The average U.S. homeowner spends about $2,046 for sod installation. Depending on sod type, yard size, and prep, most spend between $1,072 and $3,021.
Sod installation costs an average of $2,046, and most homeowners pay between $1,072 and $3,021. A 500-square-foot yard can cost as low as $450, but a 2,000-square-foot yard can cost more than $5,400. Expect to pay between $1 and $6 per square foot for sod installation.
The quickest way to achieve the perfect lawn is to lay sod instead of growing grass from seed. Let’s review the different cost factors associated with this project to help build your overall budget.
Since sod prices are based on your lawn’s square footage, your yard size plays a hefty role in the cost of the project. For small patches, you might be able to spend less than $1,000 in total sod installation costs. However, if you’re looking to sod a quarter of an acre or more, that price is substantially higher.
| Yard Size | Average Sod Installation Cost (New Lawn) | Average Sod Installation Cost (Resod Existing Yard) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 square feet | $500–$1,300 | $1,000–$2,300 |
| 1,000 square feet | $1,000–$2,500 | $2,000–$4,500 |
| 1,500 square feet | $1,500–$3,800 | $3,000–$6,800 |
| 2,000 square feet | $2,000–$5,000 | $4,000–$9,000 |
| 3,000 square feet | $3,000–$7,500 | $6,000–$13,500 |
| 4,000 square feet | $4,000–$10,000 | $8,000–$18,000 |
| 5,000 square feet | $5,000–$12,500 | $10,000–$22,500 |
| 1/4 acre | $10,900–$27,300 | $21,800–$49,000 |
| 1/2 acre | $21,800–$54,500 | $43,600–$98,000 |
When buying by the yard, divide your square-foot measurements by nine to determine how much you need. For example, if your yard is 350 square feet, divide 350 by 9 for a total of 38.9 yards, and round that up to 39 yards of sod. Because most material is nonrefundable, be as accurate as possible while measuring and doing the math.
Not all sod is created equal—some can tolerate heat and drought, and others much prefer cooler climates. The type of grass for your sod can impact your overall cost, though the margins aren’t substantial. Speak with a local sod company to learn more about the type of grass that will thrive in your climate—after all, you wouldn’t want to install sod that can’t take the heat (or cold).
| Type of Sod | Average Cost per Square Foot (Labor and Materials) | Type of Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Bahia | $1.20–$2.40 | Warm to hot |
| Bermuda | $1.35–$2.85 | Warm to hot |
| Centipede | $1.75–$2.85 | Warm |
| Fescue | $1.35–$2.65 | Cool to warm |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $1.35–$2.40 | Cool |
| Ryegrass | $1.35–$2.65 | Moderate |
| St. Augustine | $1.35–$2.75 | Warm with high humidity |
| Zoysia | $1.40–$2.85 | Warm to hot |
Hiring a landscaper to install sod will ensure a quick installation that’s done right. Labor costs for installing sod on a 2,000-square-foot yard can range between $2,000 and $4,000.
Common landscaping projects you can hire a pro to take care of during the sod installation process include:
Soil testing: $20–$100
Lawn aeration: $75–$200
Fertilizing treatment: $75–$375
Where you live can influence how much you’ll pay for sod installation. Homeowners in high-cost-of-living areas and arid regions without much rainfall will spend more to install sod.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| New York | $1,300–$3,500 |
| Los Angeles | $1,300–$3,400 |
| Philadelphia | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Phoenix | $1,400–$3,800 |
| Houston | $800–$2,300 |
| Portland, OR | $1,300–$3,700 |
| Indianapolis | $875–$2,700 |
When installing sod, your final price tag may be affected by various factors. Yard preparation, the area’s accessibility, and ongoing maintenance can all add to the cost.
The starting point you’re working with will factor into your overall price for this project. The cost to sod a new lawn ranges from $1 to $2.50 per square foot for materials and labor combined. This process is relatively straightforward, so long as there are no obstacles or yard grade issues (we’ll discuss additional costs related to these later).
The cost to remove an existing lawn and resod ranges from $2 to $4.50 per square foot, again for both labor and material costs, primarily due to the additional labor costs associated with the removal and disposal of the existing lawn. You may be able to sod over an existing lawn—check with your sod installation pro to see if that’s an option.
Sod prices for delivery range from $65 to $230 per truckload. Many sod companies factor this into the total project estimate, but some might charge a separate fee. If you plan on handling your delivery, keep in mind that the grass is very heavy (a pallet ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 pounds), and you will have to pay for transportation unless you have a large vehicle that can support the weight.
Obstacles like hardscaping and structural objects—like stepping stones, raised garden beds, and even trees and their roots—can also slow your project down and add up to 10% more to the total price to install sod. One way to reduce grass installation costs is to clear your yard of any potential obstacles before laying the sod.
If you need to clear away old grass and weeds prior to installing sod, this costs between $1 and $2 per square foot on average. Prices vary based on the amount of work and the time it takes to do it.
Some yards need a little extra TLC before you can lay sod. If you need to budget for the price of leveling or regarding your yard, tack on an additional $1 to $3 per square foot to your total price. In many cases, regrading your yard is crucial to ensure proper drainage.
The cost to test your soil is around $60 on average, but costs can range anywhere from $20 to $100. A professional soil test can help determine how to amend it and help your new grass grow thick and healthy. This test will also help you decide what type of grass grows best in your lawn’s soil conditions.
Soil conditions play a key role in the success of your lawn project. Poor soil quality makes it difficult for grass to take root and establish roots. In some cases, the soil may need to be modified before the turf is laid, which increases the cost of the project. Lawn aeration costs $45 to $200, and may be necessary to revitalize your soil before laying sod.
Adding a layer of topsoil costs between $12 and $55 per cubic yard. While soil amendments can help prepare it for growing grass, soil that is infertile, overly compacted, or prone to weeds might not be salvageable. Starting with a fresh, fertile layer of topsoil is ideal in these cases.
The cost of fertilizing a lawn ranges from $0.02 to $0.08 per square foot and is a great investment to make for the overall health of your lawn. Applying fertilizers and herbicides to the lawn before laying new grass gives it an instant boost and makes it more resistant to weeds.
Want to keep your new lawn green and vibrant even if you forget to water it? Consider adding a new sprinkler system to your project (since all the grass will be uprooted anyway). On average, installing a new sprinkler system costs between $1,650 and $3,600.
Choosing the right type of sprinkler system for your garden can be a complicated process, so it's a good idea to consult an expert for an accurate cost estimate. The cost of installing a professional sprinkler system can vary greatly depending on the size of your lawn and the type of system you choose.
Knowing the cost to install sod to make a luscious lawn is one thing, but you’ll also need to be aware of the ongoing costs associated with it once the job is done. While sod tends to be more low-maintenance than seed, both sod and seeded yards will need to be properly maintained to keep them thriving.
Maintenance includes tasks like mowing your new lawn, removing weeds, and implementing pest control. Most local landscaping companies can help you care for your sod, with costs ranging from $35 to $190 per hour, depending on the job.
Lawn mowing costs: $50–$205
Weed removal costs: $50–$150
Lawn pest control costs: $110–$260
Calculations are based on the cost of installing sod in a 2,000-square-foot yard and are rounded to the nearest whole number.
| Sod Installation Labor | 2,000 square feet | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Optional: Remove Old Sod | 2,000 square feet | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Optional: Land Leveling | 2,000 square feet | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Optional: Soil Testing | 1 soil test | $20–$100 |
| Optional: Fertilizing the Lawn | 2,000 square feet | $40–$160 |
| Total | $2,000–$4,000 | |
| Total per Square Foot | $1–$2 | |
| Total with Options | $6,060–$16,260 | |
| Total per Square Foot with Options | $3–$8 |
A sod installer can measure your yard for you as part of their quote. To measure your property yourself:
Sketch the outline of your yard, breaking it into smaller sections if needed.
Measure the areas in feet and write down the measurements as you go.
Multiply the length and width of each area.
Add them all together.
While you can’t change the cost of materials for this project, there are some ways that you can trim back on sod installation costs to stay within your budget.
Buy lower-priced species, such as Bahia grass and Kentucky bluegrass.
Remove your own grass rather than having the pros do it.
Perform any necessary lawn preparation, like regrading, aeration, and adding topsoil, before the pros install your sod.
To cover a smaller area, ask your sod installation pro if any remnants (precut pieces leftover from other projects) are available at a discounted price.
Buy the materials separately and only pay for labor, which costs about $35 to $75 per hour.
Though it’s easy enough to lay sod DIY-style, it can take a lot of time and energy. Not to mention, all the equipment, soil testing, and materials you’ll need to lay sod on your own often cost around the same as it costs to hire a pro.
If you’re not up for a physical workout and the trial and error of choosing the best type of sod for your yard, save this one for the pros. A sod installer knows the ins and outs of laying sod in your area and can help you make decisions regarding the type of sod that works best for your climate and soil type, as well as the ideal time to lay sod for optimal results.
Spring is the best time for sod installation, but it can be done in the fall. You want the temperatures appropriate for grass growth, and you'll need to water constantly during the early stages of installation.
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Sod, sometimes referred to as turf, is grown grass that can be laid out to form your lawn. Sod is held together by the grass roots or a layer of netting, making it easily transportable and installable. Laying sod is a fast option to get the yard of your dreams without having to lay seed and watch it grow, plus it’s often lower maintenance. Just like traditional grass seed, you can find many different varieties of sod to meet the growing needs of your climate.
Each standard piece of sod is 2 feet long and 1 1/2 feet wide. A pallet of sod will cover around 450 square feet of lawn space. However, some pallet sizes can range between 400 and 700 square feet. Your sod manufacturer should be able to provide an accurate estimate of the coverage per pallet.
While the cost to sod a yard is about $1 per square foot higher than the cost of seeding a lawn, seed is more difficult to maintain over time. Seeded lawns can take up to two years to grow in completely and require regular weed control, so some homeowners choose to sod their yards. Plus, sod can immediately increase your home's curb appeal by creating a lush, green yard by the end of the installation.
Wait for 10 to 14 days before walking on your lawn after installing sod—that includes keeping the kids and dog off your gorgeous new grass—because it needs time to grow a healthy root system. The grass isn’t firmly attached to the ground until the roots grow in and could move around accidentally. Disturbing the grass mats during this stage could interrupt root growth and make it take much longer. After six weeks, roots should be stable enough to resume regular lawn maintenance, including mowing and edging.
After laying your new sod, keep an attentive eye on its progress as it adjusts to your lawn. New sod gets dehydrated easily, so be sure to water the lawn before the installation and then maintain a consistent watering schedule for your yard. If you notice brown patches on your new sod, that’s a clear sign of dehydration and lack of nutrients.
The best time to install is during the spring or fall months. Sod cannot be installed when the ground is frozen during the winter months, and the summer heat can cause certain grass types to become severely dehydrated. Keep in mind that moist weather conditions can help your new sod root quicker, making the wet and rainy seasons the best conditions for this project.
