WheelbarrowMath

Sod Installation Cost Calculator

Estimate what new sod costs to lay yourself or have installed, including delivery, removal, and soil prep.

Lawn area
  1. Area 1
    ft
    ft

For an odd shape, split it into rectangles, circles, and triangles; they're added together.

Sod comes as
sq ft

A pallet usually holds 400–500 sq ft, or up to 700 with large rolls. Check with your sod farm.A pallet usually holds 37–46 m², or up to 65 with large rolls. Check with your sod farm.

%

Order 5–10% extra for curves, edges, and mistakes.

Prices (typical US prices; edit for your area)
/sq ft

Typically $0.30–$0.80 a sq ft, depending on the grass.Typically $3.20–$8.60 a m², depending on the grass.

Typically $50–$250 a load.

/sq ft

Typically $0.50–$1.00 a sq ft.Typically $5.40–$10.80 a m².

/sq ft

It's $0.50–$2.00 a sq ft if the old grass has to go. Enter 0 for bare ground.It's $5.40–$21.50 a m² if the old grass has to go. Enter 0 for bare ground.

/sq ft

Typically $0.40–$2.00 a sq ft.Typically $4.30–$21.50 a m².

Your Results

Calculating …

What Sod Installation Costs

According to HomeGuide’s cost data, professionally installed sod runs about $1–$2 per square foot for a new lawn. Here’s where that money goes:

ItemTypical cost
Sod$0.30–$0.80 a sq ft
Delivery$50–$250 a load
Installation labor$0.50–$1.00 a sq ft
Old lawn removal$0.50–$2.00 a sq ft
Soil prep and grading$0.40–$2.00 a sq ft

Worked example. A 1,000 sq ft lawn on bare ground, at the calculator’s default prices:

Cost
Sod, 1,050 sq ft (5% extra) at $0.50$525
Delivery$100
DIY total$625
Soil prep and grading, 1,000 sq ft at $0.40$400
Installation labor, 1,000 sq ft at $0.75$750
Professionally installed$1,775 ($1.78 a sq ft)

Sod Prices by Grass Type

The grass is the biggest variable in the materials cost. HomeGuide’s price ranges per square foot:

GrassSod per sq ft
Bahia$0.20–$0.40
Kentucky bluegrass$0.30–$0.55
Fescue$0.35–$0.70
Centipede$0.35–$0.90
Bermuda$0.40–$0.85
Perennial ryegrass$0.40–$0.85
St. Augustine$0.45–$0.90
Bentgrass$0.50–$0.70
Zoysia$0.70–$1.30

Pick a grass suited to your climate and how much sun the lawn gets; your local extension office or sod farm can tell you what does well in your area.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Laying sod is simple work, but it’s heavy and time-sensitive: sod should go down the day it’s delivered. Many people split the job, preparing the soil themselves and having the farm deliver and lay the sod, or the other way around.

Whoever does the work, don’t skip soil prep. University of Nebraska–Lincoln turf specialists recommend at least 4 in of topsoil worked 4–6 in deep. The sod calculator gives you exact pallet and roll counts to order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Sod Installation Cost per Square Foot?

HomeGuide puts professionally installed sod at about $1–$2 a sq ft for a new lawn, and $1.50–$4 when the old lawn has to be removed first.

How Much Does a Pallet of Sod Cost?

A pallet typically costs $130–$360 for the sod alone, depending on the grass. Zoysia and St. Augustine are at the high end; Bahia and Kentucky bluegrass are at the low end.

Is It Cheaper to Lay Sod Yourself?

Labor is typically $0.50–$1.00 a sq ft, so doing it yourself saves about half of an installed price. Sod is heavy and has to go down the day it arrives, so line up help.

What Adds to the Cost of Sod Installation?

The main cost drivers are removing the old lawn ($0.50–$2.00 a sq ft), soil prep and grading ($0.40–$2.00 a sq ft), long delivery distances, steep or hard-to-reach yards, and premium grass varieties.

Sources

Prices are national ballparks checked October 2026. Local prices vary.