Sod cost by lawn size and grass
Estimates from this calculator's default prices with the soil tilled and graded before the sod goes down. Your local prices will differ, so change the defaults above to match quotes or sod farm prices near you.
| Lawn | Bermuda | Tall fescue | St. Augustine | Zoysia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $1,250–$1,900 | $1,300–$1,950 | $1,400–$2,100 | $1,500–$2,200 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,950–$2,950 | $2,050–$3,050 | $2,150–$3,250 | $2,300–$3,450 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $3,400–$5,050 | $3,500–$5,250 | $3,700–$5,550 | $3,900–$5,900 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $7,800–$11,700 | $8,050–$12,100 | $8,600–$12,850 | $9,100–$13,650 |
How much does sod cost per square foot?
The sod itself is $0.45 per sq ft for Bermuda by default, $0.50 for tall fescue, $0.60 for St. Augustine and $0.70 for zoysia. Prices vary a lot by region and season, so check with a local sod farm and change the price above. Installed, Bermuda sod on a tilled and graded lawn comes to about $1.95–$2.95 per sq ft for 1,000 sq ft and $1.56–$2.34 for 5,000 sq ft with these defaults. The delivery fee and setup time are spread over more sod on bigger lawns.
How much does a pallet of sod cost?
A pallet typically holds 400–500 sq ft, depending on the farm and the slab size. At 450 sq ft, a pallet costs about $203 for Bermuda, $225 for tall fescue, $270 for St. Augustine and $315 for zoysia at these per-square-foot prices. Delivery is extra, $100 by default. Most farms sell whole pallets, so you'll usually have some left over.
Bermuda sod cost
Bermuda is one of the cheaper sods in this estimate. A 1,000 sq ft Bermuda lawn takes 3 pallets with 5% extra for cuts. Doing it yourself, the sod and delivery come to about $708. Hired out, it's about $1,950–$2,950 with these defaults, including about 19 worker hours to set up, prepare the soil, lay the sod and clean up.
How much does it cost to sod a yard?
It depends mostly on what's there now. Laying sod on soil that's already bare and level costs least: about $1,650–$2,450 for 1,000 sq ft of Bermuda here. Tilling, grading and adding 2 in of topsoil brings it to about $2,700–$4,000. Stripping an old lawn first adds more: about $2,900–$4,400 for the same lawn with topsoil.
What changes the price
- Grass type: zoysia and St. Augustine cost more than Bermuda or fescue at these defaults. Pick the grass that suits your climate and shade.
- Soil prep: bare, level soil is cheapest. Grading, topsoil and removing the old lawn can add three-quarters or more to the price.
- Access: pallets that can't be set near the lawn mean more carrying.
- Irrigation: new sod needs daily water for the first couple of weeks. Installing sprinklers is a separate job.
- Season: sod is easiest to establish in mild weather.
How this estimate works
Sod is figured the way our sod calculator does it: lawn area plus 5% for cuts, bought in whole pallets of 450 sq ft, with $100 delivery. Laying is 100 sq ft per worker hour, slower than the sod calculator's 150 to allow for cutting around beds and edges, plus 4 worker hours per job for setup, unloading and cleanup. Tilling and grading adds 0.5 worker hours per 100 sq ft. Topsoil is 2 in deep plus 10% for settling, at $40 per cubic yard plus $85 delivery, as our topsoil calculator figures it, and 0.75 hours per cubic yard to spread. Removing an old lawn is $0.30 per sq ft. The contractor's markup on materials is 20%, and labor is billed at $85 an hour, a rate that includes the contractor's overhead and profit. The range is the result minus 20% to plus 20%. Change any of these above. For comparison, Homewyse puts the national cost to install sod at $2.12–$3.54 per sq ft (May 2026); our default 1,000 sq ft Bermuda lawn with tilling and grading comes to about $2.46 per sq ft at the middle of its range.
Getting quotes
Get at least three quotes for the same grass, area and soil prep. Ask whether they'll remove the old lawn, how they grade, whether they roll the sod and whether watering instructions or a warranty come with it. If a quote is far below this estimate, ask what prep is included.
Questions
How much does it cost to lay 1,000 sq ft of sod?
With this calculator's defaults, 1,000 sq ft of Bermuda sod on a tilled and graded lawn comes to about $1,950–$2,950 installed. Zoysia is about $2,300–$3,450. Local sod prices vary, so change the defaults to match.
How much is a pallet of sod?
At 450 sq ft per pallet, about $203 for Bermuda, $225 for tall fescue, $270 for St. Augustine and $315 for zoysia at these per-square-foot prices, plus delivery.
Is it cheaper to lay sod yourself?
Yes. For 1,000 sq ft of Bermuda, the sod and delivery are about $708 here, against $1,950–$2,950 installed. Sod is heavy, though, and has to be laid the day it arrives.
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
Typically 400–500 sq ft, depending on the farm and slab size. Ask your supplier and enter it above.