How Much Does It Cost To Install Sod?

How much is sod?

The cost of sod installation is impacted by the type of sod you install, whether this is a new installation or a replacement, whether you install yourself or hire a pro, and the size of your lawn.

How sod installation costs are calculated:

• Materials. Sod material alone costs an average of $0.43 to $0.65 per square foot, depending on the variety of grass used.
• Installation. Professional installation is usually billed according to square footage, which averages $0.84 - $1.84 per square foot. DIY sod installation can save about 35-50% on labor.
• Lawn size. The size of the area to lay sod will also contribute to the installation cost. Bigger lawns will typically cost less per square foot to install than smaller lawns.

Your project’s costs will also depend on the unique requirements of your project, which we’ll discuss next.

Sod price per square foot

Nationwide, fully installed sod will cost about $1.88 per square foot, ranging in between $1.27 and $2.49, including labor and materials. The biggest factor in determining the cost to install sod will be the size of the area to cover. Use the chart below to estimate your project’s cost based on yard size.

Ground preparation

Ground preparation is an important and essential step in any sod installation project and can add a significant amount to the overall cost of your sod prices. Make sure your landscaping contractor includes the necessary preparation in their estimate.

Ground preparation includes several steps:

1. Soil testing
   If you’re installing new sod rather than replacing it, testing the pH of the soil can indicate how likely it is that the sod will thrive. A pH of 6.5 to 7 is ideal, if your pH levels are out of this range, your soil may need to be treated to reduce the risk of the sod dying.
2. Clearing the Area
   Replacing an existing lawn means the old sod will need to be removed. For a new sod installation, clearance of shrubs, trees, weeds, rocks, tree stumps, and other debris may be required.
3. Grading
   Grading is the process of correcting the slope of your yard. As a general rule of thumb, lawns should slope away from a house for drainage away from the foundation. Complex grading can add up to 10% extra to the total cost of a sod installation project.
4. Tilling
   Also called rototilling, this involves breaking up and turning over the top 2-3 inches of soil to help the sod’s roots to grow. This step is usually charged at a standard hourly labor rate set by your professional, but machinery rental may also be an additional cost on top of that.
5. Topsoil and Fertilizer
   Adding 4-6 inches of nutrient-rich topsoil to the ground will give new sod the best chance to thrive. Expect to pay more per square foot for good-quality topsoil, including materials, delivery, and placement. Although fertilizer happens after the sod is installed, it’s a crucial part of the process that is typically included in your project’s estimate.
6. Tamping
   The last step in ground preparation is to tamp the new soil so it presents a stable, evenly distributed foundation. It’s important to leave this step to experienced professionals, as soil that is tamped too much will be too dense for roots to grow or so loose that it erodes. Tamping is also charged at your professional’s hourly labor rate, and machinery may cost extra.

Sod installation labor

Most landscaping professionals will charge you by the hour to install new sod. Nationwide average labor rates range between $45 and $75 per hour depending on their experience. Your landscaping contractor should include labor in their estimate, but there may be a separate charge for specialty services. If any additional prep work is required, be sure to budget for those extra labor costs as well.

Sprinkler systems

If you plan to install a sprinkler system, doing it as part of a sod installation is a great way to save hassle, time, and possibly money. It’s important to note that adding a sprinkler system to a sod installation will increase the averages and estimates outlined here.

Sprinkler systems cost about $2,630 for a typical lawn, usually ranging between $1,740 and $3,400. The larger the area, the price per square foot will usually decrease, and you may be able to negotiate a lower price as part of a larger sod installation project.

Sod replacement cost

Removing and disposing of existing sod costs between $1,000 and $2,000 in addition to your other installation costs. Make sure you tell the landscaper that you have old sod you need to remove when requesting an estimate. DIY-ers can rent a mechanical sod cutter for about $95 daily to save on this cost.

Full replacement, including removal and installation of new sod, will run you a grand total of about $2,000 - $5,000 for a typical project.

How do sod prices vary?

The grass used for sod comes in a variety of different species. The type of sod you choose can depend on:

• How you want your grass to look
• How easy it is to maintain
• If it will thrive in your specific climate
• How much you want to pay per square foot

Grade of sod

Sod comes in three grades: economy, mid, and high. The cost of your sod will depend mostly on the grade, which refers to the health and strength of the sod's root system. Low-grade sod may take more care on your part to keep it healthy and protect it from diseases, so it could cost more in maintenance over time.

Average costs of different grades of sod:

• Economy grade: $0.30 per square foot
• Mid-grade: $0.50 per square foot
• High-grade: $0.80 per square foot

Lower-grade sod doesn't have as much soil attached to it, and it tends to have shorter blades of grass. Quality sod should have about one inch of soil attached to it with blades of around two inches long. Check the roots to ensure that they look healthy and that the color of the grass appears consistent throughout.

Sod grass types

Artificial grass vs. sod

The cost to install artificial grass is approximately $3,183 to $6,000 for an average-sized lawn. If you live in a dry climate or you just don’t want to take care of a natural lawn, artificial grass can be a great alternative to sod but will cost you more up-front.

Artificial grass is made of synthetic materials like plastic or recycled rubber to mimic the look of real grass. You'll never need to water it once it's installed, and you also won't have to worry about mowing it. The downside to this low-maintenance "grass" is that you won't be able to add plants like trees, shrubs, or flowers without cutting a hole in it so plants can root underneath.

How to install sod

Installing sod can be a complicated, specialized, and time-consuming task. But if you have a straightforward project and want to install sod in a relatively small area, it is possible to do it yourself. Set aside multiple days for your project to be sure you’re not rushing through the important steps.

There are several steps involved in installing sod. Some are optional and may add to the overall cost of a sod installation project, such as installing a sprinkler system or grading your yard.

1. Prepare Your Soil
   Use a rototiller to loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. You may then want to add topsoil, like nutrient-rich compost mixed with sand or clay to improve drainage.
2. Level the Ground
   Rake the ground to evenly distribute the soil and ensure it’s all level or slopes away from the house and foundation.
3. Lay the First Row
   Be sure to lay the first row against a straight edge (like a patio or fence line) to set the angle for the lawn. Don’t stand on the sod while you unroll it, and rake out any wrinkles or loose areas to ensure there are no gaps between the soil and the sod.
4. Lay the Rest of the Sod
   To lay the rest of the sod, plan to stagger the placement like brickwork. To get started, cut half of a piece and place it at the start of the second row, then continue to place sod pieces along the row until you reach the end. The sod pieces should fit closely to one another without overlap or gaps.
5. Prepare and Maintain Your Turf
   When you’re finished laying the sod, give it a thorough watering. Water every morning and minimize stepping on your new lawn for about a week. Slowly decrease the watering frequency, then fertilize and water, as usual, starting on the fourth week. Start mowing when the grass is about three inches high.