How Much Does it Cost to Install Sod?

Buying sod is a much easier way to arrive at a beautiful lawn than planting grass seed. The time-how consuming process of planting seeds and nurturing them while they grow is done for you.

Sod is cultivated on a farm with meticulous care, just like any other type of crop. The seeds are planted and the grass is harvested when it is healthy, mature and free of weeds. The grass in then cut into squares, roots intact, and sold.

Sod requires far less watering than seed, and it is more likely to grow and thrive. Sod typically requires no weed control for two to four years. And while seeding can only be done certain times of the year, sodding is OK to do anytime during the growing season.

About Sod Installation

Sod is available in many types of grass, including all of the most popular varieties. There are cool-season grasses such as Bent, Red Fescue and Rye; transition-zone grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue and Zoysia; and warm climate grasses such as Bahia, Bermuda, Buffalo, Carpet, Centipede and St. Augustine.

Most companies offer residential and commercial installation, although some companies specialize in one or the other. The minimum delivery is typically 1 pallet (400 square feet), although most lawns are considerably larger than that.

There are three steps to laying sod:

• Ground preparation creates the best possible conditions for sod to thrive. All of the old grass is removed, as well as any weeds.
• Grading creates an even base for the sod so your lawn looks neat and uniform. Drainage problems are also addressed during this step. The sod company will make sure water is directed away from your home and property.
• Installation is the final step. Rolls of sod are placed on the freshly graded base.

Cost to Install Sod

Sod typically costs anywhere from $0.10-$0.30 per square foot, depending on type and quality. If your lawn is 8,000 square feet (which is fairly average), the cost will range from $800 to $2,400, not including installation.

With professional installation, the cost could climb to about $1 per square foot. Site preparation work such as grass and stump removal can add to that total cost. Most companies charge anywhere from $30-$50 an hour for those services.

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