Clear the lawn of all the current grass so it’s just bare dirt. Make sure the dirt slightly slopes away from the building structure. If necessary, add a 1-2 inch layer of new dirt such as pulverized screened topsoil with peat moss mixture. Condition the soil by cultivating and tilling the new soil into your existing grade. Use a metal rake to flatten out and level the soil. A lawn roller or power roller can be used to smooth out, settle, and firm the grade before the sod is installed.