Sod Installation Cost in Orlando

Sod installation costs in Orlando average $1,812, and most residents pay somewhere between $982 and $2,647. Your price will depend mostly on the size of the area you’re sodding and whether you need to pay to remove your existing lawn first, but the species of grass will also play a role. St. Augustine grass is the most common in Florida due to its hardiness in hot weather, costing between $1.35 and $2.75 per square foot.

Sod Installation Cost Factors

Sod installation in Orlando, Florida, can cost anywhere from $420 to $4,520. There’s such a large range because there are a few factors at play that have a major impact on your total.

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. On average, Orlando residents pay between $1 and $3 per square foot for sod installation, but costs can climb to $4.50 or more depending on added services.

The average property size in Orlando is 0.189 acres, and sodding an entire plot of that size would cost between $8,200 and $16,400. Most projects include just portions of the yard, so prices are much lower. You can get an accurate estimate for your project by using a sod calculator or by using the table below.

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

Sod is very heavy, so delivery fees can play an important role in your total sod installation costs. You’ll pay between $65 and $230 per 500 square feet of sod you need delivered, so delivery fees for larger projects can quickly add up. You can avoid delivery fees if you have a truck that can handle the load, but each pallet of sod that covers 400 to 500 square feet weighs 1,500 to 4,500 pounds, so you’d need a truck capable of moving that much weight.

Types of Sod Grass

The species of grass you choose will also affect your costs, although the effect on your total will be much less than the square footage you want sodded. The most common grass species in Orlando is St. Augustine, which costs between $1.35 and $2.75 per square foot, including materials and installation labor. This species stands up well to the intense heat and sunlight in Orlando, but other options are available that have a similar hardiness.

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

Installing sod on your property may require some additional prep work that can add to your total. Removing old grass or weeding existing soil can add $1 to $2 per square foot, but you may also need soil amendments, fertilizer, herbicide treatments, topsoil delivery and installation, land clearing, or land leveling.

Each of these services will add to your total based on the square footage you’re sodding. Topsoil delivery is often a good idea in Orlando, as it amends the sandy soil in the area and can help your grass take root and thrive.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Hiring a sod installation pro in Orlando will cost you between $1 and $2 per square foot in labor costs alone, or an average of between $200 and $2,250, depending on the square footage of sod you need installed. Labor accounts for 50% of your total on average, but that percentage can climb higher if you need add-on services, like removing old grass, weeding existing soil, or leveling your property.

The City of Orlando doesn’t require permits for sod installation, so you won’t need to worry about paying for permit fees. However, if you’re installing an in-ground sprinkler system at the same time or plan on coupling your sod installation with a new driveway or patio, you’ll need permits for the additional projects. Ask your sod professional about permit fees for your other landscaping improvements.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Sod installation will increase your home value, as it boosts curb appeal and helps give potential buyers a more positive first impression of your home. On average, you can expect a 100% to 150% return on investment (ROI) for sod installation if you’re replacing an unsightly lawn, which means an average home value bump of between $1,800 and $3,600 in Orlando.

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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