How sod is priced
You’ll see sod quoted three ways. They all convert to a price per square foot:
| Quoted as | To get price per sq ft | Example with made-up numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Per square foot | Already there | — |
| Per pallet | Pallet price ÷ sq ft on the pallet | $P ÷ 450 sq ft |
| Per roll or slab | Piece price ÷ sq ft per piece | $R ÷ 10 sq ft for a 2 × 5 ft roll; $S ÷ 2.67 sq ft for a 16 × 24 in slab |
Comparing on price per square foot is the only fair way to compare a farm’s pallet price with a store’s per-slab price. The calculator does the conversion: pick “pallet” in the price box and it shows the per-square-foot figure in the note under the scorecard.
Working out your sod cost
- Measure the lawn in sections and add them, subtracting beds and patios. The calculator does this above.
- Add the extra for cutting: 5% for straight edges, up to 10% or more for curves and beds.
- Price it:
- Per square foot: order size × price.
- Per pallet: order size ÷ sq ft per pallet, rounded up to whole pallets, × pallet price. If the farm sells loose pieces, price the part pallet at the piece price instead.
- Add the extras from the list below.
Worked example with placeholder prices
A 40 × 25 ft lawn: 1,000 sq ft, plus 5% = 1,050 sq ft.
- Priced per square foot at $X: 1,050 × X. If X were $1.00, the sod would be $1,050.
- Priced per pallet at $P for 450 sq ft: 1,050 ÷ 450 = 2.33 pallets. Three full pallets cost 3 × P. Two pallets plus 15 loose rolls costs 2 × P + 15 × (roll price).
The $1.00 is only there to show the arithmetic. It is not a price guide.
What else goes on the bill
| Line item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Often a flat fee by distance, sometimes per pallet. Ask whether it includes unloading. |
| Forklift or liftgate unloading | Pallets can weigh a ton or more; see sod pallet weight. Some deliveries are curbside only. |
| Pallet deposit | Some farms charge a refundable deposit on the wooden pallets. |
| Small-order or partial-pallet charge | Loose pieces usually cost more per square foot than full pallets. |
| Starter fertilizer | A bag for the soil under the sod. See the fertilizer calculator. |
| Soil or compost | Only if the soil needs building up. |
| Tool rental | Sod cutter to remove old grass, tiller, lawn roller. |
What makes sod cost more or less
- Grass type and variety. Warm-season grasses such as zoysia and premium St. Augustine varieties, and newer patented varieties of any grass, usually cost more than common types.
- Region and distance. Sod is heavy and perishable, so it is grown close to where it is sold. Prices follow local supply, and delivery adds more the farther you are from the farm.
- Order size. Full pallets and multi-pallet orders cost less per square foot than single pieces.
- Season. Spring demand is high in many areas; some farms price differently through the year or run out of popular grasses.
- Where you buy. Direct from a farm, through a landscape supply yard, or from a garden center.
Ways to save
- Measure carefully and order the right amount, with 5 to 10% extra, not 25%.
- Ask two or three farms for a delivered price for your exact square footage and grass.
- Pick up a pallet yourself only if your vehicle can carry it legally and safely.
- Do the soil preparation yourself even if a crew lays the sod.
- For a large area or a tight budget, compare with seed using the grass seed calculator and the sod vs seed guide.
This page doesn't give price estimates. Use quotes from local sod farms and garden centers, and confirm pallet size and piece size before you compare.
Questions people ask
- How do I estimate the cost of sod?
- Work out the square feet of lawn, add 5 to 10 percent for cutting, and multiply by the price per square foot from your supplier. If they price by the pallet, divide your order by the square feet on a pallet, round up, and multiply by the pallet price.
- How do I turn a pallet price into a price per square foot?
- Divide the pallet price by the square feet on the pallet. If a 450 sq ft pallet is $P, sod costs P ÷ 450 per square foot.
- Why don't you list sod prices?
- Sod prices change with the grass type, the region, the season and the size of the order, and delivery can add a large share. A national average would mislead you, so the calculator uses the price from your own quote.
- Is sod cheaper at a sod farm or a garden center?
- Farms selling full pallets direct often charge less per square foot than stores selling single pieces, but they may have minimum orders and delivery fees. Compare the total delivered cost for your whole order, not the headline price.
- What does sod cost per square foot installed?
- Installed prices add labor, soil preparation and removal of the old lawn to the sod itself, and vary widely by region. The sod installation cost calculator lets you enter each part from a contractor's quote.