Which technique for returf

[Chip22]

My lawn desperately needs returfing, there is basically no grass left- just mud and weeds with extremely deep, thick roots. I've tried to dig them up and used weed killer several times but just can't get deep enough.

I've had 3 gardeners visit for a quote to returf but each time a different method has been suggested and I don't know which is the best way to do it! If there is a best way...

1. Rotavate it then lay turf (gardener 2 said this could lead to subsidence)= £450
2. Dig up weeds/apply weed killer then come back couple of weeks later to lay turf= chased up but never got a price
3. Put down some top soil then lay turf (weeds will apparently magically disappear 🤔)= £750

Any advice about how it should be done would be appreciated!

Not an expert but rotavating is a great way to spread and multiply any weeds that spread by underground rhizomes since new plants will grow from every chopped up bit of root - so it depends on which weeds you have.

No. 2 seems the most sensible - number 3 won't work if your own weedkillering is not helping. The weeds will just think they've hit the jackpot and regrow up through all that lovely fresh soil...

I'm no expert but I think that you have to look at why your lawn is "mud and weeds". If you don't address the underlying issues then you run the risk of spending hundreds of pounds on lovely new turf but having the same problems recurring a few years down the line.

Depending on what the weeds are and how pristine a lawn you want, you could just level
It, spread some topsoil and then seed it .. takes a bit longer but loads cheaper .
I reseeded mine In April after building work and it looks great now .. but I’ve only got lawn weeds - clover, creeping buttercup etc