Sod Installation Cost in Atlanta [2025 Data]

Sod installation costs in Georgia average $2,661, and most homeowners pay between $1,406 and $3,919 for sod installation. The size of the area you’re looking to cover and the prep work that your specific property needs before installation are the two most important cost factors to consider. A warm-season grass like Bermudagrass is ideal in Georgia and will lead to the healthiest lawn possible.

Sod Installation Cost Factors

Installing sod in Atlanta, Georgia, can cost anywhere from $600 up to $7,000, and where in that range your total will fall will depend on a few key cost factors.

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. The average cost for sod installation in Atlanta is between $1 and $3 per square foot. If you need extensive prep work before the installation, your cost could go up to $6 per square foot.

The average lot size in Atlanta is 0.174 acres, and covering a property of that size would total between $7,500 and $22,500. Most residents have smaller projects in mind, though, so the average cost of installation is much lower. You can use a sod calculator to estimate your total based on square footage, or you can use the table below to get a rough idea of your pricing.

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 can cost between $65 and $230 per pallet, and each pallet will cover between 400 and 500 square feet. This may seem like a high price to pay for delivery, but each pallet of sod can weigh between 1,500 and 4,500 pounds, so high delivery costs should be expected. You can save some money on delivery if you have a truck capable of hauling such heavy loads, but having a pro on-site to unload the sod is wise to avoid injury.

Types of Sod Grass

You can choose from a variety of grass species when you purchase sod, and the species you pick will affect your material costs. In a hot climate like the one in Georgia, choosing a warm-season grass is wise for the best chance of a healthy lawn. 

Bermudagrass is the most popular grass species in Atlanta, as it stands up well to high heat and intense sunlight. This sod will cost you between $1.35 and $2.85 per square foot. There are other options that will work well in Atlanta, though, so ask your sod installer what would work for your property.

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

Your sod installation costs will be the lowest if you’re installing over bare, level dirt, but most homeowners will need to remove their existing lawn first for the best results. This can add between $1 and $2 per square foot to your total. Georgia is also known for its red clay soil, so you may need to pay for aeration to break up the compacted soil to allow for healthy root growth. Aeration and other services will add to your total.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Hiring a professional landscaping company in Atlanta will mean paying an average of $1,300 in labor alone, which accounts for half of your total. This is about 8% higher than the national average due to the above-average cost of living in Atlanta, which drives local labor costs.

While the labor for sod installation is costly, it’s worth hiring a pro. Not only is transporting and moving sod extremely labor-intensive, but a pro can make recommendations for soil amendments that can lead to a healthier lawn overall, meaning you get more value from hiring an expert.

The City of Atlanta doesn’t require permits for sod installation, but you may need to consider permit fees if sod is just one part of your landscaping upgrades. Things like patio, driveway, walkway, deck, and pool installation will all require permits in Atlanta.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Yes, sod installation will improve your home value because it dramatically increases curb appeal, which plays an important role in what buyers believe your property is worth. On average, you can expect between a 100% and 150% return on investment (ROI) from sod installation. Given the average cost of the project in Atlanta, GA, sod will add between $2,700 and $5,400 to your home value in most cases.

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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