Sod Prices: Sod Installation Cost Guide

Sod installation cost ranges from $1.10 to $2.50 per square foot. The price to buy sod ranges from $0.40 to $1.10 per square foot. These costs and prices will vary based on circumstance particular to your project such as: yard size, accessibility, topography, and location. Location is the greatest factor. Areas with higher costs of living will be at the higher end of the range. To get a more accurate cost for your sod project, request a quote.

By HomeBlue Team

July 12, 2022 08:05 PM

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How Much Does it Cost to Sod a Yard?

This guide is intended to provide you an approximate cost to install sod in your area. To get a quote for your specific project, Click Here for a Free Estimate. Our research, which includes feedback provided by local sod contractors, resulted in the following prices and cost to install sod.

Sod installation cost (per square foot):

The cost to install sod is about $1.70 per square foot installed (the cost ranges from $1.10 to $2.50).

Cost of installing sod based on the size of your yard:

500-sf yard: $560 to $1,250.
1,000-sf yard: $1,100 to $2,500.
2,000-sf yard: $2,240 to $4,990.
3,000-sf yard: $3,400 to $7,500.
4,000-sf yard: $4,500 to $10,000.
5,000-sf yard: $5,600 to $12,500.
6,000-sf yard: $6,700 to $15,000.
7,000-sf yard: $7,800 to $17,500.
8,000-sf yard: $9,000 to $20,000.
9,000-sf yard: $10,100 to $22,500.
10,000-sf yard: $11,200 to $25,000.
15,000-sf yard: $16,800 to $37,400.
20,000-sf yard: $22,400 to $49,900.

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Sod Prices by Variety (not installed)

Cost of Bahia Grass is $0.40 - $0.60 per sq. ft.
Cost of Bermuda Grass is $0.50 - $0.70 per sq. ft.
Cost of Centipede Grass is $0.50 - $0.80 per sq. ft.
Cost of Kentucky Bluegrass is $0.50 - $.90 per sq. ft.
Cost of Rough Bluegrass is $0.50 - $.90 per sq. ft.
Cost of Fescue Grass is $0.55 - $0.90 per sq. ft.
Cost of St. Augustine Grass is $0.60 - $1.05 per sq. ft.
Cost of Zoysia Grass is $0.60 - $1.10 per sq. ft.
Cost of Ryegrass is $0.50 - $1.00 per sq. ft.
Cost of Velvet Bentgrass is $0.60 - $1.10 per sq. ft.
Note: Sod prices can vary widely for the following reasons: 1) sod farms and suppliers likely cost less than going to a retailer like Home Depot or Lowes, 2) you can often negotiate lower prices when you purchase higher quantities, 3) it is more costly to have sod delivered than to pick it up yourself. Thus, the lower end of the prices stated above would be for larger orders and no delivery. The higher end would represent smaller orders that are delivered.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Sod Installation

When a contractor comes to your house to provide you an estimate, they will take into account a number of factors that can increase or decrease the cost of your project. Pricing for sod can vary based on the grade of sod selected and the condition of the terrain where it will be installed. Typically, a yard needs to be prepped by removing old sod and weeds. Soil conditioner is also added before laying the sod. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Primary cost factors:

Labor costs in your area.
The type of sod you choose.

Your prices may be higher when:

You have rocky soil.
You have a difficult yard to access.
Your yard has a lot of features or obstacles to work around.
You would like to use a special or more expensive type of sod.
You need to conduct a soil test.
Existing grass needs to be removed and tilled.
You have a sprinkler system to work around.

Your prices may be lower when:

You ask for the work to be done in the off season (which may not be a great idea for sod installation).
Your yard is flat (has no slope).
You choose to use the least expensive type of sod.
It is part of a new construction project (existing sod does not need to be removed).

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How Much Does it Cost to Seed a New Lawn?

The cost to seed a new lawn is about $.11 per square foot (ranges from $.07 to $.14 per square foot). The cost of overseeding an existing lawn is about $.18 per square foot (ranges from $.13 to $.22 per square foot). Seeding a new lawn takes time, but it is typically more affordable than laying new sod. The total cost of a lawn seeding job will depend on the type of seed used, the type of preparation required, the size of the yard, and local labor rates.

How Much Does it Cost to Hydroseed?

The cost to hydroseed a new lawn is about $.13 per square foot (ranges from $.09 to $.16 per square foot). Hydroseeding (also known as hydraulic mulch seeding or hydromulching) is a mixture of seed, hydro-mulch, fertilizers, and other materials that is sprayed onto the ground to grow grass. It is cheaper than laying sod, but more expensive than traditional lawn seeding.

How Much Does Artificial Lawn Grass Cost?

The cost to install artificial lawn grass costs about $11.00 per square foot (ranges from $8.60 to $13.50 per square foot). Artificial grass (or synthetic turf) can be a good option if you would like a bright green lawn all year long. It is significantly more expensive than sodding or seeding, however, if you are looking for something super low-maintenance, artificial turf is a great option.

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Additional Topics in this Sod Cost Guide

What is Sod?
How Many Square Feet in a Pallet of Sod?
What is the Standard Size of a Piece of Sod?
Acre to Square Feet Conversion Guide
Planting Sod vs. Planting Seed
Cool Season Grasses vs. Warm Season Grasses
What is the Best Time of Year to Lay Sod?
Can I Lay Sod Over My Existing Lawn?
Can I Lay Sod in the Rain?
How Much Sod Do I Need?
How Long Does it Take to Install a Pallet of Sod?
What is the Best Time of Day to Water My Lawn?
How Often Should I Water Newly Planted Sod?
How Long Till I Can Mow My Newly Planted Sod?
How Much Does Sod Cost Near Me?

What is Sod?

Sod is a thin layer of soil with grass growing on top of it. The roots of the grass intertwine to keep the grass and soil together. Sod farmers sometimes add a thin layer of hexagonal plastic in the soil to help keep the sod together. Sod comes in many different species or varieties. Sod pieces are usually cut (with a sod cutter) into rectangular pieces or long rolls. The rolls are then transported on pallets to the delivery site.

How Many Square Feet in a Pallet of Sod?

One pallet of sod can cover about 450 to 500 square feet of area. A typical sod pallet includes about 165 rectangular pieces (each measuring approx. 16 inches by 24 inches). A normal sod pallet usually weighs somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds.

What is the Standard Size of a Piece of Sod?

The most standard size sod is 16 inches x 24 inches. The second most popular size is 18 inches x 24 inches. Other sizes include 2 feet x 4 feet, 2 feet x 5 feet, and 2 feet by 6 feet

Acre to Square Feet Conversion Guide

1/8 acre yard = 5,445 square feet
1/4 acre yard = 10,890 square feet
1/2 acre yard = 21,780 square feet
3/4 acre yard = 32,670 square feet
1 acre yard = 43,560 square feet

Planting Sod vs. Planting Seed

Advantages of Laying Sod: Two advantages of laying sod are 1) the instant gratification and 2) the increased reliability. In a matter of hours, a dirt lot can be transformed into a beautiful-looking lawn. In a matter of weeks, you will have grass that has fully taken root. It takes months to grow grass seed. Overnight, sod can also help with erosion control and storm run-off too. Sod is more likely to take root than grass seed. Grass seed can be washed away in heavy rainstorms.

Disadvantages of Laying Sod: Two disadvantages of laying sod are 1) the initial cost and 2) the limited turf options. Installing sod is more expensive than planting seed or hydroseeding your lawn. Hiring a professional contractor to roll out the sod may also add to the total cost. Additionally, not every species of grass is available as sod. It may be difficult to find a local sod farm that grows the particular species of sod that you would like to lay.

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Cool Season Grasses vs. Warm Season Grasses

The climate in your local area may impact the type of sod you want to install. It's important to understand the seasonal limits of the variety of grass you choose.

Cool-season grasses: Simply put, cool season grasses thrive in cooler temperatures. They are most actively growing in the spring and fall when the soil temperatures are 65 degrees or lower. They may even go dormant during the hottest months of the year.

Examples: Kentucky Blue Grass, Perennial Ryegrass, Tall and Fine Fescue

Warm-season grasses: Warm season grasses are usually of tropical origin. They thrive during the warmer months of the year and do not require as much water as cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses are more popular in the southern half of the United States where hotter temperatures are more common.

Examples:Bermuda Grass, Centipede Grass, St. Augustine Grass, Zoysia

What is the Best Time of Year to Lay Sod?

Spring is typically the best time of year to install sod. In a survey conducted of sod installers, 63% indicated that spring was the best time of year (and they indicated that early spring was the best). However, the weather conditions and climate in your specific region may impact the optimal time for laying sod. Additionally, different sod species require different conditions to grow best. 41% of the sod installers responding to the survey indicated that sod should not be planted during the winter.

Can I Lay Sod Over My Existing Lawn?

80% of sod installers surveyed indicated that it is not recommended to lay sod over your existing lawn. The sod needs to fully make contact with the soil in order to take root. Laying a piece of sod on top of your existing lawn is not ideal because the soil cannot be properly prepared.

Can I Lay Sod in the Rain?

Yes, it is possible to lay sod in the rain. While a drizzle or light shower will not have a major impact on the installation process, a heavy downpour may cause problems. If possible, you should wait until the rain lets up or stops before laying the sod.

How Much Sod Do I Need?

Taking the time to accurately measure your yard is the best way to calculate how much sod you need. Getting the measurements right will help you save time and money. Don't rush the process. Don't be afraid to double or triple check your measurements. In order to get started, you will just need a measuring tape, a pencil, some graph paper, and a calculator.

1. Sketch out your lawn into measurable squares, circles, and triangles. Use your sketch pad to draw the shape of your entire lawn area. Draw smaller (measurable) squares, rectangles, and triangles your sketch. If you need to, you can use use fixed objects such as sidewalks, plants, fences, etc. as benchmarks.

2. Measure each of your sections. Measure the length, width, and height of each section of your sketch.

3. Calculate the area of each section. Here are a few formulas that can help you:

- Area of a Square or Rectangle = Length x Width

- Area of a Triangle = Base x Height ÷ 2

- Area of a Trapezoid (four-sided non-square area) = ((Base 1 + Base 2) ÷ 2) x Height

4. Add the area of each section together. Once you have calculated the area of each section, add them all together to get your total square foot requirement.

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How Long Does it Take to Install a Pallet of Sod?

As a general rule, once the ground is prepared, it should take one person about 2 hours to lay one pallet of sod. In general, the amount of time it takes to lay sod depends on:

The amount of soil preparation required
Crew size for the job
Number of pieces to be laid
Terrain of the job location
Distance from pallet to final installation location

What is the Best Time of Day to Water My Lawn?

It's best to water new sod in the morning before it gets too hot. Ideally, sod should be watered before 9 AM. The water will have plenty of time to soak into the soil over the course of the day. If you do not like waking up early, you could install a lawn irrigation system. You can program your sprinklers to turn on and off each day at the same time. If you're interested.

If you choose to water your sod in the afternoon, the hot sun may cause the water to evaporate quickly. This means you will need to use more water than actually necessary.

Watering sod at night can be risky. There may not be enough time for the water to soak into the soil. If the ground remains wet all night, fungus may begin to grow. This could jeopardize the health of your new lawn.

How Often Should I Water Newly Planted Sod?

Newly laid sod should be watered once or twice a day for the first couple weeks. However, there are several variables that may affect how often your sod needs to be watered. The amount of watering required will depend on the climate conditions in your region and the species of sod. For example, if you get a lot of rainfall in your area, you may not need to water the sod yourself as much. If you live in a hot, dry climate, you may need to water your sod more than twice a day. Shaded areas may need less watering than the sod that receives lots of direct sunlight. Keep in mind that excessive watering is not a good idea either. Fungus thrives in these super wet conditions.

How Long Till I Can Mow My Newly Planted Sod?

You should wait at least 2 or 3 weeks before mowing your newly sodded lawn. It will depend on how quickly the sod takes root. Before mowing, the grass should be at least 3.5 inches high. Mowing too soon or with the wrong equipment can ruin your new lawn permanently.

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How Much Does Sod Cost Near Me?

The cost of sod and sod installation varies from area to area. We have developed a number of local sod cost guides to help identify how much sod costs near you.