Sod Installation Cost in Tampa [2025 Data]

Sod installation costs in Tampa average $1,744, and most homeowners pay between $983 and $2,612. Your costs will depend mostly on the size of the area you’re sodding and whether you need to remove an existing lawn first, but the grass species you choose can also play a role in your pricing. St. Augustine grass is the most common in Tampa, and this sod costs between $1.35 and $2.75 per square foot.

Sod Installation Cost Factors

Sod installation costs in Tampa, Florida, can sit as low as $425, while some residents pay $4,500 or more. The wide range is due to several factors influencing your total price.

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, Tampa residents pay between $1 and $3 per square foot for sod installation, but costs can climb up to $4.50 or more, depending on your needs.

The average property size in Tampa is 0.172 acres, and sodding an entire lot of this size would cost between $7,500 and $22,500. Most homeowners sod smaller portions of their properties, so the average cost is much lower. You can use a sod calculator to determine how much you’ll spend, or you can get a general idea of your cost based on 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 a heavy material, so delivery costs are an important factor to consider. Some contractors will include delivery costs in your initial estimate, but most will charge between $60 and $250 for every 500 square feet of material. Each pallet weighs between 1,500 and 4,500 pounds and covers between 400 and 500 square feet. You can avoid delivery fees if you have a truck capable of hauling heavy loads and are willing to take the time to pick up the materials.

Types of Sod Grass

Sod is available in many different species, and the type of sod grass you choose will play a minor role in your costs. St. Augustine grass is the most common grass in Tampa and all of Florida. This species in sod form will cost between $1.35 and $2.75 per square foot for materials and labor. There are other options, but be sure to pick a species that can stand up well to heat and direct sunlight.

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

You may need to budget for old lawn removal, which can add $1 to $2 per square foot to your total, or other prep work to get your yard prepared for sod installation and help the new grass take root. Things like soil amendments, fertilizer and herbicide treatments, and land clearing and leveling can all influence your total. Topsoil delivery is definitely something to consider, as it adds nutrients to the sandy soil in Tampa and can help your sod thrive.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Even if you know how to lay sod, hiring a landscaping pro in Tampa to install your new sod is wise, as you’ll end up with a professional appearance that maximizes curb appeal, and a pro will make necessary amendments to your soil to give your sod the best chance at thriving. 

When you hire a professional, though, you’ll pay an average of $870 in labor costs, accounting for 50% of your total. If you need additional services, the cost of labor can easily double.

The City of Tampa doesn’t require permits for sod installation, so you won’t need to budget for permit fees. However, if you’re coupling your sod installation with other services, like patio or driveway installation, pool installation, or an in-ground sprinkler system, you may need permits for the other work you’re planning.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Sod installation will improve your home’s curb appeal, so it can have a positive impact on your home value. On average, you can expect sod installation to provide a return on investment (ROI) of between 100% and 150%, which means a bump in value of between $1,750 and $2,600 in Tampa.

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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