in to do it will work out pretty expensive, so it's worth trying DIY first.

MO Bacter organic lawn fertiliser and moss killer is excellent, just spread it on the grass then it will work its magic. Order it online.

Purple, my lawn is just like that. It’s spongy and soft and if you are not into the manicured look it’s lovely.