My husband and I bought a house 4 years ago with a neglected yard. Since then we've been working on indoor projects, and further neglecting the lawn. It's more weeds and crabgrass than lawn now, with serious divets and holes to the point someone could sprain an ankle walking through it. I bought a Scotts Lawn care book, but it doesn't give me a clear picture of how to start this daunting project. Once I'm down to bare soil, the directions are clear. But how do I get the old stuff off and levelled, to be ready for new topsoil and seed? I'd love suggestions on what tools are needed (bobcat, dumptruck, blowtorch etc. *laugh*), as well as how to specifically use the tools to get the yard level. In addition, if I need to scrape anything off, can it be composted/reused or should it be hauled away? Thanks in advance.

-TchrMommy, Seattle area