Sod Installation Cost in Baltimore [2025 Data]

Sod installation costs in Baltimore average $1,935, and most projects total somewhere between $1,060 and $3,001. Your costs will depend primarily on the square footage you need to sod and the state of your existing lawn. Fescues are the most popular grass species in the city, with sod prices ranging from $1.35 to $2.65 per square foot.

Sod Installation Cost Factors 

Some residents in Baltimore, Maryland, pay as little as $800 for sod installation over a small area, while others looking to sod their entire lawns may pay up to $5,000. There are a few factors you should consider to get the most accurate price possible for your sod installation.

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, you can expect to pay between $1 and $3 per square foot to install sod, but your costs could increase to between $4.50 and $6 per square foot if you need a lot of prep work.

The average property size in Baltimore is 0.037 acres, and covering an entire property of this size with sod would total between $1,600 and $4,800. Most homeowners cover smaller portions of their yards with sod, though, so you can either use the table below or a sod calculator to figure out what your installation will total.

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

One thing many homeowners forget to consider when determining sod installation costs is the price of delivery. A single pallet of sod can weigh between 1,500 and 4,500 pounds, and delivery can total between $65 and $230 per pallet. 

One pallet will cover between 400 and 500 square feet, so you can figure out the total square footage of your project and then determine your delivery costs based on these average prices. Alternatively, you could avoid delivery costs if you have a truck capable of hauling that weight.

Types of Sod Grass

Sod is available in many different species, and the type of sod grass you pick will affect your costs. In Baltimore, it’s best to pick a cool-season grass that can stand up to direct sunlight, as less than 30% of the city is shaded. Fescues are the most popular types of grass in Baltimore, and this species in sod form will cost between $1.35 and $2.65 per square foot, but you can ask your sod installer what species is right for your home.

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

Laying sod over bare, leveled soil is the most affordable and will cost just $1 to $3 per square foot in Baltimore, including materials and labor. If you need to level or clear the land first, or you’d benefit from spreading topsoil or applying herbicides or fertilizers, your costs could increase. Eastern Baltimore has some sandy soil, but for the most part, the soil is clayey, and aeration can help loosen the ground to promote healthy root growth after sod installation.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Hiring a professional landscaping company in Baltimore will cost you an average of $970 in labor alone, which accounts for 50% of your total. Professional installation costs often include delivery, though, so it’s worth paying for a pro to complete this time-intensive and back-breaking work. A professional can also make recommendations for sod species and soil amendments to give you sod the best chance of flourishing.

The City of Baltimore doesn’t require permits for sod installation, so you won’t have to budget separately for permit costs. However, if your sod installation is just one part of your landscaping plans, you may need permits for other projects, like installing a pool, patio, deck, or driveway.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Sod installation boosts your home’s curb appeal, which means it will have a positive impact on your home value. The project provides an average return on investment (ROI) of between 100% and 150%. Given the average cost of sod installation in Baltimore, you’re looking at a value increase of between $1,900 and $2,900. With average property values of $190,000, that’s a 1% to 2% bump in total property value, which is outstanding.

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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