Sod costs about $0.60 per square foot, depending on the type you choose. If you include installation, the sod’s average price rises to around $1.65 per square foot. This covers the sod itself, delivery, basic ground preparation, and installation fees.
For a 2,000-square-foot yard, you might pay about $3,300 total if you go with full sod installation. Buying just the sod is cheaper upfront at about $1,200, but it means more work for you. You might need to rent special tools and purchase extra sod if you cut grass incorrectly.
These cost ranges are based on averages from prices across the U.S., including major cities and rural areas. Your specific cost will vary based on your lawn size, sod type, soil preparation, and where you live.
Sod Cost by Type
The type of sod you install can have a significant effect on the quality of your lawn. Some grass types have higher drought, disease, and foot traffic tolerances than others, making them more expensive. Here is our guide on The Best Types of Sod for Your Lawn.
The higher-quality sod type you buy, the more you can expect to pay per square foot.
Take a look below to see the average sod prices for common grasses:
| Type of Grass | Average Cost per Square Foot (Without Installation) | Average Cost per Square Foot (Including Installation) |
| Bahia | $0.20 – $0.33 | $0.77 – $1.26 |
| Ryegrass | $0.28 – $0.58 | $0.85 – $1.51 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $0.29 – $0.43 | $0.86 – $1.36 |
| Fescue | $0.32 – $0.67 | $0.89 – $1.60 |
| St. Augustine | $0.41 – $0.86 | $0.98 – $1.79 |
| Bermudagrass | $0.44 – $0.83 | $1.01 – $1.76 |
| Zoysia | $0.47 – $0.72 | $1.04 – $1.65 |
| Bentgrass | $0.53 – $0.66 | $1.10 – $1.59 |
| Centipede | $0.78 – $0.85 | $1.35 – $1.78 |
Sod Installation Cost by Location
The cost of installing sod varies depending on where you live. In cities with high costs of living, like New York or Los Angeles, you might pay more for labor and materials. If you live far from the supplier, delivery fees can be higher, too.
Also, certain types of grass grow better in specific climates, so the type of sod you need might affect the price.
In the table below, you’ll find the average costs for installing sod in various U.S. cities:
| Northeast U.S. | Cost per Square Foot of Sod (Including Labor Cost + Materials) |
| New York, NY | $2.20 to $3.50 |
| Pawtucket, RI | $1.65 to $3.00 |
| Washington, DC | $1.90 to $3.21 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Atlanta, GA | $1.30 to 2.00 |
| Dothan, AL | $1.15 to $2.10 |
| Palm Coast, FL | $1.90 to $3.20 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Chicago, IL | $1.50 to $2.10 |
| Lansing, MI | $1.70 to $2.50 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Seattle, WA | $2.30 to $3.10 |
| Corvallis, OR | $1.60 to $2.70 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Houston, TX | $1.50 – $2.90 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $1.60 – $3.00 |
| Denver, CO | $1.70 – $2.80 |
Sod Cost Per Pallet
A pallet of sod will cost you between $150 to $450, covering about 450 to 500 square feet. If you buy more sod at once, you might save money, with the price per square foot possibly dropping by 15% to 40%.
Minimum delivery requirements vary by supplier, with some accepting single pallet orders, while others have minimum orders, like needing to buy at least 2 to 6 pallets for delivery.
Helpful to Know: Contact local sod farms directly to find the best bulk pricing and delivery options. While the upfront cost is higher when buying in bulk, it reduces the overall expense of your lawn project.
Sod Cost Per Roll
Homeowners who have smaller yards or need to fix certain areas often choose to buy sod in rolls. Each roll is typically 2 feet by 5 feet, giving you about 10 square feet of grass.
The cost for each sod roll ranges from $4 to $7.50, without delivery. This price is somewhat higher per square foot compared to large pallets of sod but can be ideal for smaller projects. The exact dimensions and prices vary slightly depending on the provider and the region.
Labor Cost for Laying Sod
The labor fees for sod installation typically range from $37.50 to $77.50 per hour, or $0.55 to $1 per square foot. These price rates include placing the sod rolls properly and initial watering.
Always compare multiple quotes and confirm what’s included in the price. LawnStarter can connect you with local landscaping pros, making it easier to find fair rates and reliable services.
Sod Cost by Shape and Access to Area
Laying sod is easier in a square or rectangular yard, as you can roll and trim with less hassle. Yet, curved or angled spaces need extra precision, so pros spend extra time cutting around fences, trees, or other features.
Plus, if the team can’t easily reach the site, they might adjust their labor rates. Therefore, your final pricing may be higher by approximately 15% to 20% due to these extra labor efforts, unique terrain considerations, and the specialized equipment required.
Sod Delivery Fees
When you order sod, be sure to factor in a delivery charge from $65 to $230, depending on location, how much sod you buy, and supplier policies. Some providers charge a flat rate, while others base it on the number of pallets.
Always ask about extra handling charges if your location is hard to reach. You can also pick it up yourself, but you need the right vehicle and loading support.
Helpful to Know: Schedule the delivery on your installation day to keep your sod healthy.
Sod Ground Prep Cost
Before you install new sod, you need to prepare the soil properly, usually by removing any old sod (if applicable) or debris, leveling, and adding some healthy compost.
You can handle these tasks yourself or hire a pro for faster, more precise results. However, remember that ground preparation is a separate service from sod installation and will cost extra.
Here’s a breakdown of common tasks related to sod installation and their average costs, including labor and materials:
| Task | Average Cost (Labor and Tools) | Key Details |
| Removing Weeds and Old Grass (If necessary) | $0.88 to $1.84 per square foot | Includes disposal |
| Tilling and Grading the Soil | $0.90 to $2 per square foot | Combines soil loosening and leveling |
| Soil Testing | $12 to $30 per soil sample | Basic DIY kit (pH + nutrients) |
| Fertilizing | $0.02 to $0.07 per square foot | Pre-application for root growth |
| Adding Topsoil | $12 to $50 per cubic yard | Covers around 100 sq.ft. at 3 inches depth |
| Sprinkler System Installation | $0.29 to $0.48 per square foot | Basic irrigation installation for an above-ground system |
Sod Installation: DIY vs. Professional Costs
Installing sod yourself costs from $732 to $1,354 (or $0.70 to $1.30 per square foot) for a 1,000-square-foot yard. This includes sod rolls, materials, and renting tools like a tiller and a sod cutter for 4 hours. The costs can add up if you’re not familiar with the rented tools and it takes you longer.
In comparison, hiring a professional to install 1,000 square feet of sod (not including removal of old grass) would cost between $1,000 and $2,200, based on the national average labor and materials rate.
Helpful to know:
- Rental fees add $75 to $150 per day for tillers, rollers, and sod cutters. The DIY costs drop if you own some of the necessary tools.
- DIY requires 1 to 3 days of labor (plus learning time for beginners). Here is our complete guide: How to Lay Sod: A Step-by-Step Guide.
- Pros guarantee proper soil contact and watering.
Choose DIY only if you have lawn care experience. For most homeowners, professionals save time and prevent costly errors like uneven laying.
FAQ About Sod Cost
The typical cost for seeding a lawn ranges from $0.09 to $0.19 per square foot. Seeding your lawn may take time to show results, but it’s a much cheaper option than sodding. It also comes in handy if you’re sodding and encounter a few bare areas that need filling in.
On average, artificial turf installation costs $15 to $19 per square foot. In a 500-square-foot area, expect to pay between $7,400 to $9,350 in total. Artificial turf is ideal if you want lower water bills and less yard work year-round
One-fifth acre is 8,712 square feet, so the sod alone will cost around $5,227. This price does not include delivery or tool rentals.
Professional installation and basic prep work could raise it to around $14,375. Additional fees apply for drainage issues, challenging labor, and soil preparation.
Find a Lawn Care Expert Near You
Sodding your yard is quite an undertaking, with lots of factors to consider. Selecting the right grass and prepping the soil can be a challenge, not to mention installing it correctly. And even there, you still have to mow and water on schedule — like clockwork.
If this feels overwhelming, why not call in the pros? LawnStarter’s local lawn care experts and landscaping pros can juggle the tasks and give your lawn the makeover it deserves.
Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Photo Credit: Henry Burrows / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
