Because your lawn will require so much care and attention to detail, it's important that you are thoughtful about what what foundation you want for it. Do you want your grass to be built on conventional seed or should it be gathered together with sod?
Here are the advantages and disadvantages to both, so you can be well-equipped to choose one for your lawn.
Seed is the easiest to install. The cost of installation is low, there is little labor or time required, and seed is more adaptable than sod to difficult environments. However, there are some significant cons to seeding. For example, in the early stages of seeding, the grass is vulnerable to erosion. And while the process of seeding is fast and easy, there are only certain time periods it can be done and there is always a wait period between installation and usability. As well, seed lawns require a little more upkeep and maintenance, as persistent watering is necessary and bothersome weeds can spring up.
Sod is a good idea in the sense that while it does take more time and effort to create, a sodded lawn is instantly accessible. As well, there is instant erosion control. More importantly, however, sod provides a guarantee of no weeds and no real problems - it is more of a controlled product, rather than a lawn subject to nature's whims. The downside to sod is that it is indeed more expensive and labor intensive to install. On top of that, not every area can be sodded, so some people may not even have the option of sod in the first place. For example, shaded areas typically require seed lawns.
So for versatility and cost-effective, speedy installation, go with seed. But for a more reliable lawn that's not as threatened by erosion, go with sod! Depending on the climate you live in and your budget, you may not have a choice at all, but if you do, it may be a best to shell out the extra bucks for sod.