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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."
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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

"My basement got flooded couple of years ago due to heavy rains over july 4th weekend. It’s due to my home seller’s poor landscaping work. Bill worked on this project in April 2020, and fixed this grading issue around my window well. He also did a really nice landscaping work around it, installed drain tail, catch basins, grounded gutters, and adjusted grading to improve drainage, reseeded the area. Bill and his crew is very professional and they finished the project couple of days early. He kept us in the loop throughout the project, answered lot of questions and made this expensive project less stressful. I been wanting to see how his grading project is going to work during heavy rains. Finally yesterday evening we got some heavy rains in Ankeny and I could able see the project in action. My sump pump hardly ran during the rain. I didn’t see any rain water coming into my window well. Water was nicely flowed into the drain tail and towards street. I am happy and satisfied with Bill’s work. Bill and his crew is very thorough, professional and I would highly recommend them."
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+81

Recommended by98%of homeowners
Avatar for ROOSTER DRYWALL LLC
ROOSTER DRYWALL LLC
4.7(
33
)

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Rooster came out to fix the drywall in my home, upon inspection he discovered that I needed more help in other areas. I gave him my budget, then he let me know what he could do for that amount. He installed the floor I had purchased in record time, and it looks beautiful!!"
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+133

Recommended by93%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
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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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