How Much Are Sod Prices?
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Laying new sod helps improve the curb appeal of a property for a price of $150 to $450 per pallet, or $300 on average. Understanding the factors affecting sod prices can help homeowners know what to expect.
Highlights
- The typical range for sod prices is $150 to $450 per pallet, with most homeowners paying a national average of $300 per pallet.
- The main cost factors for sod prices include measurement type, sod type, sod grade, topsoil, cost differences in warm-season versus cool-season grass, and climate and geographic location.
- Installing sod provides an instantly attractive lawn, increases curb appeal, controls weed growth, and reduces soil erosion.
- Installing sod is not a one-person job, so unless homeowners have friends and family who are willing to help, it’s worth leaving this job to the pros. Professional sod installation services will also be able to ensure that the sod is installed properly and looks its best.
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When it’s time to consider the cost of a new lawn, homeowners generally have two options: seeding grass or laying new sod. While hydroseeding costs less on average, it’s a much longer process that can take up to 2 years for a thick, lush lawn to fully flourish. For a quick and effective method to instantly increase curb appeal, laying new sod is an attractive choice for most homeowners.
Sod prices can vary due to regional differences, the type of grass, and the amount of sod that needs to be laid. Sod can be sold by the pallet, per square foot, per square yard, or by the roll. According to HomeAdvisor, sod prices per pallet range from $150 to $450, with an average cost of $300, not including installation. Though laying sod over a large lawn can seem like a daunting task, enjoying healthy, green grass within a matter of days may be worth the cost and effort to boost the appearance and value of a property.
How to Calculate Sod Prices
Sod prices are based on a number of factors that include the unit of measure (roll, square foot, pallet, and more), the variety of grass, installation costs, delivery price, and regional location. Purchasing sod for 1/5 of an acre costs on average between $3,025 and $8,025. The average cost to install grass sod is $2,000. Choosing to install sod on their own may require homeowners to use additional equipment such as a sod cutter to remove old grass, compost/fertilizer, a tamping roller, topsoil, and more. These items are included during a professional installation, which means the flat rate may be cheaper than the cost of a DIY installation. The price of one pallet of the most popular kinds of sod grass ranges from $150 to $450.
How to Estimate Sod Quantity
After homeowners have learned how to calculate sod prices for purchasing and installing new sod, it’s time to figure out how to calculate sod quantity. The final price will vary based on the type of sod, but these calculations can help determine the overall sod quantity needed. Homeowners can follow the steps below to determine how much sod they need for their project.
- Draw a diagram of the area that will require new sod. It’s okay if it’s not a perfect square or rectangle; simply draw the triangle-shaped areas too.
- Measure the lengths and widths by foot of each side of the area to be sodded, and make a note of them on the diagram.
- Any rectangle or square area can be multiplied length times width, and any triangular areas can be multiplied base times height, then divided by two. For example, a lawn that measures 20 feet by 20 feet would be 400 square feet.
- Add the results of all calculations to determine the entire area’s square feet; then add an additional 10 percent to ensure adequate sod is ordered for the entire space. This is important especially during peak seasons, when a nearby sod supplier may be back-ordered for several weeks.
- If purchasing new sod by the square foot, multiply the total square feet by the square foot sod price like so: 2,383 x 0.55 = $1,310.65.
- If purchasing by the pallet, ask the supplier how many pieces come on a pallet, and divide the total square feet by the number of square feet provided on each pallet to know how many pallets will be needed.
- If purchasing by the square yard, divide the number of square feet by 9; then calculate the new total by the square yards provided on each pallet.
Factors in Calculating Sod Prices
Determining the cost of sod for sale in a particular area is typically an easy process. Geographic location and climate are the first factors to ensure the purchase of the right kind of grass for a region, which will in turn determine the cost. Some varieties of grass are priced differently due to their hardiness to survive well in cool temperatures and others in warm temperatures.
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Measurement Unit
Sod prices per square foot are typically in the range of $0.35 to $0.85. It’s also common for sod to be sold in 450-square-foot pallets. A pallet of sod price usually falls between $150 and $450. Less commonly, sod can come in rolls that cover about 10 square feet apiece and cost $3 to $8. It’s worth noting that roll sizes are not always consistent across retailers. Other options include per square yard, acre, ½ acre, and ¼ acre.
Sod Type
Most lawn sod is sold by the pallet or square foot. Homeowners can expect to pay around $150 to $450 per pallet. Some grass varieties may not be available in certain areas, but local distributors will have several varieties to choose from that work best for the climate.
- Bahia is a hearty, low-maintenance, warm-season grass that costs $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot.
- Bentgrass costs $0.50 to $0.70 per square foot and is highly resistant to disease and pests.
- Bermuda is a resilient and drought-resistant grass that costs between $0.35 and $0.85 per square foot.
- Centipede grass costs between $0.75 and $0.85 per square foot and can withstand both heat and drought; it also fares well in shade.
- Fescue is one of the most popular cool-season grasses and costs $0.35 to $0.65 per square foot.
- Kentucky bluegrass costs $0.35 to $0.40 per square foot and can thrive in shady, cool climates and winters well, but it will not survive heat and drought.
- Marathon grass is one of the toughest cool-season variety grasses and has a healthy, rich color. Marathon sod costs between $0.60 and $0.65 per square foot.
- Ryegrass costs about $0.35 to $0.65 per square foot and thrives in cool, rainy climates but will need extra attention to survive hot and dry conditions.
- St. Augustine can fend off pests and weeds and costs $0.35 to $0.75 per square foot on average.
- Super-Sod is a sod distributor that offers Bermuda, centipede, tall fescue, and zoysia for pickup and delivery.
- Zoysia is an invasive variety of grass that grows in cold conditions. It requires less frequent mowing than many other grass types and costs between $0.40 and $0.60 per square foot.
Sod Grade
Sod comes in three grades: economy (also called utility grade), mid-grade, and high-grade. The higher the sod grade, the better equipped it will be to integrate with the existing soil and fight off disease. The price per square foot for sod can vary depending on the sod grade. Economy-grade sod is the most affordable option at $0.20 to $0.30 per square foot but is also the least hearty. Mid-grade sod strikes a balance between relative affordability at $0.50 to $0.65 per square foot and relative low maintenance, with moderate resistance to disease. High-grade sod is the priciest but develops strong roots and requires very little maintenance. High-grade sod costs $0.70 to $0.80 per square foot.
| Sod Grade | Cost per Square Foot |
| Economy/utility | $0.20 to $0.30 |
| Mid-grade | $0.50 to $0.65 |
| High-grade | $0.70 to $0.80 |
Topsoil
Topsoil is not required for putting down sod, but if the current soil is unhealthy or lacking in nutrients it can be worthwhile to add fresh topsoil ahead of the sod installation. It costs about $12 to $55 per cubic yard to put down new topsoil. Otherwise, lawn aeration costs $140 on average and can also improve the health of the soil.
Warm-Season vs. Cool-Season Grasses
In most regions, laying sod is best done during spring or fall, when the temperatures are less extreme. Some sod varieties have a high tolerance for longer periods of cooler weather. These are called cool-season grasses. Others called warm-season grasses do well in warmer climates with long periods of hot weather. Transition-zone grasses grow in all regions and thrive in moderate climates.
Cool-season grasses:
- Fescue
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Ryegrass
Transition-zone grasses:
- Bermuda
- Fescue
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Ryegrass
- Zoysia
Warm-season grasses:
- Bermuda
- St. Augustine
- Zoysia
Geographic Location and Climate Zone
Some varieties of grass sod cannot be purchased locally if they aren’t well-suited for that region’s climate. Local suppliers will grow a variety of the best sod and often have a lower price point than Home Depot sod for large purchases. Purchasing sod directly from the grower will also help ensure the sod is fresh and healthy. Homeowners can look up “sod prices near me” online to get a sense of local pricing or to get quotes from local sod growers.
Sod prices can vary within the three growing regions across the country. There are three climate zones suitable for different grass varieties in the United States: cool, transition, and warm. The cool climate includes the mid- to upper-half of the country; the transition zone includes the top portion of the lower half of the country; the warm climate includes the lowest regions of the Southern states.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Delivery costs are another factor for sod prices for those who don’t own a truck or trailer to pick it up. Other considerations may include installing a sprinkler system, physically laying the sod, or removing old sod.
Delivery
Ordering sod from a local wholesaler can be more cost-effective for large purchases. In general, the cost to have sod delivered ranges between $90 and $350. For homeowners who have their own trucks or trailers, picking up the order is usually free. It may be most cost-effective to rent a truck for the day as this typically costs around $129 in total. Homeowners will want to have sod delivered or picked up when it’s ready to be installed, and not earlier, to avoid stressing the grass.
Labor
The labor costs to install sod with a professional landscaping company include all equipment and tools needed to prepare, install, and fertilize the new sod. On average, the labor cost to install sod is $0.15 to $0.60 per square foot. Prices will be on the higher end if the lawn is sloped, is difficult to access, or has an irregular shape. Costs can also depend on how much work the installers do compared to any DIY prep completed by the homeowner. For most projects, it takes contractors between 1 and 2 hours to install 500 square feet of sod.
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Old Sod Removal and Ground Preparation
If old sod needs to be removed first, a sod-cutter can be rented for approximately $70 to $100 per day. A professional company typically charges between $0.50 to $2 per square foot of grass that needs removal. The old soil would need to be tilled to provide a freshly aerated base for the new sod, or new topsoil can be laid and leveled. Adding compost to the soil layer can help boost the growth of new sod grass.
Sprinkler Installation
Installing a sprinkler system in dry climates is recommended before the last layer of soil is leveled and sod installed to avoid digging up and damaging the grass. A new sprinkler can cost anywhere from $1,700 to $3,500. Most homes need at least three to five sprinkler zones.
Sod Prices by Type of Sod
There are nearly a dozen common varieties of sod that are frequently installed in yards. Sod prices are determined by the region and the variety that’s available or best suited for that climate. Below are the most common types of sod for sale and their average costs.
| Type of Sod | Cost per Square Foot | Cost per Pallet |
| Bahia | $0.20 to $0.40 | $90 to $180 |
| Bentgrass | $0.50 to $0.70 | $25 to $315 |
| Bermuda | $0.35 to $0.85 | $160 to $385 |
| Centipede | $0.75 to $0.85 | $340 to $385 |
| Fescue | $0.35 to $0.65 | $160 to $295 |
| Kentucky bluegrass | $0.35 to $0.40 | $160 to $180 |
| Marathon | $0.60 to $0.65 | $270 to $295 |
| Ryegrass | $0.35 to $0.65 | $160 to $295 |
| St. Augustine | $0.35 to $0.75 | $160 to $340 |
| Super-Sod | Varies | Varies |
| Zoysia | $0.40 to $0.60 | $180 to $270 |
Bahia
The average cost of this grass is $90 to $180 per pallet or $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot. This is one of the least expensive types of sod and works well in warm climates. It’s tolerant of heavy foot traffic and lawn care mistakes like overwatering and resists soil erosion thanks to the strong root system.
Bentgrass
Bentgrass sod prices per pallet range from $225 to $315 on average in most cool-weather climates. This type of grass costs between $0.50 and $0.70 per square foot. Bentgrass can tolerate heavy foot traffic and resists pests and disease during cooler, wet months, but it requires extra care during warmer months.
Bermuda
Bermuda sod is a tough grass that can handle heavy foot traffic like you’d find at a sports field or park. Roots grow at least 2 feet deep, and seed heads sprout to propagate quickly if it’s not mowed frequently. The average cost per pallet is $160 to $385, and the cost per square foot is between $0.35 and $0.85.
Centipede
This warm-season variety can tolerate shady areas while growing a low, dense lawn. It can tolerate drought and heat, as well as sandy or acidic soils, but it doesn’t do as well with heavy foot traffic. The average cost per pallet is $340 to $385 from a hardware store and may be less from a local wholesaler. Homeowners paying by the square foot will pay between