Cerami Lawns is a well-known name in Ocean County. They've been around since 1967, they're a 3rd-generation family business, and they have a solid reputation for lawn treatments and mosquito control. But when it comes to sod installation specifically, there's a critical difference between a lawn care company that also does sod and a company that ONLY does sod.
This isn't a hit piece on Cerami. They're good at what they do. But if you're spending $5,000 to $15,000 on a complete lawn replacement in Brick, Point Pleasant, or Manasquan, you deserve to understand the difference.
What Cerami Lawns Actually Is
Cerami Lawns Irrigation & Mosquito (their full name) is primarily a lawn treatment company. Their flagship product is the Six Step Lawn Care Program — a seasonal fertilization and weed control service. Here's their full service menu:
- Six Step Lawn Care (fertilization/weed control)
- Weed Control Programs
- Shrub Care Programs
- Mosquito Control
- Tick Control
- Irrigation Services
- Full Ground Care (mowing, mulching, weeding)
- Sod Installation
Sod installation is listed last because it's a supplementary service, not their core business. Their expertise, their equipment, their crew training, and their business model are all built around recurring lawn treatments and pest control.
What a Dedicated Sod Company Is
Ocean County Sod (Ocean County Sod) does one thing: sod installation and delivery. That's our entire business. Here's what that means in practice:
- The Sod Squad Standard: a tall fescue blend, grown at least 9 months, cut the morning of your install, with no plastic netting
- Specialized equipment for soil preparation and grading
- Crews trained specifically in sod installation techniques
- Shore soil expertise — we know exactly how to prep Brick's sandy Lakehurst soil and Point Pleasant's coastal sand
- Volume purchasing that keeps sod costs competitive
- 30-day root guarantee because we're confident in our process
- 30 days of aftercare included, with the first cut and second fertilizer done by us
When sod installation is your only business, you get very good at it. Every process is optimized, every crew member is specialized, and every failure teaches you something specific about local soil conditions.
The 5 Key Differences That Matter
1. Soil Preparation Expertise
Cerami's approach: General landscaping crew preps the soil as part of a broader service package. Their primary training is in chemical treatments, not soil science.
Our approach: Every installation starts with a soil assessment. In Brick, we know the Lakehurst sand needs 3-4 inches of composted topsoil, lime to raise pH from 4.5 to 6.5, and starter fertilizer. In Point Pleasant Beach, we know you need 4-6 inches of amendment plus wind staking. This isn't generic knowledge. It comes from installing in these specific towns.
2. Sod Freshness & Supply Chain
Cerami's approach: Orders sod from a supplier as needed for scheduled jobs. Sod may sit on a pallet for hours depending on their crew's schedule and other jobs that day.
Our approach: Every lawn we install is grown to the Sod Squad Standard: a tall fescue blend, grown at least 9 months, cut the morning of your install, with no plastic netting. It goes from field to your yard in hours, not a day. We don't stockpile. We don't let it sit. Fresh sod = faster rooting.
3. Warranty & Accountability
Cerami's approach: Standard landscaping warranty (if any). Their business model is built on recurring monthly treatments, not one-time installation guarantees.
Our approach: 30-day root guarantee on every installation. If your sod doesn't establish, we replace it at no cost. We come back about 21 to 30 days after install for the first cut and the second fertilizer. We can afford to guarantee our work because our process is dialed in.
4. Pricing Structure
Cerami's approach: Sod installation is priced as a premium add-on to their service menu. Their overhead includes mosquito trucks, chemical inventory, treatment crews, and marketing across 8+ service categories.
Our approach: Sod is our only revenue stream. Our overhead is focused entirely on installation efficiency. We buy sod in higher volume (because it's ALL we do), which keeps our pricing steady. Our standard is $2.85 per square foot for an average yard.
5. Post-Installation Support
Cerami's approach: May offer their Six Step program after installation (additional monthly cost). Their follow-up is oriented toward selling ongoing treatment services.
Our approach: Every installation includes a comprehensive Lawn Care Guide specific to your grass type and soil conditions. We provide watering schedules, mowing guidelines, and seasonal care instructions. Our Protection Plans are optional — not a sales funnel.
When to Choose Cerami vs. When to Choose Us
Choose Cerami Lawns if:
- You need ongoing lawn treatments (fertilization, weed control)
- You want mosquito/tick control for your yard
- You need general landscaping maintenance (mowing, mulching)
- Your existing lawn just needs treatments, not replacement
Choose Ocean County Sod if:
- You need a complete lawn replacement or new sod installation
- Your soil needs professional preparation (sandy, acidic, or compacted)
- You want same-day fresh-cut sod (not sod that's been sitting)
- You want a written guarantee on your installation
- You're in Brick, Point Pleasant, or Manasquan where shore soil expertise matters
- You want a dedicated sod specialist, not a lawn care generalist
The Bottom Line
Cerami Lawns is great at lawn treatments. If your existing lawn needs fertilization, weed control, or pest management, they're a solid choice. They've earned their reputation over 55+ years.
But if you need sod installed — especially in the challenging sandy soil of Brick, Point Pleasant, or Manasquan — you want a specialist. You wouldn't go to a general practitioner for heart surgery. Don't go to a general lawn care company for a $10,000 sod installation.
Get a Free Sod Installation Quote
Call 848-301-1569 or get a free quote online. Quotes are free from your address, and most yards need no walkthrough. Same-week scheduling available.
Ocean County Sod provides professional sod installation in Brick, Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Toms River, and all of Ocean County. We're not a lawn care company that also does sod — we're a sod company. Period.