Straight answer: professionally installed sod runs about $1.50 to $2.60 per square foot in 2026. Most homeowners pay between $1,079 and $3,069 for the job, with a national average near $2,074. A small 500 sq ft lawn can land around $450–$900; a quarter-acre climbs fast. The number swings on grass type, how much prep the yard needs, and local labor rates.
| Line item | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Sod material only | $0.30–$0.85 / sq ft |
| Installed (material + labor) | $1.50–$2.60 / sq ft |
| Premium grass or heavy prep | up to $4.00 / sq ft |
| Old-lawn removal & grading | $0.50–$1.50 / sq ft added |
| Delivery (per pallet, ~450–500 sq ft) | $50–$150 per trip |
Grass type. Warm-season sod (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine) costs more than cool-season Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass.
Prep work. Clearing the old lawn, grading, and topsoil are the hidden swing factor. A bare, level yard installs far cheaper than a weedy, uneven one.
Access and slope. Tight access and slopes slow the crew and add labor hours.
A flat 2,000 sq ft front lawn with light prep, mid-grade Fescue, at $2.00/sq ft installed, lands near $4,000 before delivery. Add a pallet delivery and a half-day of old-turf removal and you’re closer to $4,500. Same yard on a slope with premium Zoysia can pass $7,000.
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Pricing figures reflect 2026 US market data (Angi, Lawn Love, HomeGuide, LawnStarter). Actual costs vary by region and site conditions — this page is a guide, not a quote.