Railroad tie retaining wall costs can vary widely, so getting an accurate estimate for your needs is a good idea to set your budget appropriately.
Sod Installation Cost in Chicago [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $857 - $2,081
The average cost to install sod in Chicago, Illinois is $1,466. Depending on sod type, yard size, and prep, most spend between $857 and $2,081.
How we get this data
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
Transform your Chicago lawn with sod installation to boost your curb appeal, prevent erosion, and increase your home’s value.
Sod installation costs depend on yard size, grass type, required yard prep services, and more.
A qualified Chicago sod installation pro can provide the best results for a healthy, thriving lawn.
Installing sod can give your Chicago lawn an instant facelift, giving you a lush, green lawn without having to wait for seed to grow. Sod installation in Chicago costs an average of $1,466, with most sod installation projects falling between $857 and $2,081. We explore some of the most common factors that affect how much you’ll pay to install sod.
Sod Installation Cost Factors
The cost of sod installation in Chicago, IL, depends on how big your yard is, what type of grass you choose, how much prep work your yard needs, and other factors. Take a look at some of the things that affect how much your sod installation project will cost.
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.
Here’s a breakdown of sod installation costs by yard size:
| Yard Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Sod Installation Cost (New Lawn) | Average Sod Installation Cost (Resod Existing Yard) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | $350–$925 | $700–$1,625 |
| 1,000 | $700–$1,850 | $1,400–$3,250 |
| 1,500 | $1,050–$2,775 | $2,100–$4,875 |
| 2,000 | $1,400–$3,700 | $2,800–$6,500 |
| 3,000 | $2,100–$5,550 | $4,200–$9,750 |
| 4,000 | $2,800–$7,400 | $5,600–$13,000 |
| 5,000 | $3,500–$9,250 | $7,000–$16,250 |
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. A sod calculator can help you pinpoint exactly how much sod you need to order.
Sod Delivery
If you know how to lay sod and are tackling sod installation as a DIY project, you’ll need to pay to have the sod delivered to your home. Sod delivery averages between $65 and $400, depending on how much sod you order, how far it has to be delivered, and how accessible your property is.
Types of Sod Grass
wedninth / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, eanUrsula / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, cilicia / Adobe Stock
With Chicago’s hot summers and cold winters, you’ll need to select a type of sod grass that can withstand the area's varying climate conditions. Fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass are all popular choices due to their cold tolerance and hardiness.
Here’s a breakdown of sod installation costs based on the type of grass:
| Type of Grass | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. (Labor and Materials) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fescue | $1.35–$2.65 | Stays green in cool weather, good for high-traffic areas | Turns brown in high heat, prone to disease in wet conditions |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $1.35–$2.40 | Extremely hardy in cold temperatures, holds up to high traffic | Not shade, heat, or drought tolerant, high-maintenance |
| Perennial ryegrass | $1.35–$2.65 | Low-maintenance, hardy in moderate conditions | May appear patchy, doesn’t thrive in shade |
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
Before installing sod, you’ll need to prepare your lawn to give the sod the best chance of properly rooting and thriving. If you’re replacing your existing lawn, you’ll need to remove old grass and prepare the soil with amendments, fertilizer, or herbicide. For new lawns, you may need to clear and level the land as well as prepare the soil before installing sod.
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Old grass and weed removal | $1–$3 per sq. ft. |
| Land clearing | 10% of project cost |
| Soil prep costs | $45–$200 |
| Fertilizer and herbicide treatment | $0.02–$0.08 per sq. ft. |
| Topsoil | $12–$55 per cubic yard |
| Land leveling | $1–$3 per sq. ft. |
Sod Installation Pro Costs
Landscape Pro Costs
Hiring a local landscaper in Chicago to install your sod will cost an average of $50 to $100 per hour in labor costs. A qualified landscaper who specializes in installing sod will answer all your sod installation questions, advise you on the best time to lay sod, ensure your yard is prepped properly, and let you know how to maintain your new sod.
Permit Costs
Depending on the scope of your sod installation project and whether it includes excavation or installing irrigation or drainage, you may be required to obtain a permit from the City of Chicago before beginning work. Confirm permit requirements and fees with the Department of Buildings or your sod installation contractor before starting your project.
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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Sod installation, like many major landscaping projects, can offer a return on investment (ROI) of up to 100%, making it a worthwhile project to undertake. Sod installation improves your home’s curb appeal and is a great selling point when it comes time to put your home on the market—prospective buyers appreciate a well-established, weed-free lawn that won’t need a lot of work.
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