Sod Installation Cost

National average

$5,500

(Sod professionally installed and land prep work)

Low: $3,500-$4,000

(DIY)

High: $7,500

(Premium sod with upgrades and grading work)

Cost to install sod varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from landscapers in your city.

The cost of installing sod in a standard 8,00 sq.ft. yard averages $5,500.

In this guide

Materials
Labor
Enhancements
Additional Considerations

How much does it cost to install sod?

Instead of planting seeds and waiting for them to grow, installing sod is a quick alternative to a lush yard. For this example, we’ll consider the cost of installing sod in a standard 8,000 square foot yard, which averages $5,500. Sod can be installed on your own, but hiring a professional is always recommended.

Materials

Sod is real grass that typically comes in rolls or squares and averages $0.40-$0.70 per square foot. Sod plugs typically cost $3-$5 for a flat of 20 small plugs. The most common types of sod are:

Type	Price	Comments
St. Augustine	$0.30-$0.80	Popular in tropical and subtropical regions Drought and salt tolerant Foot traffic not recommended Fast-growing grass Not recommended for temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit
Bermuda	$0.40-$0.85	Fast-growing Invasive Hard to get rid of Drought tolerant
Zoysia	$0.40-$0.60	Recommended for climates similar to Japan or the Philippines Slow growth Drought-tolerant, although it turns brown without frequent watering
Fescue¹	$0.25-$0.70	Most popular Its tall varieties tolerate foot traffic Excellent for erosion control Stays green all year Low maintenance

Labor

Most landscapers charge installation fees based on the size of the yard, not by the hour. On average, plan to add $0.25-$0.60 per square foot for labor fees.

Enhancement and improvement costs

If you lawn needs to be graded², it can add another $1000-$2000.
Soil prep, such as spraying nutrients and removing rocks and debris, can add another $0.40-$0.60 per square foot, depending on how much work needs to be done.
Spraying fertilizer on the laid sod adds another $50-$100.
If you want an irrigation system³ that maintains your sod, it is recommended that it is installed before the sod is laid. Installing an irrigation system³ averages $1000 in a bare yard and $1300 in a yard where sod is already laid. A sprinkler system³ is more expensive, since it costs $2500-$3500 on average.

Additional considerations and costs

Removing and disposing of old sod or landscaping can add an additional $1000-$2000 to your total and two to three days to your project length.
If installing the sod yourself, you’ll need to rent a sod roller for around $40-$60 per day and a sod cutter for $70 a day.
Sod should be installed in the spring or fall and may have problems growing if laid in the winter.
Some sod companies offer free delivery within a certain area of their store, while others may charge a delivery fee of $50-$100.
Price per square foot tends to be lower in yards that are flatter and larger, as it is easier to install. Yards with big hills or an unusual shape are more difficult for sod installation, which may raise the overall price.

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Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.
See full cheat sheet.

¹ Fescue: A coarse, resilient grass that stays green all year. Fescue is considered a cool-season grass, so it does well in cooler temperatures but can turn brown quickly in the heat. This means that it must be watered frequently in the summer

² Graded: The process of evening out the ground's surface, making it either flat or sloped.