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View all 5 tools →Sod Installation Cost Calculator
Estimate installed sod cost by grass type, with material and labor shown separately. Add old-lawn removal or regrading only if your job needs them.
Project Details
1. Lawn area to sod
2. Grass type
The most budget-friendly common sod. Thrives in full sun, handles heat and traffic well.
3. Site prep
Sod installation is one of the few landscaping jobs where material and labor are both separately priced, so this calculator splits them out instead of giving one blended number. Pick a grass type, measure the area, and add old-lawn removal or regrading only if your yard actually needs them, since those add-ons roughly double the total for jobs that need them and should not be baked into every estimate by default.
Reviewed by Usama, Civil EngineerHow we source our numbers
How it works
- Measure the area getting new sod as a rectangle, circle, ring, triangle or trapezoid, or enter the square footage directly.
- Pick a grass type. Material cost per square foot varies by species, from budget Bermuda to pricier Zoysia.
- Check off site prep only if it applies. Removing an existing lawn or regrading the site are separate line items, not something every job needs.
Sod material cost by grass type, per square foot
| Grass type | Material cost per sq ft | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | $0.35 – $0.60 | The most budget-friendly common sod. Thrives in full sun, handles heat and traffic well. |
| Centipede | $0.30 – $0.55 | Low-maintenance warm-season grass, usually the cheapest sod in the Southeast. Slow-growing, does not tolerate heavy traffic. |
| Fescue / cool-season blend | $0.40 – $0.70 | Cool-season lawn, stays green through mild winters, needs more water in summer heat. |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $0.45 – $0.75 | The most common cool-season sod in the North. Self-repairs well but needs more water and cold tolerance than Fescue. |
| St. Augustine | $0.50 – $0.85 | Shade-tolerant, common in the Gulf South, priced above Bermuda for the same area. |
| Zoysia | $0.55 – $0.85 | Dense, traffic-tolerant, slow to establish. Usually the most expensive common sod. |
Why material and labor are shown separately
Most installed-cost guides for landscaping services blend everything into one per-square-foot rate. Sod is one of the few jobs where that split is actually sourceable: the sod itself is a commodity priced by the grass grower, while labor to lay it is priced by the installer, and the two move independently. A DIY installer buying sod and laying it themselves skips the labor line entirely; this calculator keeps that option visible rather than hiding it inside one number.
Why grass type changes the price
Bermuda is the most widely grown, most affordable common sod, while Zoysia is slower to establish and typically the most expensive. The material cost difference between the cheapest and priciest common grass types can run 50 percent or more for the same square footage, which is why this calculator prices by grass type instead of one flat average.
When site prep actually applies
Laying sod over bare, graded dirt needs no prep add-on beyond the base install. Replacing an existing lawn adds a removal step first, and a yard with drainage problems or an uneven grade needs regrading before sod goes down, since sod laid over low spots or an uneven surface will not knit down evenly. Both are priced as separate line items here rather than folded into every estimate, since most new-construction and bare-dirt jobs need neither.
What this estimate does not include
This is a material-and-labor installed-cost estimate for the sod itself. It does not include irrigation system work, a soil test or amendment, or ongoing lawn care after installation. Get a local quote for an exact number: soil condition, slope, site access and regional labor rates all move the real price.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
How much does sod installation cost?
Roughly $0.70 to $1.65 per square foot installed, combining material ($0.35 to $0.85 depending on grass type) and labor ($0.35 to $0.80). A 2,000 sq ft lawn runs about $1,400 to $3,300 before any site prep. The calculator above breaks material and labor into separate line items rather than one blended number.
How much does sod cost per square foot?
Material alone runs $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot depending on grass type: Bermuda at the low end, Zoysia and St. Augustine at the high end. Add $0.35 to $0.80 per square foot for professional installation labor on top of that.
How much is a pallet of sod?
A pallet typically covers 450 to 500 square feet, so at $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot in material, a full pallet runs roughly $160 to $425 before labor or delivery. Exact pallet coverage varies by grower, since sod is cut in rolls or slabs sized by each farm's equipment.
How much does it cost to lay sod myself?
Buying sod yourself and laying it without a crew skips the labor line entirely, leaving just the material cost of $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot plus any tools or soil prep you handle yourself. The calculator above lets you see the material-only figure by comparing it against the full installed total.
Does removing an old lawn cost extra?
Yes, and it is priced separately from the sod install itself, not bundled into the per-square-foot rate; check the site prep option in the calculator above to add it only when it applies. Removing an existing lawn before laying new sod is a distinct job.
Why does grass type change the installation cost?
The sod itself is priced by the grower, and species vary in how fast they grow, how they are harvested and regional demand. Bermuda is typically the most affordable common sod; Zoysia and St. Augustine usually cost more for the same square footage. Labor cost to lay it stays roughly the same across grass types, since installation time does not change much by species.
Is sod cheaper than seeding a lawn?
No, sod costs considerably more upfront than grass seed, since you are paying for grass that has already been grown and cut. Seed is far cheaper per square foot but takes weeks to establish and needs consistent watering during germination, while sod gives an instant, usable lawn. See the Grass Seed Calculator for seeding costs to compare.
How much does it cost to sod a 2,000 square foot yard?
Around $1,400 to $3,300 installed, before any site prep, using the $0.70 to $1.65 per square foot installed range. Enter your exact square footage in the calculator above for a number specific to your grass type and site.
What is included in a sod installation quote?
This estimate covers material and standard installation labor only. It does not include irrigation system work, a soil test or amendment, or ongoing lawn care after installation. Get a local quote for an exact number, since soil condition, slope, site access and regional labor rates all move the real price.
How big is a piece of sod?
Individual rolls or slabs commonly run 9 to 10.7 square feet depending on the farm's cutting equipment, with a 2 ft by 5 ft, 10 sq ft roll the most common single size. See the Sod Calculator for exact roll and pallet counts for your project.