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How Much Does Sod Installation Cost?

Learn the basics of sod installation and read about the main factors influencing what you'll pay for this service from professionals in your area.

How Much Does Sod Installation Cost?
Photo of James Thompson
James ThompsonHomesAce Editor · 3 min readFormer licensed contractor turned writer, covering roofing, HVAC, and the trades with a builder's eye for quality.

Sod consists of grass "tiles" that come with roots. Sod installation provides a way to create a new lawn very quickly and there's no need to wait for seeds to sprout and grow. You might use this service when you construct a new home, expand an existing yard, or want to replace a lawn that isn't growing too well. 

How Much Does It Cost To Install Sod?

Several different expenses go into the price of this service. On average, sod costs around $18 per square foot, but this amount can vary to a considerable degree. One reason for such variations is that labor may be built into the price or billed separately. 

The initial cost of the necessary tools generally exceeds $100. Some contractors use more expensive equipment to save time. Transportation also plays a major role in determining the total expense. This is true because the tiles are both fairly large and quite heavy.

Factors That Influence The Price

The greatest factor is the square footage of your lawn. For example, an extra eight-by-eight area may add about $1,150 to the total cost to install sod. Other factors which serve to influence the overall cost include:

  • grass quality
  • number of rocks
  • property terrain
  • number of weeds

Most people choose to hire professionals for their sod installation because this project involves heavy lifting and other difficult tasks. It also calls for some tools that the average homeowner lacks.

An important consideration is the quality of the sod. Likewise, your yard's terrain has a major impact. If it's steep, uneven or contains many rocks, you can expect to pay extra. Contractors will also charge more to remove any existing grass or weeds. Another significant element is the shape of your lot. This matters because it's harder to arrange square tiles to fill an unusual shape.

Low, Average and High Sod Installation Costs

When a contractor bills you for this service, you might pay by the tile or square foot. Either way, the average cost to install sod is approximately $1,600. Nonetheless, you might spend just $100 if you want to cover a very small, flat area.  Some homeowners pay many times more, however, and a relatively large, rocky or hilly lawn may boost the price to $4,000. Keep in mind that sod tends to cost less per foot as the total square footage rises.

These estimates are based upon the amounts homeowners pay contractors throughout the nation. As a result, they might not be particularly accurate in some parts of the country. Installers earn different wages depending on the region, and the cost to deliver sod also varies due to local fuel prices and the traveling distance to the nearest sod production site.

Free Estimate From Local Professionals 

To view a much more precise sod installation quote in your area, simply enter your postal zip code in the space provided. It's 100% FREE, you'll be under no obligation, and the estimates come from nearby trusted professionals.

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