Sod Installation Cost in Boston [2025 Data]

Sod installation costs in Boston average $2,431, and most projects in the city total between $1,375 and $3,756. Your price will depend mostly on the size of the area you’re looking to sod and the prep work you need to do before installation. Fescues and Kentucky bluegrass are the most popular sod species in Boston, and these cost between $1.35 and $2.65 per square foot.

Sod Installation Cost Factors

Some homeowners in Boston, Massachusetts, pay as little as $650 to install sod, while some pay as much as $6,500. Be sure to consider all of the following cost factors to get a better idea of what your 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. You can use a sod calculator to figure out how many square feet of sod you need, and then use the average cost of installing sod in Boston, which is between $1 and $3 per square foot.

The average property size in Boston is just 0.022 acres, and installing sod over an entire plot of this size would cost between $950 and $3,000. Most projects in Boston fall right in the middle of this range.

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

Sod delivery costs between $65 and $230 per pallet in Boston, and a single pallet of sod can cover 400 to 500 square feet. For the average project in Boston, you’ll need two pallets, and delivery costs will range from $120 to $500.

You can save on delivery costs if you can transport the sod yourself, but a pallet weighs between 1,500 and 4,500 pounds, so you’ll need a capable truck and some help from friends or family members.

Types of Sod Grass

The type of sod you buy will affect your material costs to some degree, so consider what grass species you want on your property. Cool-season grasses are best in Boston, as they’ll be less likely to turn brown over the winter and will be able to stay alive (although dormant) through the cold, snowy winters in the city. Fescues and Kentucky bluegrass are the most popular grass species in the city, and these cost between $1.35 and $2.65 per square foot.

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

Sod installation by itself will cost between $1 and $3 per square foot in Boston, including materials and labor, but your costs can climb up to $4.50 to $6 per square foot if you need to remove your existing lawn before installing sod. Ask your sod installer if you’ll need this service for healthy sod growth.

You may also need other preparation services, which can drive costs higher. Boston is known for its “Boston Blue Clay” soil, which has a high concentration of clay particles and can easily compact. Aeration can help loosen the soil to encourage root growth for your new sod. The city is also somewhat hilly, so some minor land leveling may be on your list of to-dos while upgrading your lawn.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

When you hire a professional landscaping company in Boston, an average of 50% of your total will go toward labor, which means labor alone will cost you between $1,200 and $1,300 in the city. This is well above the national average, partly because the cost of living in Boston is more than 50% higher than the national average.

It’s still a good idea to hire a pro, as installing sod is a labor-intensive job that can leave you prone to injury. Plus, an expert can help determine if your soil would benefit from aeration or fertilizer treatments for the best chance of your sod taking root and thriving.

The City of Boston doesn’t charge any permit fees for sod installation, but you should budget for permit fees if you’re also considering other outdoor projects, like installing an in-ground sprinkler system or putting in hardscaping alongside your sod.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Yes, installing sod will boost your home value by an average of between $2,400 and $3,600 in Boston. Sod installation increases your curb appeal, which makes your home more desirable to prospective buyers. It’s one of the most valuable home upgrades you can make in terms of return on investment (ROI), as it provides an ROI of between 100% and 150%.

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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