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Find Sod installers in Des Moines

Avatar for Professional Contracting Iowa
Professional Contracting Iowa
5.0(
81
)

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1997

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"After living in our home for over 20 years heavy rain coming off the roof had caused the terraced landscaping in front of the house to sink about a foot and the concrete terrace blocks were nowhere close to level. We had a landscape engineer look at it and he never got back to us. We had a concrete guy look at it and he never got back to us. Then we had Chris with Professional Contracting look at it. He said he believed he knew what to do, which was to build two parallel retaining walls. In addition the steps to our house had also sunk down nearly six inches. Chris proposed building new steps and a new sidewalk, as well as a front patio (where the bulk of the water was channeling off the roof) to direct the water away. He seemed confident and we felt like he knew what he was doing, so we hired him. He and his crew arrived when promised. Chris works very hard and implores his crew to do the same. As they were working we decided to add another small front patio and a large back patio and Chris and his crew adapted to this change without complaint or delay. If anything, the two retaining walls were overbuilt. When they were done Chris made sure the ground around the concrete work was properly sloped and they cleaned everything up. About five months later I noticed that the one retaining wall was moving, being pushed by the dirt it was supposed to be holding back. Chris came to look at it. Given that it was overbuilt, we were both very surprised that it would start to move. Chris took full responsibility. He and his crew came back and excavated the dirt from between the two walls and installed very heavy chains from the top of the one that was moving to the base of the other one, to prevent any more movement. Then they filled the dirt back in so that you could not tell they had been there again. Given our confidence in Chris at that point, while they were doing this repair we had them install another sidewalk. Chris did the repair work without any charge. Chris will tell you that he is not the cheapest, but that he will do the job right. We firmly believe that to be the case. The fact that he came and fixed the movement of the one retaining wall promptly, and at a significant investment of time by his crew, with NO charge to us, proves that he will do things right or he will fix it. It has now been two years since this work was done and everything is looking good. You can probably find someone to do concrete work for less but you will not find someone to do better quality concrete work and to guarantee the results."
Concrete - Pouring & Repair Project
Concrete - Pouring & Repair Project
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+26

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Bernd's Pond
Bernd's Pond
5.0(
11
)

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"After several years of constantly replacing blown pond lights Bernd evaluated our situation and made a couple of recommendations. Following his recommendation and with his assistance all of our lights were replaced. The pond now glows beautifully from dusk until about 3am. We couldn't be more pleased."
Additional Photos
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+20

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Friend Landscaping
Friend Landscaping
4.8(
59
)

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We moved into our new construction home in 2007. On June 30, 2018 there was torrential rain in the Des Moines metro, causing a lot of local flooding and flooded basements. This was the first of 3 occasions that summer when a small amount water worked its way up through a concrete seam in our basement floor. We contacted several local wet basement outfits to see what could be done to correct the problem. The general consensus from the majority of them was that we had more of a landscaping problem than a wet basement problem. One outfit even went as far as to say, "Take care of your landscaping and if that doesn't correct the problem, than call me". After a lot of research into Des Moines area landscapers, we chose Friend Landscaping for this project. They built up the grade around our house, installed underground gutters, built two small retaining walls and installed a French drain across the back of the house; all to force rain water away from the foundation of the house. In addition, they replaced all of the old landscaping with a clean, attractive layout and long-lasting materials. We've had several heavy downpours since the work was done in September 2018 and it is clear that the landscaping is working as designed and the water issue in our basement has not reoccurred. We highly recommend Friend Landscaping for anyone who has drainage issues around their house and would definitely hire him for future jobs. Bill kept us informed of the project time-line; and he and his crew always kept the jobsite clean and safe while the work was in progress."
Additional Photos
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+81

Recommended by98%of homeowners
Avatar for Prime Surface Solutions
Prime Surface Solutions
5.0(
9
)

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I recently hired Prime Surface Solutions for a major home update, and I can't say enough about the outstanding work they did! Jett and his team tackled tile repair, tile grout repair, new countertops, and a complete shower installation with incredible skill and professionalism. The tile repair was flawless-cracked tiles in our bathroom and kitchen were replaced seamlessly, blending perfectly with the existing ones. The grout repair was equally impressive; they restored crumbling grout lines to look brand new, using high-quality materials that have held up beautifully. Our new countertops are a game-changer-gorgeous, durable, and installed with precision that transformed our kitchen's look and feel. The new shower installation was the highlight: they designed and built a modern, spacious shower that's both functional and stunning, with every detail (from tiling to fixtures)executed perfectly. Jett was communicative, punctual, and ensured everything was completed on time. GOOD JOB"
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Bathtub/ Shower Projects

+45

Response time1 day
Avatar for MTD
MTD
4.5(
8
)

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Matt was great! He helped me figure out what was going on with my HVAC and thermostat. Got the parts needed and got it fixed then even followed up to make sure all was good. I plan on using him again to install some outlets in my house. 10/10 would reccomend."
Trim work on exterior of house
Handyman Services Project
Tear out old bathtub and installed a new stand up
Trim work on exterior of house
Handyman Services Project

+30

Recommended by100%of homeowners
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FAQs for sod installation projects in Des Moines, IA

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.

The Des Moines, IA homeowners’ guide to sod installations

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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