Augustine, and zoysia are best laid in the spring since they're dormant in the winter. Pricing depends on the size of the yard and how much resloping is required. You will need between 87 and pallets of sod to cover an acre of land. One acre is 43, square feet, and each pallet covers to square feet. Sod cannot be laid over grass and must make direct contact with the soil to root.
All the existing grass needs to be cleared away, the lawn should be graded level, and the soil must be tilled and prepared before laying sod. Sod takes root in 2 to 6 weeks , depending on the soil conditions and balance of sun, water, and air. Sod takes two weeks to grow shallow roots and six weeks to form deep roots. Adding soil amendments like sulfur, lime, and compost before laying sod provides a fertile environment for root growth.
DIY sod costs include far more than just the price of the new sod. Sodding a lawn yourself is very time-consuming and requires preparing the soil, testing pH levels, fertilizing, delivering the sod, laying the grass, and more.
Expect to spend about 2 hours installing square feet of sod one pallet , or longer if a lot of cutting is required. Depending on the project size, hiring a professional is sometimes cheaper due to the high cost of buying and renting the tools needed.
Also, hauling pallets of sod from a sod farm and unloading them the job site requires heavy machinery if you do it yourself, or extra delivery fees. Landscapers know the best species of grass to use on your yard, know how to prepare and enrich the soil, and offer a warranty on their work.
Get free estimates. How Much Does Sod Cost? How much will your sod cost? Sod vs. Grass Seed Sod or seed? Grass Sod Pricing Factors Warm vs. Hydroseeding vs. Grass Seed vs. Sod Cost Calculator Length of lawn in feet Width of lawn in feet. Get free sod estimates near you. View Pros. Consult with a sod installer on the best type for your lawn.
Get free quotes for your sod project. Talk to a professional landscaper near you. Get free sod quotes today. Still have questions? Ask a sod pro. Consult with a pro before attempting DIY. Pray, Richard. PDF file. Hicks, Ray F. Our FREE hiring guide helps you hire wisely, get quality craftsmanship and understand fair pricing for your specific project. We're an involved community that values your input. So, let us know - did we meet your needs? Your comments and sharing are greatly appreciated!
Site message including reference link shown here. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair and local delivery. Distribute new growth fertilizer on prepared soil separate item. Unroll, place and seam pack sod. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup. Daily rental. Be prepared for a significant increase in your water bill for at least the first month — new sod is thirsty!
If you opt to have a professional do the work, find a service that specializes in sod installation to help with the process. The price of sod can vary so much because of multiple factors, including type of grass, geographical region and quantity being purchased.
Geographical region plays a large part in pricing because climate determines whether you need a cool- or warm-season grass. Installing the wrong species of sod in your yard is like throwing your money away, so make sure you consult a professional to get it right.
Here is a breakdown of the most common grasses:. You may also need additional materials to install sod, such as fresh soil, sand and gopher wire, as well as special equipment, like a rototiller, compactor and sod cutter. This will be cut first thing in the morning or even in the middle of the night and delivered that same day, giving the installer the most time to lay it properly before it dries out.
The cost of labor to prep the space and install new sod makes up a good portion of the overall cost of a sod installation job. Some landscaping professionals charge for their time an hourly or daily rate , and some charge by the square foot 72 cents per square foot on average. You may get lucky and have a well-prepped yard that needs just the sod rolled out, but there are a few other factors that will contribute to the cost of sod installation, which are detailed below.
If the material and amount of it are manageable, like small plants and shrubs, you can keep costs down by removing landscaping yourself. If you have any hardscape, like concrete or pavers, that needs to be removed before laying sod, your best bet is to have a pro complete this task. He or she will have the proper equipment and knowledge to quickly and safely clear the area, as well as dispose of the debris.
The typical size roll is 2 x 5 feet to cover 10 sq. Some larger manufacturers only sell to contractors. The rolls are much larger, requiring special machinery to install. These sizes run as large as 42 inches wide by 90 ft. A bigger roll is handy when you need to cover larger areas in a shorter amount of time. Get free estimates from trusted sod installation companies near me Get Free Estimates.
When you purchase sod, costs vary because of its grade or the overall health and strength of its root system. Labor cost to install sod varies depending on several factors, including the slope or grade of your landscaping, soil condition, and shape and layout of your yard.
Flat rates are not typical due to the differences in size, shape, and type of grass. For a 5, sq. Buying or building a new home comes with lots of perks. One of those is brand new grass. Because the ground is already prepared when the lot is graded to build the house, new construction lawn installation costs less.
However, all of the other factors still apply, including the type and quality of the grass, the size and shape of the area to be sodded, and any special landscaping needs. It happens quickly. You begin to notice small patches of brown in your lawn.
Before you know it, the small patches become larger, and you are getting letters from the HOA. It looks like you need to replace your sod. Replacing sod is fairly expensive, sometimes more than installing sod on a yard without any existing grass. The reason is that the old sod needs to be removed.
This is done to ensure that the new grass has plenty of room for its roots to take hold and wipe out any bugs or diseases that may have killed the existing turf. Laying a new lawn is a great time to install a sprinkler system. When a sprinkler system is installed, the grass suffers as it must be pulled up to put in all of the components of the system. Sod needs a lot of water in the first two weeks.
A sprinkler system helps you achieve this more easily. Additionally, a sprinkler system takes the margin of error out of making sure your lawn is watered as needed regularly. The size of a pallet of sod varies, depending on who sells it. Pallets may cover anywhere from to sq.
Calculating the amount of sod you need is fairly easy. Although your contractor handles this, all you need to do is multiply the length by the width of your yard to get an idea of the cost. The cost depends on the type and quality of grass you purchase.
It is better to have too much sod than not enough. When calculating how many pallets you need to complete your job, round up to the nearest full pallet rather than down. Unless you recently had other land clearing done, you will likely need your yard prepared for the sod. Any old grass or sod should be removed. If it is dead or shallowly rooted, it can be pulled or scraped aside easily. Otherwise, it should be tilled. Tilling involves using a machine to cut the existing grass into the soil, preparing it for the new sod.
Tilling ensures that any weeds, stones, and other debris do not hinder the growth of the sod. The edges should be squared and prepared to handle the new sod. The entire area should be fertilized to make sure that it has the nutrients needed for the new grass to take root. Your contractor may need to test the soil to ensure that it is the correct balance. Finally, the surface should be packed down slightly but not too hard to make it easy for the roots to grow into it.
If you have trees or stumps that need to be removed, this should be completed before the sod installation. Additionally, plants that interfere with the job must be relocated. If your lawn is not already flat or has more than gentle slopes, you may need it graded or resloped before laying sod. Once completed, you can schedule your sod installation. Find top-rated sod installers near me Find Pros. As with all home improvement projects, various cost factors influence the price of your job.
Homeowners should be prepared to spend a little more or less depending on these differences. The shape of the area that is being sodded may create a little more work. Curved areas take time to cut and fit. Also, pricing is affected by how easy it is to access your yard.
This is particularly true for hard to reach areas or remote locations. Obstacles such as patios , driveways , decks , porches , hot tubs , pools, or other features in your yard can increase the pricing. This is because obstacles require special length and shape cuts. Finally, clearing away old grass, debris, rocks, grading, and leveling add to the cost of a sod project. There are four separate characteristics to look for when choosing a quality sod. These include harvest timing, soil consistency, maturity, and fertilization.
Wise consumers spend a few minutes looking for these features and possibly save themselves money in the long run. Quality sod ensures a durable, long-lasting lawn that will make your yard beautiful and functional.
When gauging these features, look for the following:. The recommended amount of time between the cutting of the sod and the installation is eight hours. The way to tell how long a pallet of sod has been harvested is one of a few ways.
First, you can check pieces of sod underneath the top one. If they are not green, it is likely the pallet has been sitting too long. Second, remember, the moment the sod is cut, it begins to lose moisture. Check the edges of the sod for dryness.
Third, place your hand on the top pieces of sod. If they are hot, the sod has been sitting too long. Soil is the foundation of your sod. Once it is placed on the ground in your yard, it takes a few days to root. In the meantime, the sod that surrounds the sod pieces will be what keeps it alive. Crumbling soil indicates poor nutrients. Soil that is too compacted keeps the roots from adhering properly to the existing foundation.
If there is more than that, the roots cannot get to the foundation below. Grass blades should be at least 2 inches long, thick, and have a consistent color. Variations in color indicate immature grass or even diseased sod. The roots of your sod should resemble a spider web, looking like a tangled mess. This gives them the strength to withstand being cut and replanted.
Keep in mind that immature grass may not be able to withstand being transplanted. The resiliency and health of your sod greatly depend on proper fertilization. Sod that lacks the right nutrients will be weakened and prone to disease, weeds, bugs, and wilting.
Check with your professional to find out the fertilization schedule used for your sod. Make sure you maintain the proper fertilization after the sod is installed. In most climates, the best time to lay sod is in the spring, when the weather begins to warm up but before it gets too hot. Most grasses grow best and establish their roots during the cooler months. By laying your sod in the spring, you give it a chance to settle before the high temperatures of summer set in.
If you live in an area that does not see very hot summers, you can lay your sod during the summer months.
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