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Find Sod installers in San Rafael

Sampson's Landscaping, Inc.
5.0(
7
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I'm a very active Gardener by hobby and have been for 45 years. Because of the drought, I had to shut off the water to our front lawn and big hillside in May of 2022. As expected, the lawn died and 147 the native shrubs I planted on the hillside in 1993, started dying from old age and also from the loss of water. The front yard is fairly large and the hillside is 140 feet long and 15' t.o 25' high from the public sidewalk. These shrubs became a huge wildfire hazard as were the four very large Hollywood juniper next to the house and two very large Italian cypress next to the driveway. The very large olive tree in the center of our front yard was starting to look terrible because of the loss of water and was an main allergy agent for us. I had all of this removed. Seven trees and 147 shrubs from the hillside. The end result was a moonscape appearance for nearly a year. We hired Sampson Landscaping to landscape, hardscape, install lightning and drip irrigation to this large blank canvas. It's done and looks amazing as all our immediate neighbors and passerbys have told us and keep telling us. We are very, very pleased with the job that Sampson did for us. We removed 7 trees but got 6 new ones to replace them. The estimated timeliness was 3 weeks from start to finish and was started ontime and completed in 2 weeks and 2.5 days. We made several design choice changes that added to to the total cost but the job remained on budget in lieu of those changes. We Stronly recommend Sampson Landscaping."
Response time9 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Noe’s Gardens
Noe’s Gardens
4.3(
6
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Specializing in landscaping! We guarantee your satisfaction and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule a free estimate today!

Additional Photos
Response time2 days
6 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Green Magic Landscaping
Green Magic Landscaping
5.0(
3
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We specialize in all phases of landscaping design and installs, hardscaping, pavers, trees, plants, flowers, and more! We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won?t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out all the services we offer below and call -or- click to schedule a free estimate today!

Response time2 hrs
8 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by66%of homeowners
Avatar for Asvi's Gardening
Asvi's Gardening
New to Angi

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

with our 6 years experience is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.

16 neighbors recently requested a quote
Earthwise Industries
4.9(
22
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"James and his crew did a fantastic job designing and installing my backyard 2 years ago. I knew when it was time to do my front yard this year, I wanted James to do that as well. He listened to my ideas (make my yard look like Ohio in the Fall), good drainage, drought tolerant plants, attract hummingbirds, while sticking with my color selection, installing a split rail fence, I love my yard! I have had neighbors I don't know, from a block away, stop when driving by and I'm in my yard, and tell me how great it looks and they enjoyed watching the progress. His crew showed up when they said they would and each day of work, they cleaned up so the driveway was spotless. If I had another yard, I'd hire Earthwise Industries in a second! Even though the work is completed, as I've had questions come up about plant care, I reach out to James and he is quick to respond with instructions on what to do. I'm thrilled that a friend suggested I hire James a couple years ago, and I'm happy to always share my positive experience and results with others in hope that they do the same."
Response time4 days
Recommended by95%of homeowners
Avatar for Babylon Builders - Home & Landscape Contractor
Babylon Builders - Home & Landscape Contractor
4.2(
421
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1985

Free estimates

"Babylon Gardens has been a fantastic company for our large backyard project and we're very pleased with what they accomplished in the last couple months. Professional, responsive and high quality work. Definitely recommend them to others and I'll use them again in the future. The owner Ron is a pleasure to deal with and their field lead Juan is awesome."
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+27

Recommended by86%of homeowners
Avatar for Pro Movers
Pro Movers
5.0(
27
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"This is the second time I used this company. And both times by stuff was moved carefully and quickly. I recommend this company to my and my sister use their service and she had nothing but good things to say."
Moving Companies Project
Moving Companies Project
Moving Companies Project
Moving Companies Project
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+104

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for GoodFellas Construction – Bay Area
GoodFellas Construction – Bay Area
4.2(
184
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1994

Free estimates

"I worked with The Good Fellas Company and I am really pleased. Recently I decided to renovate the
bedroom and the bathroom and looked for a quality contractor who will be
competitive and offer fair prices. When I called the Good fellas company I
discovered how much they are polite and patient. After the meeting with a nice
guy named Avi ? the team came to our house and renovated our house just like in
the movies! He was a high-quality and punctual. I already I have recommended them
to my family and friends!"
Additional Photos
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+113

Recommended by85%of homeowners
Felix Landscape
4.8(
15
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2002

Free estimates

"Emilio and his team at Felix Landscape are great! We had a new 72ft. (level ground + hillside) fence built and also had replaced a rotted gate post on another fence. Extremely fast to respond to my request. Competitively priced for the project scale and specific challenges. Great quality, always prompt (from initial estimate /evaluation to project completion), and very easy to work with. Bottom line, he just gets it! -J"
Landscape Projects
Landscape Projects
Synthetic grass
Redwood Fence
Response time2 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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FAQs for sod installation projects in San Rafael, CA

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 San Rafael, CA 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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