When it comes to preparing your lawn for spring, the cost to lay sod ranges from $800 to $10,000, but most homeowners will pay around $4,000 for this job. Several factors affect the cost, including the type of sod and the size of your lawn. Whether or not you hire a professional to do it for you will also impact the price.
This guide covers how much sod installation costs based on a variety of factors, as well as tips to save money on a sod installation.
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Key Takeaways
- The cost to lay sod ranges between $800 to $10,000 and depends on the type of sod and the size of your lawn.
- Laying sod DIY can cost between $0.30 and $0.85 per square foot but hiring a professional will cost between $1 and $2 per square foot, including labor and materials.
- Additional cost considerations include old lawn removal, adding fertilizer and herbicide, land excavation and installing a sprinkler system.
Average Cost to Lay Sod
Laying sod can range anywhere from $800 to $10,000. That’s because costs depend on quite a few factors, such as the size and shape of your lawn, as well as whether you do the job yourself or find skilled lawn care specialists. Other cost factors include the sod type, your soil’s condition and your yard’s accessibility.
| COST TO LAY SOD | |
|---|---|
Average Cost | $4,000 |
Highest Cost | $10,000 |
Lowest Cost | $800 |
What Is Sod?
Sod, also called turf, is a layer of grass on top of the soil. It’s typically held together by the grass roots or a thin biodegradable layer of netting or organic materials. Laying sod is a relatively quick way to establish a new lawn without needing to wait for the grass to grow from seed. It’s also lower maintenance than if you were to seed or overseed a lawn from scratch. Thanks to the built-in soil, sod can quickly thrive in a variety of climates.
How to Calculate the Total Cost to Lay Sod
Sod is priced by the square foot, so calculating the cost is fairly straightforward. If you’re laying the sod yourself, then you should budget for $0.30 to $0.85 per square foot, depending on the variety you get. Hiring a professional to lay the grass for you will increase your costs to $1 to $2 per square foot.
Cost to Lay Sod Per Square Foot
If you’re only sodding a small area, it’s helpful to calculate the cost by square foot. When laying the sod yourself, you can expect to pay between $0.30 and $0.85 per square foot. However, if you hire the job out, you’ll need to factor in installation costs.
Labor and Materials Combined Cost Per Square Foot
Hiring a lawn specialist to lay sod can save you some time, but it will also cost extra. Sod installations usually cost between $1 and $2 per square foot, including labor and materials
| SOD PER SQUARE FOOT | SOD PER SQUARE FOOT |
|---|---|
Cost without labor | $0.30 – $0.85 |
Cost with labor | $1 – $2 |
Sod Installation Cost by Size
As you’re planning your sod installation project, it’s essential to keep in mind the dimensions of the space that you want to transform into a lush, green lawn. The extent of the area you’re looking to cover can significantly influence overall costs. For instance, a larger area will require more sod material than a smaller one, which directly translates to higher costs. Large areas will also usually require more labor or longer working times, which can also bump up costs.
Cost to Lay Sod Per Acre
For larger areas, it’s helpful to consider the price of sod by acre. If you’re sodding a fifth of an acre, which amounts to 8,712 square feet, you’ll usually pay between $2,600 and $7,500, not including the cost of labor. If you hire a professional to install it for you, those costs go up considerably.
Labor and Materials Combined Cost Per Acre
Hiring a professional to lay a fifth of an acre of sod usually costs between $8,700 and $17,400.
| SOD PER 1/5 ACRE | COST |
|---|---|
Without labor | $2,600 – $7,500 |
With labor | $8,700 – $17,400 |
Labor Cost to Lay Sod
If you decide to save yourself some time and leave this job to a gardening pro, it’s advisable to budget for the cost of labor. Labor costs usually range from $40 to $80 per hour depending on the region and company. To calculate how much time it will take for a pro to lay sod, consider that most installers can cover about 25 yards, or 225 square feet, in about an hour.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Laying Sod
Several factors affect the price of laying sod. For instance, your yard’s size is among the biggest cost factors, but its shape and condition can also impact your overall budget.
Land Preparation
In most cases, your land will need to be prepped in order to properly lay sod. Preparation might include removing debris, tree roots and rocks, which will add time and money to your installation costs. Additionally, if your land is sloped, you might need to regrade it, which will likely cost an extra $1,000 to $3,500.
Yard Size
Since sod is priced by square foot, yard size is among the most significant cost factors. Sod alone costs between $0.30 and $0.85 per square foot. If you hire a pro to install it, you’re looking at $1 to $2 per square foot.
Yard Shape
Irregularly-shaped yards usually cost more to lay sod than standard-shaped yards. That’s because the grass layer usually comes in a square or rectangular shape, so your pro will need to spend more time to properly align the sod along curves. If your yard has lots of slopes or other irregular shapes, budget for an additional 20% of your final cost.
Soil Testing and Condition
Sod is best laid on top of high-quality soil to give it the best chance to thrive. Many installers will test the pH of your soil before laying sod. Soil testing costs between $12 and $20. If the test reveals that your soil isn’t in great condition, you should budget for topsoil. Topsoil usually costs between $12 and $30 per cubic yard.
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Yard Accessibility
If your yard is tough to access or it’s located very far away from the installer’s truck, you should expect to pay an additional 10% to 20% in installation fees. If they need to enter a narrow passageway to get to the lawn, it can drive up installation costs as well.
Sod Type
Sod usually ranges from $0.30 to $0.85, depending on the type. Bahia, Ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass usually cost the least, while Zoysia, Bentgrass and Centipede cost the most. For a mid-range option, consider Fescue, St. Augustine or Bermuda.
Delivery Fees
In many cases, you’ll need to pay an additional fee to get the sod delivered to your home prior to installation. Depending on how much sod you need, you’ll likely pay between $60 and $250 in delivery fees.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping, like sidewalks, brick walkways and water features, can increase your labor costs since your pro will need to carefully work around them. Budget for an additional 10% of your final cost if you have significant hardscaping and other obstacles in your yard.
Additional Cost Considerations and Related Services Associated With Laying Sod
When laying sod, you might want to tack on additional services, like installing a new sprinkler system or applying fertilizer. If so, make sure to budget for these additional costs.
Old Lawn Removal
If you have an existing lawn, you’ll need to remove it to lay any new sod. Typically, professional lawn removal costs between $1 and $3 per square foot. But you can save money by renting a sod cutter and removing the top grass layer yourself for around $60 to $100 per day.
Fertilizer and Herbicide
Adding fertilizer or herbicide to your new lawn can help it thrive. Depending on the size of your lawn, fertilizer applications usually cost between $150 and $500, or around $0.02 to $0.08 per square foot.
Land Excavation
Land excavation is often part of the process of preparing the ground for sod installation. It can be necessary if your existing terrain is uneven, has debris or lacks proper drainage. Excavation may include tasks like grading, leveling and removing obstacles such as rocks, roots or old vegetation. Land excavation costs can average around$3,100,but the complexity of the excavation work can impact the cost.
Sprinkler System
A sprinkler system can help prevent your new lawn from dehydrating, so if you don’t already have one, consider installing it during your sod installation.
You’ll want to ensure a new sprinkler system is installed first since it requires trenching. You definitely would not want to tear up new sod to install sprinklers.
— Sonya Harris, master gardener, Advisory Board Member
Sprinkler system costs between $2,400 and $4,500, depending on your yard’s size and the sprinkler’s features.
How Much Sod Should I Buy?
Determining how much sod you should buy is simple: It’s all about calculating the square footage of the area you plan to cover. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Measure the area:Utilize a measuring tape to measure both the length and width of the designated sod installation area. If the area doesn’t conform to a straightforward rectangle or square shape, segment it into smaller sections that can be measured independently.
- Calculate the square footage:Calculate the square footage of each section by multiplying the length by the width. If you have multiple sections, add up the square footage of all sections to get the total square footage for the entire area.
- Purchase a little extra:When you’re planning out your lawn, it’s always a good idea to buy a little more sod than the exact square footage you’ve calculated. This accounts for any irregularities in your measurements and ensures you have some extra sod for potential repairs or adjustments. A common recommendation is to add about 5% to 10% to your total square footage.
Ways to Save Money on Sod
There are several ways to save money on a new sod installation. Some tips include:
- Getting quotes from multiple professionals to find the right price
- Laying the sod yourself to save on labor costs
- Opting for astroturf rather than turf
- Choosing a relatively inexpensive sod, like Bahia, Ryegrass or Kentucky Bluegrass
- Finding a local sod supplier to save on delivery fees
- Buying the sod in bulk
6 Steps to Laying Sod
The process to lay sod involves the following steps:
- Testing the soil and removing debris
- Tilling and grading the soil
- Laying the sod along straight edges
- Staggering the sod seams as you lay them
- Applying starter fertilizer
- Using a lawn roller or other tool to create more adhesion between sod and soil
- Thoroughly watering the sod regularly
Sod vs. Seed Cost
Seeding involves laying grass seeds rather than sod, which already has mature grass on it. It’s definitely more affordable to seed, ranging from $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot. However, it can take up to two years for the grass to grow in, and the seedlings require more care and maintenance than fresh sod.
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DIY Sod Laying vs. Hiring a Professional
You can save money on labor costs by laying sod yourself. However, this job requires a few specialized tools and supplies, so you should budget for them in addition to the cost of sod itself if you don’t already have them on hand.
Sod installations typically require the following tools and supplies:
- Soil test: $12 to $20
- Lawn roller rental: $15 to $40 per day
- Wheelbarrow: $60 to $110
- Tape measure: $10 to $25
- Tamper: $40 to $60
- Rototiller rental: $50 to $100 per day
- Sod cutter rental: $60 to $100 per day
To arrive at the average costs in this article, we surveyed two material providers and seven local and national cost databases. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference in cost between laying sod and artificial grass?
Artificial grass, also called astroturf, costs more upfront than sod, ranging from $5 to $20 per square foot, depending on the type. However, once installed, artificial grass doesn’t require any maintenance or ongoing watering costs, unlike sod.
What is the best time of year to lay sod?
The best time of year to lay sod depends on your climate, but it’s generally best to lay it during the spring or fall when the months are cool but not cold and rainfall is heaviest. You want to avoid laying it in the summer or winter since extreme heat or cold can stress and dehydrate new sod.
How much sod do I need?
To figure out how much sod you’ll need, measure the length and width of the perimeter where you plan to install it then multiply the two figures. This calculation will get you the approximate number of square feet you need to fill, but consider adding 5% or 10% to that figure to account for uneven edges and overlaps.
How can I maintain my sod?
When sod is first installed, you want to make sure you water it thoroughly. Once it’s established, water it about once per week, depending on your climate. Other maintenance steps include:
- Mowing: Mow the sod to keep it at a height of around three inches, but don’t mow it shorter than a third of its height as that can inhibit growth.
Before mowing for the first time tug at the sod to ensure it’s secured to the soil. It’s ideal to wait approximately 2 weeks to ensure it has rooted into the ground.
— Sonya Harris, master gardener, Advisory Board Member
- Fertilizing: Fertilizer isn’t required, but it can help your sod thrive. Consider fertilizing the sod four weeks after installation, then every two months or so thereafter, with the exception of fertilizing during its dormancy in the winter months.
- Weeding: When weeds spread, it can hinder a lawn’s growth, so it’s best to pull weeds as soon as you see them cropping up.
- Aerating: Consider aerating your sod annually with a core aerator to decompact the soil and promote healthy growth.
How long does it take until I can walk on my lawn?
To give your sod time to root, avoid walking on it for at least 10 to 14 days. You might have to walk on it to water it, but otherwise, it’s best to leave it alone. After two weeks, the grass layer should do fine with a little foot traffic, but wait until at least a month has passed to perform any significant activities on the lawn.
How much does it cost to sod 200 square feet?
It costs between $60 and $170 to lay 200 square feet of sod without labor. If you hire a pro, your costs will increase to $200 to $400 .
