Sod Installation Cost in San Francisco [2025 Data]

Sod installation costs in San Francisco average $2,437, and most residents pay between $1,380 and $3,518. Prices depend primarily on the area you want to cover with sod and what preparation your yard needs before the installation. The high cost of living in San Francisco means above-average sod installation costs, especially if you need labor-intensive prep work, like removing your old lawn or leveling your yard.

Sod Installation Cost Factors

To get an accurate estimate for your sod installation project in San Francisco, California, be sure to consider how all of the following factors will play into your material and labor costs.

Size

Since sod prices are based on your lawn’s square footage, your yard size plays a hefty role in the cost of the project. For small patches, you might be able to spend less than $1,000 in total sod installation costs. However, if you’re looking to sod a quarter of an acre or more, that price is substantially higher. Expect to pay between $1 and $3 per square foot to install sod in San Francisco, but note that prices can push beyond $6 per square foot if you need additional land prep.

The average lot size in San Francisco is just 0.064 acres, so covering an entire property with sod would cost between $2,800 and $8,400. Most projects are smaller than this, so you can measure your area using a sod calculator and go based on the per-square-foot price for a more personalized estimate.

Here’s a breakdown of sod installation costs by yard size: 

When buying by the yard, divide your square-foot measurements by nine to determine how much you need. For example, if your yard is 350 square feet, divide 350 by 9 for a total of 38.9 yards, and round that up to 39 yards of sod. Because most material is nonrefundable, be as accurate as possible while measuring and doing the math.

Sod Delivery

Delivering sod to your home will cost between $65 and $230 per pallet, or between $130 and $460 total for the average project in San Francisco. A single pallet of sod will cover just 400 to 500 square feet, but the delivery costs are high because each pallet can weigh up to 4,500 pounds. 

If you have a truck available, you can transport the sod yourself, but you’ll need help and special equipment to load and unload the materials to prevent injury. Hiring a landscaper is best, despite the high cost.

Types of Sod Grass

You can get many different kinds of sod, and the grass species you pick will have a small impact on your total material costs. Kentucky bluegrass is a popular option in San Francisco for its heat- and drought-resistance, and this type costs between $1.35 and $2.40 per square foot.

Other options are available that can thrive in the dry, moderate climate in the Bay Area. Warm-season grasses are best, so Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, fescues, and Bermudagrass are all popular options. Ask your sod installer if your property conditions make one option better than the others.

Here’s a breakdown of sod installation costs based on the type of grass:

New Lawn vs. Existing Lawn

The starting point you’re working with will factor into your overall price for this project. If you're just installing sod on a new lawn, the cost will be cheaper than removing an existing lawn and resodding it, as this process involves additional materials and labor. You may be able to sod over an existing lawn—check with your sod installation pro to see if that’s an option.

Soil Testing

The cost to test your soil is around $60 on average, but costs can range anywhere from $20 to $100. A professional soil test can help determine how to amend it and help your new grass grow thick and healthy. This test will also help you decide what type of grass grows best in your lawn’s soil conditions.

Prep and Removal

Just laying sod will cost you between $1 and $3 per square foot for materials and labor in San Francisco, but many residents will need to add $1 to $2 per square foot to remove their existing lawn before laying sod.

You may need other preparation, too. San Francisco is known to be hilly, so you may need to consider land leveling costs to get the most out of your new yard. The area also has soil with a high concentration of clay, so you may need aeration before laying sod to give the new lawn the best chance of rooting and thriving.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Hiring a landscaper in San Francisco to lay your sod for you is expensive. Labor accounts for 50% of your total, or between $1,200 and $1,300 in the area. Per-hour labor costs are close to 90% higher than you’d see in most other cities due to the high cost of living in the city. Hiring a pro is often worth it, though, as you’ll get the best-looking yard, the highest chance of your sod thriving, and personalized recommendations for how to maximize lawn health.

The City of San Francisco doesn’t charge permit fees for sod installation, so unless you’re coupling your project with something else, like installing an in-ground sprinkler system, a patio, or a new driveway, you won’t need to budget for permit fees.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Sod installation improves your home’s curb appeal, which means it will increase your home value. Especially in San Francisco, where buyers expect high-end homes on well-manicured lots, sod installation will make a big difference when it comes to property value. 

On average, sod installation provides a return on investment (ROI) of between 100% and 150%, but you could see even higher returns of up to 200% in San Francisco. Given the cost of sod installation in the area, you’re looking at a value bump of between $2,500 and $5,000.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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