Would like to eventually get it down to 1.25-1.5 inches but I know I can't just scalp it down to that without there being issues

Wrong my friend, scalp it now. Doing so later will cause issues. In DFW it is getting a bit late, but getter done NOW if you are going to do it.

A scale would have been nice to get an idea of the blade and node length. There is a very good chance that it comes from my sod farm, Put it too you this way if that house has been built in the last 20 years, your in Frisco so it is probable brand new or less than 5 years old, it is Tifway-I aka 419. All builders that install Bermuda is Tufway-I or Tifway-II which is an improved 419 with slightly better cold and drought tolerance. All the builders in Dallas have contracts with the sod farms, and the typical budget is $5K for landscape on tract lots. Frisco can be quite abit higher since most of the homes in Frisco area are upper income. In that case of a custom home it could be TifSport which is even finer in quality that Tifway-I

The lawn itself it pretty dang green already, I can get by going the slow route unless you think I should absolutely scalp it now I can do that as well.

Our house was built in Dec 2005 by Ashton Woods. Our neighborhood housing range is in the are of 230-280K. We fall around the middle of that range.

Here is an updated link with a scale texas-weed

Here is a link that might be useful: Bermuda Scale

Its Tifway-I.

You have a decision to make. If you want to go short this year, scalp mow it now. Otherwise wait until next spring. It is not something you can do incrementally.

If you do scalp it don't get freaked out because the lawn will look like he!! with nothing but brown twigs and stems. You will be removing all green leaf material Just keep it mowed, fed, and watered. Within a week it will green right up.

But you need to understand what you are asking for, a bunch of hot nasty work all summer long. When you go short, requires frequent mowing. Hotter the weather gets, the faster Bermuda grows. So if you are maintaining at say 1-inch means you have to mow when it reaches 1-1/2 inches. Bermuda can grow that 1/2 inch in 2 to 3 days. If for some reason you let it go, and then mow it, guess what? You will scalp the lawn removing all the green leaf material.

Thanks for the advice texas-weed. I think I will keep it at 1.5-1.75 this year. I will be traveling a good amount this summer and want to get the hang of it and used to keeping up with the rigorous work before I go all in. How are you guys able to take care of your lawn when say you are out of town for 6-7 days? I know for sure I will be gone at least 7 days right around the middle of July and when I get back grass will prob be closer to 3 inches if I'm keeping it at 1.5. I know you're not supposed to cut more than 1/3 of height at any time. Suggestions?

I also sent you an email texas-weed through clicking on your name and then clicking send e-mail. Don't know if you got it or not.

I think I will do what you say in the bible from beginning of next year and put down some pre emergent and then first mow scalp it completely and bag clippings.

How are you guys able to take care of your lawn when say you are out of town for 6-7 days?

Simple undocumented workers.

I just have a feeling that if I say "Come in and mow at 1.5", they're not gonna care. They're just going to go over with whatever their standard setting is for every lawn which is prob around 2.5 which would be a complete waste of $35

Posted by texas-weed 7A (My Page) on Thu, Apr 5, 12 at 15:53
Do you have teenage boys in the neighborhood?
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That used to be me and now I'm a grown man still mowing neighbors' lawn cuz they hate doing yard work. Lol.

HAHA, all the families around must think they're too good to have their kids mow the lawn. Hones to God, I think besides one of my neighbors, I am the ONLY one that mows on my street of about 50 houses. Everyone has yard crews and I see the kind of work they do...the hurry up and lets get to the next house work. They go the same way every week in these peoples lawns and some have the deepest tire ruts from them not changing direction. Almost comical but whatever, it makes my lawn look that much better!

I have been lurking for many months. I have come across and read many of Texas-weeds comments. Very informative. I purchased a house earlier this year in the Woodbridge community of Sachse Texas. The home builder was also Ashton Woods and could not figure out which bermuda I had. I do not want to derail this thread wanted to intro myself and my similarity to the thread OP.