Sod Installation Cost in Charlotte [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $1,503 - $4,305

The average cost to install sod in Charlotte, North Carolina is $2,904. Depending on sod type, yard size, and prep, most spend between $1,503 and $4,305

How we get this data
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Rachel Hoffman
Written by Rachel Hoffman
Contributing Writer
Updated Sep 8, 2025
Highlights

  • Installing sod is a great shortcut to a healthy, lush lawn.

  • Warm-weather grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are well-suited for Charlotte’s climate.

  • A Charlotte landscaping pro who specializes in sod installation will ensure professional results and thriving sod. 

A lush, green lawn can be the envy of the neighborhood, but waiting to grow a lawn from seed can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive project. Installing sod in your Charlotte lawn gives you instant results without the challenges of starting a lawn from seed. The cost of sod installation in Charlotte averages between $1,503 and $4,305, with the average homeowner paying around $2,904. Take a look at some of the factors that influence how much you’ll pay for sod installation in Charlotte.

Sod Installation Cost Factors 

Sod installation costs in Charlotte, North Carolina, vary depending on various factors, including yard size, type of grass, labor costs, site prep, and more. We break down some of the things that contribute to the cost of 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.

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 $700–$1,750$1,400–$3,150
1,000 $1,400–$3,500$2,800–$6,300
1,500 $2,100–$5,250$4,200–$9,450
2,000 $2,800–$7,000$5,600–$12,600
3,000 $4,200–$10,500$8,400–$18,900
4,000 $5,600–$14,000$11,200–$25,200
5,000 $7,000–$17,500$14,000–$31,500
Read more

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 determine exactly how much sod you need to order. 

Sod Delivery

If you know how to lay sod and are installing your own sod as a DIY project, you’ll need to pay to have it delivered to your home. Sod delivery can cost between $65 to $400, depending on the amount of sod, the delivery distance, and how accessible your property is. 

Types of Sod Grass

If you want your sod to thrive, choose a sod grass variety that fits Charlotte’s climate and can survive the area’s hot, humid summers and mild but wet winters. Warm-weather grasses like Bahia, Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia grass are good choices for Charlotte lawns. 

Here’s a breakdown of sod installation costs based on the type of grass:

Type of GrassAverage Cost per Sq. Ft. (Labor and Materials)ProsCons
Bahia$1.20–$2.40Affordable, drought and heat resistanceSlow growth, may be patchy
Bermuda$1.35–$2.85Sun, heat, and drought toleranceMay aggressively spread, not cold-tolerant
St. Augustine$1.35–$2.75High heat and humidity tolerance, low-maintenanceNot drought- or cold-tolerant, won’t withstand heavy foot traffic
Zoysia$1.40–$2.85Drought, shade, and heat tolerance, resistance to pests and diseaseHigh cost, aggressive spread, needs well-drained soil

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.

Pro Tip

Spring is the best time for sod installation, but it can be done in the fall. You want the temperatures appropriate for grass growth, and you'll need to water constantly during the early stages of installation.

Christian Lazo
Christian Lazo
Owner, Lazo Landscaping & Contracting

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

Whether you’re installing sod on a brand-new lawn or replacing your current lawn, the site will need to be prepped. Standard prep services include grass and weed removal, site leveling, fertilizer and herbicide treatments, and clearing the land of obstacles and vegetation. 

ServiceAverage Cost
Old grass and weed removal$1–$3 per square foot
Land clearing10% of project cost
Soil prep costs$45–$200
Fertilizer and herbicide treatment$0.02–$0.08 per square foot
Topsoil$12–$55 per cubic yard
Land leveling$1–$3 per square foot

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Landscape Pro Costs

For the best results, hire a landscape pro in Charlotte, North Carolina, to install your sod. Local landscape labor costs average between $60 and $100 an hour, which will be included in your project quote. A qualified landscaper who specializes in sod installation can answer all your sod installation questions, let you know the best time to lay sod, and instruct you on how to care for your new sod so it stays healthy and green. 

Permit Costs

In most cases, you won’t need a permit to install sod in Charlotte unless your project involves excavation, major regrading, or installing irrigation or drainage. Check with the Mecklenburg County code enforcement office before beginning work to confirm whether your project needs a permit before you begin work.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Installing sod can be a landscaping project that really pays off, offering a return on investment (ROI) of up to 100%. Not only can you recoup the cost of landscaping when you install sod, you can help prevent soil erosion, improve your yard’s drainage, and drastically improve your home’s curb appeal.

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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Learn more about our contributor
Rachel Hoffman
Written by Rachel Hoffman
Contributing Writer
Rachel is a freelance writer and editor dedicated to helping people clean up their messes, get organized, and learn to love their homes again. Her work has appeared in Elle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, Lifehacker, and NBC News.

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