The decision to use turf, commonly known as sod, is often driven by the desire for an immediate, mature lawn without the waiting period required for seeding. Sod consists of strips of living grass and a thin layer of soil, which is grown on specialized farms and harvested for installation. This solution instantly transforms a barren or damaged area into a lush landscape, providing an immediate aesthetic benefit. While the results are fast, the cost of the project is the primary consideration for most homeowners. Understanding the financial components involved is necessary for establishing a realistic budget.
Calculating the Area to Turf
Accurately determining the area is the necessary first step, as the entire project budget is dependent on this measurement. For simple square or rectangular sections, you can find the total square footage by multiplying the length by the width of the space. Areas that are irregularly shaped, such as those with curves or non-parallel sides, should be mentally divided into smaller, recognizable geometric shapes, like multiple rectangles or triangles, to calculate their individual areas before adding them together.
The industry standard for ordering turf uses the square foot as the unit of sale, though materials are often bundled and sold by the pallet. To account for the necessary cuts around obstacles, edges, and curved landscaping features, you must always add a waste factor to your total calculated area. A standard project generally requires adding 5 to 10% more material to the final measurement to ensure you have enough sod to complete the installation without a last-minute reorder.
Material Costs for Turf
The physical cost of the turf itself is the foundational expense, and this price varies significantly based on the grass species selected. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine varieties typically fall within a range of $0.30 to $1.30 per square foot for the sod alone. For example, the premium Zoysia varieties often cost more due to their dense growth habit and superior drought tolerance.
Cool-season grasses, such as Fescue, which maintain color in cooler climates and can tolerate moderate shade, generally have a price point between $0.35 and $0.70 per square foot. Purchasing sod in large quantities, often by the pallet, provides a substantial discount on the unit price. A pallet of turf typically covers between 400 and 500 square feet, and purchasing multiple pallets for a full yard renovation is significantly more economical than buying individual rolls. A single pallet can cost from $130 to over $400, depending on the grass type and the supplier’s wholesale pricing.
Professional Installation and Labor Fees
While the material price sets the baseline, the labor required to lay the sod is a major contributor to the final cost. Professional installation fees are commonly calculated in one of two ways: a flat rate per square foot or an hourly rate for the crew. The labor component often ranges from $0.35 to $1.00 per square foot, or a crew might be billed at $37 to $80 per hour, depending on the region and the site’s complexity.
The scope of a basic installation typically includes the physical placement of the sod rolls, ensuring tight seams, and using a sod roller to press the turf firmly into the prepared soil to establish root-to-soil contact. This contact is necessary for the roots to quickly take hold and begin growing into the subsoil. The total price for material and basic labor generally falls between $1.00 and $2.60 per square foot for a ready-to-use lawn. This base service usually does not cover extensive soil amendment or significant grading work, which must be factored in separately.
Variables That Increase the Total Project Price
Several necessary preparation steps and logistical requirements can substantially inflate the overall project budget beyond the cost of the sod and basic laying labor. Before new turf can be installed, the existing lawn must be completely removed, a process that can involve using a sod cutter and then hauling away the debris. This site preparation work, including the removal of old turf and the necessary grading, can add an estimated $0.50 to over $2.00 per square foot to the total bill.
Proper soil conditions are necessary for the new sod to thrive, often requiring the addition of new topsoil or specific amendments to improve drainage and nutrient content. Tilling the existing soil and applying starter fertilizer creates a receptive bed for the new roots, and this preparatory work may be priced separately. Logistical fees, such as delivery charges, also add to the expense, especially for smaller orders, with fees ranging from $55 to $180 depending on the distance from the farm. Equipment rental costs for a rototiller or a heavy roller, if not included in the labor rate, represent an additional variable cost.