[ossiblue]

Yes, check with your local department that is offering the rebate as the terms vary among jurisdictions.

In my area, the rebate is calculated on square footage of living grass. The rebate is applied to the final cost of your re-landscaping, meaning, the rebate cannot exceed what it cost to replace your grass. You must submit a simple sketch of the proposed new landscape, and a copy of your water bill. An estimator comes out to physically look at your property and a few days later, you are approved to begin the change over. You cannot get the rebate without prior approval
so don't remove anything until the approval is given.

So, if your rebate is calculated at, say $1000 and your cost of change is $800 (because you did the labor yourself, for example), you would receive only $800. If the change costs $1500, as verified by bills and receipts, your rebate would be the full amount calculated and your out of pocket would be $500.

As far as companies like Turf Terminators, as said, they are assigned the rebate amount knowing, in advance, what it will be. If they agree to remove for free, they are doing it with their profit already built in.

BTW, check also with other districts in your community, like the water district, as some offer additional rebates if your remove your entire irrigation system. This is a separate rebate from the grass removal rebate.