Professional sod installation costs $1–$2 per sq. ft. for a new lawn on prepared soil, or $1.50–$4 per sq. ft. if the old lawn has to be removed first. Most homeowners pay $1,080–$3,100, with an average of about $2,100 for a typical 1,000–1,500 sq. ft. lawn (Angi, HomeGuide and LawnStarter data, as of October 2026).
Updated October 8, 2026. Source: Angi + 3 more. National US estimates.
Sod gives you a finished lawn in a day instead of waiting a season for seed to fill in. It's the usual choice for new construction, bare patches after a renovation, or replacing a lawn that's more weeds than grass.
Below are installed prices per square foot and by yard size, the cost of each grass type, a line-item budget and ways to save. For the wider yard project, see our landscaping cost guide.
Average cost
Installed sod prices, labor and materials included, national averages as of October 2026:
| Scenario | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small area, 500 sq. ft. on bare, leveled soil | $500–$1,300 | Patch or side yard; minimum charges apply |
| Typical lawn, 1,000–1,500 sq. ft. | $1,080–$3,100 | Average about $2,100 (Angi) |
| Resod 1,000–1,500 sq. ft. (remove old lawn first) | $1,500–$6,000 | Removal adds $0.50–$2 per sq. ft. |
| Large lawn, 1/4 acre | $10,900–$27,300 | New lawn; resodding can run $21,800 or more |
Sod cost by grass type
Sod-only prices per sq. ft. (HomeGuide) and installed prices per sq. ft. (Angi), October 2026:
| Grass type | Sod only | Installed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahia | $0.20–$0.40 | $1.20–$2.40 | Warm, sandy Southern soils |
| Kentucky bluegrass | $0.30–$0.55 | $1.35–$2.40 | Cool Northern climates |
| Fescue | $0.35–$0.70 | $1.35–$2.65 | Cool and transition zones, some shade |
| Ryegrass | $0.40–$0.85 | $1.35–$2.65 | Cool climates, quick establishment |
| St. Augustine | $0.30–$0.80 | $1.35–$2.75 | Hot, humid areas; tolerates shade |
| Bermuda | $0.30–$0.85 | $1.35–$2.85 | Full sun, heavy traffic |
| Zoysia | $0.28–$0.80 | $1.40–$2.85 | Dense, warm-season lawns |
| Centipede | $0.35–$0.90 | $1.75–$2.85 | Low-maintenance Southern lawns |
Sod installation cost by yard size
| Lawn size | New lawn | Resod existing yard |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq. ft. | $500–$1,300 | $1,000–$2,300 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $1,000–$2,500 | $2,000–$4,500 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $2,000–$5,000 | $4,000–$9,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $3,000–$7,500 | $6,000–$13,500 |
| 5,000 sq. ft. | $5,000–$12,500 | $10,000–$22,500 |
Cost breakdown: materials, labor, permits and extras
Line-item estimate for sodding a 1,200 sq. ft. lawn on bare, roughly graded soil with mid-priced grass. Ranges are national, as of October 8, 2026.
| Cost item | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Sod (materials) | $400–$1,000 | About 3 pallets at $0.30–$0.80 per sq. ft., plus 5%–10% extra for waste |
| Labor | $600–$1,200 | $0.50–$1 per sq. ft. to prepare, lay and roll the sod |
| Soil prep and amendments | $100–$400 | Tilling, topsoil or compost, starter fertilizer, soil test |
| Delivery | $65–$230 | Per truckload; sometimes included in the quote |
| Contingency (about 10%) | $100–$300 | Low spots, extra topsoil, access problems |
| Estimated total | $1,250–$3,150 | Before any discounts or rebates |
Sod and labor make up most of the bill; removing an old lawn is the biggest add-on and can double the total.
What affects the price
- Area. Price scales with area, at about $1–$2 per sq. ft. installed. Labor per square foot often drops a little on lawns over 1,000 sq. ft., while small jobs hit minimum charges.
- Grass type. Sod alone runs about $0.20–$0.90 per sq. ft. Bahia and Kentucky bluegrass are among the cheapest; Zoysia, Bermuda and Centipede sit at the top of the range.
- Soil preparation. Tilling, leveling and adding topsoil or compost improve how well the sod roots. Regrading costs about $0.40–$2 per sq. ft., and topsoil about $10–$55 per cubic yard.
- Delivery. Sod is perishable and heavy, so suppliers charge about $65–$230 per truckload. Ask whether delivery is in the installer's price.
- Removal of the old lawn. Stripping and hauling away an existing lawn adds $0.50–$2 per sq. ft., which is why resodding costs $1.50–$4 per sq. ft. in total.
- DIY or professional installation. DIY with pallets at $150–$450 each can save up to about half the cost, but you'll do the heavy prep and must lay the sod the day it arrives. LawnStarter puts DIY at about $730–$1,350 for 1,000 sq. ft. versus $1,000–$2,200 for a pro.
Ways to save
- Remove the old grass and weeds yourself, or kill the lawn ahead of time, to avoid $0.50–$2 per sq. ft. in removal charges.
- Choose a lower-cost grass that suits your climate, such as Bahia in the South or Kentucky bluegrass in the North.
- Order full pallets and measure carefully; bulk orders can lower the per-square-foot price, and 5%–10% overage is enough for waste.
- Schedule in mild weather. HomeGuide notes labor can rise 10%–15% when temperatures exceed 95°F, and spring or early fall gives sod the best start.
- Fix irrigation first. If you also need sprinklers, install them before the sod so you don't pay to cut and patch the new lawn; see our sprinkler system cost guide.
Related questions people ask
What is the cost of sod installation per square foot?
The cost of sod installation is about $1–$2 per sq. ft. for a new lawn on prepared soil, and $1.50–$4 per sq. ft. when the old lawn is removed first. For 1,000–1,500 sq. ft., that works out to about $1,080–$3,100 in most cases.
How to get an accurate quote
Get at least three written quotes from local landscapers or sod installers, and give each the same details:
- The lawn area in square feet (measure length × width of each section) and a few photos.
- Whether the area is bare soil or has an existing lawn to strip, plus any slopes, low spots or tight access.
- Your preferred grass type, or ask which variety suits your sun, shade and climate.
- Ask what is included: soil prep, topsoil, starter fertilizer, delivery, debris removal and any warranty on the sod rooting.
FAQ
How much does a pallet of sod cost?
A pallet usually costs $130–$450 and covers about 400–500 sq. ft., depending on grass type. Installed, a pallet's worth of sod runs about $400–$1,000 without old-lawn removal.
Is sod more expensive than seed?
Yes. Overseeding or seeding costs roughly $0.04–$0.19 per sq. ft., while sod costs $1–$2 installed. You pay more for an instant, erosion-resistant lawn that you can use within a few weeks.
When is the best time to install sod?
Spring and early fall are ideal for most regions because temperatures are mild and the sod roots quickly. Warm-season grasses do well from late spring through summer if you can water often.
More Lawn & Garden costs
Sources
- Angi — How Much Does Sod Installation Cost? [2026 Data] (updated Sep 8, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- HomeGuide — How Much Does Sod Installation Cost? (2026) (Oct 31, 2025). Checked October 8, 2026.
- LawnStarter — How Much Does Sod Cost in 2026? (updated Oct 5, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- Lawn Love — How Much Does Landscaping Cost in 2026? (seeding prices) (updated Apr 21, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
Prices are estimates and vary by location and provider. See our methodology and editorial policy. Browse all yard & pests cost guides.