Professionally installed sod usually costs $1.70 to $2.60 per sq ft, or about $3,400 to $5,200 for a 2,000 sq ft lawn. The sod itself runs about $0.20 to $1.05 per sq ft depending on the grass, and a pallet costs $110 to $375 and covers about 400 to 500 sq ft. Laying it yourself, a 1,000 sq ft lawn comes to roughly $800 with topsoil and delivery.
Count your pallets first. The free sod calculator works out pallets, extra slabs or rolls, topsoil, and fertilizer for your yard, so you do not pay for a whole extra pallet you do not need.
Sod cost by lawn size
| Lawn size | Installed (labor and materials) | Pallets needed (450 sq ft each, 5% extra) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $850 to $1,300 | About 1.2 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,700 to $2,600 | About 2.3 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $3,400 to $5,200 | About 4.7 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $5,100 to $7,800 | About 7 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $8,500 to $13,000 | About 11.7 |
Pallet sizes vary by farm, from about 400 to 500 sq ft. Ask your supplier, then enter their size in the sod calculator.
Sod prices by grass type
| Grass | Sod only, per sq ft | Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Bahiagrass | $0.20 to $0.37 | Warm season |
| Kentucky bluegrass | $0.30 to $0.57 | Cool season |
| Tall fescue | $0.35 to $0.70 | Cool season, transition zone |
| Perennial ryegrass | $0.35 to $0.73 | Cool season |
| Bermudagrass | $0.43 to $0.85 | Warm season |
| St. Augustinegrass | $0.45 to $0.90 | Warm season |
| Centipedegrass | $0.60 to $0.87 | Warm season |
| Zoysiagrass | $0.60 to $1.05 | Warm season, transition zone |
What else you pay for
- Labor: about $0.35 to $0.80 per sq ft.
- Delivery: about $55 to $180, sometimes free on large orders.
- Old lawn removal: killing or cutting out the existing turf. A sod cutter rental makes this much faster.
- Soil prep: grading, tilling, and an inch or so of topsoil or compost so the roots can take.
- Starter fertilizer and watering: new sod needs daily water for the first couple of weeks.
DIY sod cost: materials only
Here is what the sod calculator lists with 5% extra, 1 in of topsoil, and starter fertilizer:
| Lawn | Sod | Topsoil | Materials total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (40 x 25) | 2 pallets + 57 slabs | 3.5 cu yd | About $810 |
| 2,000 sq ft (50 x 40) | 4 pallets + 113 slabs | 6.5 cu yd | About $1,490 |
Prices assume $225 per pallet, $1.75 per loose slab, and $75 delivery. Topping off with loose slabs instead of a third pallet saves about $125 on the 1,000 sq ft lawn. Add tool rental (sod cutter, tiller, lawn roller) if you need it.
Sod vs seed
- Sod gives you a finished lawn in a day and controls erosion right away, but costs several times more.
- Seed is far cheaper but takes a season or more to fill in and needs weeding and steady watering.
- Many homeowners sod the front yard and seed the back.
How to save money
- Measure carefully and buy loose slabs or rolls to top off, rather than a full extra pallet.
- Do the removal and soil prep yourself, then lay the sod the day it arrives.
- Pick up from the sod farm if you have a truck or trailer that can carry the weight (a pallet can weigh 2,000 lb or more).
- Lay sod in spring or fall for cool-season grass, and late spring to summer for warm-season grass, so it roots fast.
FAQ
How much is a pallet of sod?
Usually $110 to $375, depending on the grass and region. Most pallets cover 400 to 500 sq ft.
How much does it cost to sod 1,000 sq ft?
About $1,700 to $2,600 installed, or roughly $800 in sod, topsoil, and delivery to do it yourself.
How many pallets of sod do I need?
Divide your square footage by the pallet size and add about 5% for cuts. A 2,000 sq ft lawn with 450 sq ft pallets needs about 4.7 pallets. Use the sod calculator for odd shapes.
How soon can I walk on new sod?
Keep foot traffic light for the first 2 to 3 weeks, until the roots grab and you cannot lift a corner.