Sod installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What sod installation is

Sod installation lays rolls of living grass over prepared soil to create an instant lawn. People choose it for a fast result, to replace a dead or damaged lawn, or to cover an area where seed would wash away or struggle.

Signs you need it

  • The lawn is dead, badly worn or full of bare patches that seed would take too long to fix
  • The yard was graded or disturbed by construction and needs new turf
  • You want an instant green lawn for an event, a sale or a move-in date
  • Seed keeps washing off a slope or getting taken by birds before it can root
  • The soil is poor and you want to start with grass that is already rooted

What the pro does

  • The pro removes the old turf or weeds, checks the soil and grades the area so water runs away from the house
  • The soil is loosened and amended as needed, then raked smooth and firmed
  • Rolls of sod are laid in staggered rows with tight seams and no gaps, cut to fit edges and curves
  • Each section is rolled or tamped so the roots make firm contact with the soil
  • The pro sets a watering schedule and tells you when to walk on the sod and when to mow it

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Area of the lawn and how much of it has to be stripped and graded
  • Grass type, since some sod varieties are priced differently and handle sun or shade in different ways
  • Soil condition and how much amendment or grading is needed
  • Slopes, drainage and any retaining work that changes the plan
  • Access for pallets and equipment through the yard
  • Removal and hauling of the old turf or debris
  • Irrigation changes, such as adding a sprinkler zone, if they are part of the job

What a written quote should spell out

  • The sod type and grass variety, and the area covered
  • How the old turf is removed and where it goes
  • The soil prep, including grading, amendments and any topdressing
  • How the seams, edges and curves are cut and finished
  • The watering plan for the first weeks and who is responsible for it
  • The warranty on the sod, what it covers and what the pro will do if it fails

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What sod variety do you recommend for my sun and foot traffic, and why?
  • How do you prepare the soil, and how deep do you grade?
  • How soon after delivery will you lay the sod, and how do you keep it from drying out?
  • What watering schedule do you give, and who waters if I am away?
  • When can I walk on it, and when can I mow it?
  • What do you do if a section dies or lifts after it is laid?
  • Do you haul away the old turf and debris, or do I have to arrange that?

Red flags

  • They lay sod on bare or compacted soil with no prep, so it cannot root
  • They leave the sod on the pallet in the sun for days before laying it
  • They cannot describe the watering schedule or say who is responsible for watering
  • They will not put the sod warranty in writing
  • They lay the rolls with gaps or overlaps at the seams instead of staggered joints

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can lay sod on a small, flat area with prepared soil, keeping the rolls moist and watering promptly after laying. Call a pro for large lawns, for grading or drainage work, or when the job involves retaining walls, steep slopes or buried lines that need to be located first. Keep the sod shaded and moist until it is laid, since dry sod dies quickly.

Licenses and permits

Sod installation is commonly done by a licensed contractor when it includes grading, drainage or irrigation work. Check with your state or local licensing agency about contractor licensing and any permit that applies to your yard.

Sod installation questions

How do I know if the sod is healthy?

Healthy sod is green, moist, free of pests and has roots that hold the soil together when the roll is lifted. Ask the pro where the sod came from and when it was cut, since freshness matters.

How soon can I walk on new sod?

Walking on new sod too early can lift it before it roots. Ask the pro for the timing based on your sod type and the weather, and keep to it.

Why is my new sod turning yellow or lifting?

Common causes are soil that was not prepared, sod that dried out, or a watering schedule that was missed. Ask the pro to look at it, say what they found and explain what they will do.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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