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Sod Installation Cost in St. Louis [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $995 - $2,399
The average cost to install sod in St. Louis, Missouri is $1,676. Depending on sod type, yard size, and prep, most spend between $995 and $2,399.
How we get this data
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
The two most important cost factors to consider are the size of the area you want to cover with sod and the amount of yard preparation you need beforehand.
Most homeowners in St. Louis pay somewhere between $1 and $3 per square foot of sod they want installed.
Zoysia is one of the most popular sod species in St. Louis. Materials and installation labor cost between $1.40 and $2.85 per square foot.
For the best results, choose a sod species that can withstand hot, humid summers and relatively cold winters.
Sod installation costs in St. Louis average $1,676, and most homeowners pay somewhere between $995 and $2,399. The two most important cost factors to consider are the area you’re looking to cover and whether or not you need your existing lawn removed before installation. Zoysia is the most popular grass species in St. Louis, and it costs between $1.40 and $2.85 per square foot to install.
Sod Installation Cost Factors
Installing sod in St. Louis, Missouri, can cost as little as $540, but some homeowners pay as much as $4,500. Make sure you consider all of the following cost factors to get the most accurate estimate possible for your project.
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’ll pay between $1 and $3 per square foot to install sod in St. Louis, although prices can climb to between $4.50 and $6, depending on the land prep you need beforehand.
The average property size in St. Louis is 0.098 acres, so covering an entire plot in the city would cost between $4,200 and $12,600. Most projects in the city involve just a portion of the property, though. You can use the table below to get a rough estimate for your project, or use a sod calculator for a more accurate price.
| Size (Sq. Ft.) | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 250 | $250–$750 |
| 500 | $500–$1,500 |
| 1,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| 1,500 | $1,500–$4,500 |
| 2,000 | $2,000–$6,000 |
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 an extremely heavy material, weighing between 1,500 and 4,500 pounds per pallet. Each pallet of sod can cover between 400 and 500 square feet and costs between $65 and $230 to deliver. You can estimate how many pallets you need and then use this base cost to estimate your total delivery costs. You can also avoid delivery costs if you have a truck capable of hauling heavy loads, although loading and unloading the sod is still labor-intensive work.
Types of Sod Grass
wedninth / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, eanUrsula / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, cilicia / Adobe Stock, Brittney / Adobe Stock
Sod is available in a variety of species, and the one you choose will play a minor role in your total costs. St. Louis sees hot, humid summers and relatively cold winters, so choosing a grass species that can handle both extremes will leave you with the healthiest lawn possible.
Zoysia is the most popular species in the city, as it’s resilient to both hot and cold temperatures. Zoysia sod costs between $1.40 and $2.85 per square foot for materials and installation labor. You can also ask your sod installer what species would work for your property.
Here’s a breakdown of sod installation costs based on the type of grass:
| Sod Type | Cost (per Sq. Ft.) | Pros | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fescue | $1.35–$2.65 | Won’t turn brown | Course texture |
| Kentucky bluegrass | $1.35–$2.40 | Soft texture | Hard to control |
| Perennial ryegrass | $1.35–$2.65 | Resists wear | High-maintenance |
| Zoysia | $1.40–$2.85 | Thrives in St. Louis | Lots of thatch |
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
If you have a new construction property with bare soil, you likely won’t need to pay anything extra to prepare your yard for sod installation. Homeowners with an existing lawn may need to pay between $1 and $2 per square foot to remove the old grass before sod installation.
You may also need to consider other prep work, like land leveling, soil amendments, and more. For example, the soil in Baltimore has a high concentration of clay, so budgeting extra for aeration before installing your sod can help loosen the compacted soil to allow for healthy root growth.
| Add-On Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Aeration | $0.03–$0.05/sq. ft. |
| Fertilizer treatment | $60–$304 |
| Herbicide treatment | $0.02–$0.07/sq. ft. |
| Land clearing | $405–$4,400/acre |
| Land leveling | $0.81–$2.43/sq. ft. |
| Old grass removal | $1–$2/sq. ft. |
| Topsoil delivery | $10–$45/cu. yd. |
Sod Installation Pro Costs
Hiring a professional sod service in St. Louis will mean paying an average of $850 in labor, which accounts for half of your total. On a per-hour basis, labor costs are a little lower in St. Louis than in most other cities, as the cost of living is about 2% below the national average.
While labor is still expensive, hiring a professional is a good idea. Not only is sod installation extremely labor-intensive, but an expert can recommend soil amendments and other treatments that can help increase the chance of your sod thriving, which is always worth the investment.
The City of St. Louis doesn’t require permits for sod installation, so you don’t need to budget separately for permit costs. However, if sod installation is just one part of your landscaping plans, you may need permits for the rest, such as installing a patio, deck, driveway, walkway, or pool.
Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?
Yes, installing sod will boost your home value because it improves your curb appeal, which has a major impact on a buyer’s impression of your home. On average, you can expect a 100% to 150% return on investment (ROI) on sod installation. Given the average cost of sod installation in St. Louis, you’re looking at an average value bump of between $1,700 and $2,500.
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.
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