How Much Does Sod Installation Cost in 2025?
Installing sod costs an average of $2,061
Average sod installation costs can range from $1,074 to $3,049, with an average of $2,061.
Location, yard size, and sod quality are major cost factors.
Including labor, sod costs $1 to $6 per square foot.
Prep the yard correctly upfront to sidestep surprises and extra costs down the road.
Bringing in a pro sets you up for a healthy, long-lasting lawn.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Need a lush, green lawn in a hurry? On average, sod installation costs between $1,074 and $3,049, with an average of $2,061. Your final price depends on where you live, the size of the yard, and the grass variety you pick. Build these factors into your budget and, when possible, lean on a trusted pro for long-term results and fewer future fixes.
Sod Installation Cost Factors
How much you’ll pay for sod installation depends on a variety of factors. Here’s a closer look at how your total breaks down.
Sod Type
The grass species you choose is one of the biggest drivers of your resodding budget.
Sod prices range from $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot. All in, that's $1 to $6 per square foot. The type of sod you need depends on the climate where you live, how much traffic it needs to withstand, the conditions in your soil, and whether the new sod needs to be resistant to a particular disease, fungus, or pest.
| Type of Sod | Price Range per Sq. Ft. (All-In) |
|---|---|
| Bahia | $1.20–$2.40 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $1.35–$2.40 |
| Zoysia | $1.40–$2.85 |
| Fescue | $1.35–$2.65 |
| Ryegrass | $1.35–$2.65 |
| St. Augustine | $1.35–$2.75 |
| Bermuda | $1.35–$2.85 |
| Centipede | $1.75–$2.85 |
Delivery Fees
Expect to spend $65 to $230 per truckload for delivery. Many installers roll this into their quotes, but some list it as a line item. DIYers still have to cover delivery—unless you own a vehicle that can safely haul a pallet weighing well over a ton.
Size and Shape of the Area
Yard size and shape play a big role in the bottom line. More square footage means more rolls of sod and a higher materials tab. Irregular shapes, slopes, hills, or other challenging features can add up to 10% more to your total in materials and labor.
Here’s a look at average costs for installing sod in various yard sizes.
| Yard Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost (New Lawn) | Average Cost (Resod Existing Yard) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | $500–$1,300 | $1,000–$2,300 |
| 1,000 | $1,000–$2,500 | $2,000–$4,500 |
| 1,500 | $1,500–$3,800 | $3,000–$6,800 |
| 2,000 | $2,000–$5,000 | $4,000–$9,000 |
| 3,000 | $3,000–$7,500 | $6,000–$13,500 |
| 4,000 | $4,000–$10,000 | $8,000–$18,000 |
| 5,000 | $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 |
Site Preparation and Obstacles
Yard prep is critical—and it can swing your project cost up or down. Features in your yard, like tree roots, large decorative rocks, or lots of debris, can act as obstacles during installation. If you have tree roots near the surface, the installer might need to take extra care to avoid damaging your trees.
Consider moving large rocks if possible, or discuss with your pro how to work around them. Lawn grading may be necessary if the area is uneven or sloped, which can add $1 to $3 per square foot.
Having hardscaping in the lawn area adds to your cost in terms of labor because it takes more time to work around these features. If a lawn has a lot of hardscape features, it can add an extra 10% to your project price. Hardscape features and permanent objects that may impact resodding cost include:
Stepping stones
Walkways
Decorative rocks
Firepit
Raised bed
Trees
New vs. Replacement Sod
Laying sod on bare, new-build soil runs $1 to $2.50 per square foot. This is more budget-friendly since there's no old lawn to remove, and prep work is minimal. You'll just need to add nutrient-rich topsoil and lightly tamp it down.
Resodding an existing lawn jumps to $2 to $4.50 per square foot because crews first have to strip and haul away the old grass. You may be able to sod over an existing lawn—check with your sod installation pro to see if that’s an option. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of lawn fertilizer, which ranges from $75 to $375 per treatment.
Sod Installation Add-On Costs
To maintain a healthy lawn so you don't have to resod every few years, you may need to invest in a sprinkler system. And to get a lush, green lawn or to repair brown patches in your sod, you may need to seed it, too. These types of add-ons can quickly increase the total price of laying sod in your backyard.
Sprinkler System
Installing a sprinkler system costs between $1,650 and $3,600. If you have the sprinkler system installed at the same time as the sod goes down, you'll pay closer to the bottom end of the budget because installing them together is the least labor-intensive and, therefore, the most cost-effective option.
Seeding
Seeding a lawn costs between $0.10 and $0.20 per square foot. You may want to seed or overseed areas of the existing lawn that you haven't resodded. And if the sod has brown patches or develops dead areas that just don't root properly, you can seed the area with minimal cost and effort to repair the damage.
DIY vs. Hiring a Sod Installer
DIY sod looks cheaper at first glance, but once you add equipment rentals, soil tests, and materials, you’ll spend roughly the same $2,000 you’d pay a pro. A seasoned installer handles the heavy lifting—delivery, regrading, even sprinkler installs—so you get the right grass and a stress-free finish. Hire a local sod installer to transform your lawn quickly and efficiently.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seeding costs less up front, but you’ll wait months—and sometimes a full season—for the grass to fill in. Sod costs more per square foot, yet it gives you an instant, usable lawn the day it’s installed and needs far less care during the first year.
If speed and early curb appeal matter, the higher sod price is often worth it; if you’re watching every dollar and don’t mind the wait, seed can still be a smart play.
Start by sketching your lawn and breaking it into rectangles or circles. Measure each section, multiply length by width, and then add all the sections together for the total square footage. Standard sod rolls are two feet by 1.5 feet, and one pallet covers 450 square feet.
Divide your total area by 450 to see how many pallets you need, then round up—extras come in handy for cutting around curves or mistakes. Still unsure? A local sod supplier or installer can confirm your math before you order.
Most sod grips the soil within 10 to 14 days. During that stretch, keep foot traffic to a minimum and mow only if the grass gets tall. After two weeks, the roots should be strong enough for light use, but wait six weeks before heavy play or frequent mowing. Giving the grass that short honeymoon helps it anchor firmly and sets the stage for a durable, healthy lawn.
Give your new lawn two full weeks before any foot traffic, then stick to light use only. Hold off on vigorous play, parties, or regular mowing until the six-week mark so the roots can dig deep. Keep watering on schedule and watch for any dry patches. A little patience now means stronger turf and fewer repairs later.
Keep an eye on color, moisture, and even growth. Fresh sod should stay uniformly green; brown spots or gaps hint at dry soil or poor contact. Water deeply at least once a day for the first week (more in hot weather) and back off gradually after the roots take. Avoid heavy foot traffic until the grass feels firmly anchored. Quick attention to trouble spots now prevents costly patches later.
Aim for spring or early fall when daytime temps hover between 55°F and 80°F. Mild weather and consistent moisture help the roots knit quickly. Laying sod in midsummer can stress the grass, while frozen winter soil blocks rooting altogether.
If you must install outside the ideal window, budget extra time for watering and tending to the turf. Choosing the right season makes the job easier and the lawn tougher.
- Xeriscape Install
- Putting Green - Install
- Landscape - Install Landscaping for Yard or Garden
- Landscape - Install Synthetic Grass for Putting Greens, Play Areas, etc.
- Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping
- Landscape Curbing - Install
- Holiday Lighting - Add or Remove
- Landscape - Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery
- Outdoor Lighting - Plan and Install
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