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| | | Sod is an "instant" lawn, either rolled out by machines (sometimes using an underlying netting) or placed by hand in mats or rolls. It generally takes about two years for a grower to mature good quality, weed-free turf sod. | | |
| Typical costs: | - For the do-it-yourselfer, rolls of sod cost 8-30 cents a square foot, depending on the variety and quantity bought. For front and back lawns of 20x50 feet each, that's 2,000 square feet or $160-$600.
- Having sod professionally installed just about doubles the cost to 14-60 cents a square foot, or $280-$1,000 for 2,000 square feet. A contractor may use special equipment to install rolls of sod 42 inches wide and up to 128 feet long, which saves on labor costs, creates fewer seams and gets the job done more quickly. Usually the cost per square foot is lower for a large, flat area that can be installed mechanically, averaging 15-24 cents or $6,500-$10,500 an acre (43,560 square feet).
What should be included: | - The University of California gives a good visual of how rectangles of sod should be laid out and the University of New Hampshire outlines all the steps involved.
- Generally all that's needed for do-it-yourself installation is the ability to understand "green side up" and lots of dirty, sweaty work. The ground must be properly leveled and prepared, and the sod should be installed immediately upon delivery.
- Although it's written from a contractor's perspective, LandscapeManagement.net provides an extremely informative list of 10 things you don't want your sod installer to do.
Additional costs: | - A contractor will charge more for a steep slope, an unusually shaped (non-rectangular) area, a narrow (less than seven feet wide) access making it necessary to haul the sod in by hand or other special circumstances.
Discounts: | - If installing your own sod, try buying direct from a grower at wholesale prices. There's no central national website for sod growers, but many regions have local associations.
Shopping for sod: | - Draw a rough map of the area you want covered with lawn, showing all dimensions and obstacles. The sod seller should double-check your square footage calculations. For a complex, irregularly-shaped project an installer may need to visit the site before giving an estimate.
- Check if the installer has any complaints on file at the Better Business Bureau.
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Article updated February 2007 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $1,000.00 |
Diseased Sod
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| Posted by: Unsatisfied Customer in Niceville, FL. | Purchased: June, 2007 |
| Sq Ft of Sod: 2800 | Installer: Navare Turf |
| Navare Turf sold me diseased sod and left me holding the bag. By the time I realised there was a fungus it was too late. All the grass died. I called them several times, they never returned my calls. |
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| Amount: $40.00 |
purchase sod
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| Posted by: Aul Pearson in Sandwich, IL. | Purchased: October, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Sod: 200 | Installer: self |
| Need sod to fill in areas about new cement walks. |
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| Amount: $325.00 |
Installed sod
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| Posted by: Jenny Doel in Salem, CT. | Purchased: March, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Sod: 1000 | Installer: Southeastern CT Landscaping |
I purchased good sod through a local farm for $200 and prepped the area. South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping installed it for me. Still looks great after a year.
www.sectlandscaping.com |
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