Unlike seeded lawns, which can take one to two years to mature, sod gives you a carpeted lawn almost immediately. But with such instant gratification, you may wonder how much sod costs these days.
The national average cost of sod installation is around $2,010, but many homeowners spend between $1,048 and $2,992. Sod type, yard size, and soil prep will all affect your final bill. Want to install a sprinkler system? That service is going to cost you extra.
In this pricing guide, we’ll cover:
- Average Sod Installation Costs in 2024
- Cost Estimator by Sod Type
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost of Sod Installation by Location
- FAQ
Average Sod Installation Costs in 2024
| National Average Cost | $2,010 |
| Typical Price Range | $1,048 – $2,992 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $583 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $7,238 |
The numbers above are national averages and should help you estimate how much sod installation will cost you. Remember that your total project cost will vary depending on many factors, including your yard’s size, obstructive landscape features, and terrain.
A square foot of sod usually costs around $0.31 to $0.82 per square foot. If you’re skipping the DIY route and want professional sod installation, most sod installers charge an additional labor fee (between $0.55 and $0.93 per square foot) on top of the price of sod. So, you can expect to pay anywhere from $0.86 to $1.75 per square foot for both labor and materials.
Cost Estimator by Sod Type
The type of sod you install can have a significant impact on the quality of your lawn. Some grass types have higher drought, disease, and foot traffic tolerances than others, making them more expensive.
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.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Your sod project’s final bill won’t always fall in the expected price range. That’s because there are several elements at play that can determine the total sod installation price.
Factors like the shape of your yard, delivery charges, and soil condition can all incur additional costs. We will go over these items in detail so you can better calculate how much your sod project is going to cost you.
Project Size
The larger your yard, the more sod you’ll need and the more you can expect to pay. Since you already know that sod grass prices range from $0.31 to $0.82 per square foot and sod installation can be anywhere from $0.86 to $1.75 per square foot, you can easily calculate your project cost estimate based on square footage.
| Project Size | Average Cost (Materials Only) | Average Cost (Labor and Materials) |
| 1,000 square feet | $310 – $820 | $860 – $1,750 |
| 2,000 square feet | $620 – $1,640 | $1,720 – $3,500 |
| 3,000 square feet | $930 – $2,460 | $2,580 – $5,250 |
| 4,000 square feet | $1,240 – $3,280 | $3,440 – $7,000 |
| ⅛ acre (5,445 sq. ft.) | $1,688 – $4,465 | $4,683 – $9,529 |
| ⅙ acre (7,260 sq. ft.) | $2,251 – $5,953 | $6,244 – $12,705 |
| ⅕ acre (8,712 sq. ft.) | $2,701 – $7,144 | $7,492 – $15,246 |
| ¼ acre (10,890 sq. ft.) | $3,376 – $8,930 | $9,366 – $19,058 |
Shape of Area
It’s easier to lay sod in a perfectly square or rectangular yard than an oddly shaped or curved yard. Professionals will need to take extra steps to make accurate alignments in an oddly shaped yard, like cutting the turf. Because of the additional labor required, you may be charged a higher labor rate.
Accessibility of Area
If the installers don’t have adequate access to the area that needs sodding, they may raise their labor rates. For example, if you have a large yard or piece of land that requires the installers to carry the sod over a great distance, this will require more time and labor.
Delivery Fees
Some suppliers charge sod delivery fees. When estimating your total cost, add a delivery fee ranging from $60 to $259 on average.
Ground Prep Work
Before starting your landscaping project, you’ll need to consider additional factors like preparing your lawn. You may choose to do the ground preparation work yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
Ground preparation is a separate service from sod installation and will cost extra. Typical ground preparation includes soil testing, grading the soil, and installing topsoil.
Landscape Obstacles
Existing landscaping, such as rock gardens or hardscapes, can make the installation process difficult. If a professional landscaper needs to install sod around obstacles in the landscape, it will take more effort to achieve correct alignment and may lead to higher labor costs.
Related Services
Since remodeling the lawn is on your mind, why not consider other lawn care services to boost your yard’s curb appeal? Apart from aeration and mowing services, you may realize that you prefer one of the alternative options over sod installation.
Aeration
Since aeration helps reduce soil compaction, it’s important to aerate your lawn before (and after) sod installation. Lawn aeration costs around $82 to $251 per visit, but it can help your new sod adapt better to its new environment. Note that you can cross this service off your pre-sod installation to-do list if you’re applying new topsoil on your lawn.
Fertilization
Your newly sodded lawn will need all the help it can get to establish successfully. Through fertilization, you can provide it with the nutrients necessary for developing a strong root system. Lawn fertilization costs around $289, with most homeowners spending between $103 and $343.
Grass Removal
To create a smooth and even surface for the new sod, it’s imperative to remove your old grass. Doing so can allow better nutrient absorption and help promote a more uniform grass growth.
Mowing
Compared to seeding, sod will grow faster and may need mowing in just two to four weeks. Lawn mowing costs between $36 and $105 per visit or around $32 to $68 per hour. But if you have the time and energy to mow your own lawn, you can buy a lawn mower instead.
Dethatching
Once your sod has been established, moss, dead grass, and other debris may accumulate on your lawn. If they build up, you will need to remove them to ensure your new lawn receives all the nutrients it can get. Lawn dethatching costs around $175 per hour, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $146 to $246.
Sprinkler System Installation and Repair
Before laying down sod, you may want to consider the convenience of a built-in sprinkler system. You won’t have to worry about finding the time to water your lawn, and you can rest easy knowing your turf is staying well-hydrated.
If you already have a built-in sprinkler system, remember to maintain it properly and hire a sprinkler repair service pro if there’s a problem with your watering system.
Weed Control
Don’t let weeds take over your lawn, as they can compete with the new sod for resources like sunlight, nutrients, and water. So, remember to hire weed control professionals before your sod installation project to create the perfect environment for your new turf.
Alternative Solutions
While sod installation does give you a green lawn quickly, there are other options to get green grass, such as:
Seeding
Seeding your lawn may take time to show results, but it’s a more affordable option than sodding. It also comes in handy if you don’t want to let go of your existing grass that’s already thinning or you’re sodding and encounter a few bare areas that need filling in.
The cost to seed a lawn typically ranges from $592 to $1,768, with most homeowners paying around $1,122. Remember that these averages include various lawn sizes and may not always apply to the area size you need to overseed or reseed.
Artificial Grass
Homeowners looking to save on water and landscape maintenance may be interested in opting for synthetic turf. With artificial grass, you’ll have an evergreen lawn that requires no mowing, watering, or fertilization.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
One option for installing sod is to do it yourself. Remember that preparing the ground is back-aching and time-consuming work, and you may not always get the same results as hiring a professional. You’ll also need to invest time to learn how to install sod the right way.
Here is the list of materials you’re going to need:
| DIY Equipment/Materials | Typical Cost |
| Granular fertilizer | $5 – $14 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Tape measure | $12 |
| Home soil test | $14 |
| Shovel | $20 |
| Garden knife | $20 |
| Tamper | $48 |
| Lawn roller rental | 4 hours: $14 Full day: $22 Deposit: additional $25 |
| Rototiller rental | 4 hours: $53 Full day: $78 Deposit: additional $50 – $150 |
| Sod cutter rental | 4 hours: $64 Full day: $88 Deposit: additional $150 |
| Handheld fertilizer spreader | $11 – $35 |
| Wheelbarrow | $69 |
| Total DIY cost | $330 – $420 |
It’s going to cost you between $330 and $420 in materials to install sod in a 1,000-square-foot yard, not including the sod itself. This average cost considers it will only take you between four hours and one day of rental to get the job done, so the costs can add up if you’re not familiar with it and it takes you longer.
Still, the costs could be lower if you already have some of the materials at home. However, when you hire a professional, the sod installers will do all the heavy lifting for you, including delivering the sod, preparing the ground, and installing your new lawn. Hiring a professional will prove to be more economical than laying the sod yourself.
Cost of Sod Installation by Location
This sod pricing guide covers the national average costs of materials and professional installation. On a local scale, the average cost of sod may vary depending on where you live.
If you live far away from sod suppliers, you can expect your delivery fees to rise. Sod farms and landscaping companies in your area also may have higher or lower sod rates than the average.
FAQ
How Long Does New Sod Take to Develop a Root System?
Sod usually takes root within 14 days. You’ll know the root system has developed once the sod becomes difficult to lift off the ground. Also, remember not to disturb your sod during the two weeks it’s taking root.
How Many Square Feet are in a Pallet of Sod?
Most sod farms sell their sod by the pallet, where the grass is cut into squares or rolls. A pallet of sod usually covers 450 to 650 square feet, with 450 square feet being the most common.
A 450-square-foot pallet of sod typically costs between $136 to $373. Ask your supplier about it, so you can accurately calculate the total cost of your project.
Is Installing Sod Better Than Seeding?
The answer to this question will depend on your priorities, such as time, budget, and personal preference. If you choose to install sod, you can have an established lawn instantly. However, the overall cost of your sod installation project can be more expensive than seeding.
If you want to save money, a more cost-effective solution will be seeding. Keep in mind, though, that you will need to be patient while you wait for the grass to grow and fill in your lawn.
Hire a Pro for Sod Installation
Buying sod is the easy part. Laying sod is back-straining work. Consider hiring a professional to install your sod — this way, your hardest work may be tamping down the new sod with your bare feet.Now that you know installing sod costs around $0.86 to $1.75 per square foot, it’s time for you to choose a reliable lawn care pro who can get the job done on your behalf.
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
