Sod installation cost per square foot
| Grass type | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cool-season grass (bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) | $0.90–$2.65 | Fixr is the lowest of the sources, so this range is wide |
| Warm-season grass (Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia) | $1.35–$2.85 | Costs more per square foot in the guides that separate the two |
These are installed prices per square foot, with sod and labor together, on soil that is already prepared. The labor share is adjusted for your state. Removing an old lawn and leveling are separate lines in the calculator. Enter your lawn area to see the project total.
Why the sources differ
The guides we read disagree on the installed price, and the gap is larger than the difference between grass types. One guide prices sod and installation together at about half the price of another. We kept the ranges wide rather than pick one source, and the typical value sits between them. Grass type matters most through the sod itself: warm-season varieties cost more than cool-season ones, and the guides agree on that direction.
Extra costs to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Remove the old lawn | $1–$2 per sq ft | Replacing existing grass rather than starting on bare soil |
| Leveling or regrading | $1–$3 per sq ft | Uneven or sloped ground |
Soil testing, topsoil, delivery, tree or stump removal and a sprinkler system are priced by the guides we read but vary too much to fold into a single estimate, so ask for them as separate lines. Yard obstacles such as trees and beds can add labor.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price per square foot for sod and installation together?
- Does it include removing the old lawn and preparing the soil?
- Which grass variety is it, and is it suited to your climate?
- How soon after delivery is the sod laid, and what watering plan comes with it?
- Is there a charge for delivery or for working around obstacles?
Methodology and sources
We price each grass group as an installed price per square foot, adjust the labor share for your state's construction wages, and price lawn removal and leveling separately. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeAdvisor: install sod — all-in price by grass type, grading
- Angi: sod installation cost — grass types, lawn removal, leveling
- LawnLove: sod cost — installed price, labor per square foot
- Fixr: sod installation cost — combined price, labor, removal, reslope
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2061, Construction Laborers) — state labor index, a site-work proxy
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor |
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| LawnLove |
|
| Fixr |
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| Angi |
|
Common questions about sod installation costs
How much does sod installation cost?
A typical job (1,000 sq ft of cool-season sod) comes to about $1,800 nationally, within a range of $900 to $2,650. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
What is the sod installation cost per square foot?
Installed, cool-season sod (bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) runs about $0.90–$2.65 per square foot and warm-season sod (Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia) about $1.35–$2.85. For 1,000 sq ft, that is about $900–$2,650 and $1,350–$2,850.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 4 published cost pages from 4 publishers, last checked Oct 8, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 4 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.
- HomeAdvisor: Kentucky bluegrass $1.35-$2.40, fescue and ryegrass $1.35-$2.65 per sq ft all-in (updated Jun 2026)
- LawnLove: professional installation $1.70 to $2.60 per sq ft (updated Oct 2026)
- Fixr: sod and installation together $0.85 to $1.75 per sq ft (updated Jan 2025)
- Angi: Bermuda $1.35-$2.85, St. Augustine $1.35-$2.75 and zoysia $1.40-$2.85 per sq ft, labor and materials (updated Sep 2026)