Landscaping costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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 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.
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 |
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.
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.
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 Grass | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. (Labor and Materials) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahia | $1.20–$2.40 | Affordable, drought and heat resistance | Slow growth, may be patchy |
| Bermuda | $1.35–$2.85 | Sun, heat, and drought tolerance | May aggressively spread, not cold-tolerant |
| St. Augustine | $1.35–$2.75 | High heat and humidity tolerance, low-maintenance | Not drought- or cold-tolerant, won’t withstand heavy foot traffic |
| Zoysia | $1.40–$2.85 | Drought, shade, and heat tolerance, resistance to pests and disease | High cost, aggressive spread, needs well-drained soil |
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Old grass and weed removal | $1–$3 per square foot |
| Land clearing | 10% 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
The BEST landscaper I’ve ever hired. Gerardo and his team did an incredible job. Great communication and very efficient. Will be using him for all of our landscaping and lawn needs going forward!!
MC Lawn ServicesMaximum Landscape does a tremendous job. The team is out weekly to our property and takes care of all of our yard maintenance. The team is prompt, friendly and professional. I would readily recommend Maximum Landscape to anyone looking for landscape work, from lawn care, through to larger...
Maximum Landscaping & Lawn CareI needed my grass cut really bad. I got in contact with Soto’s green earth landscaping, they were very helpful and professional. They gave me a price same day and cut my grass the same day. Very impressed. Most companies will leave you hanging for a couple of days. Not the case here. Very...
Soto's Green Earth LandscapingGarden Gnomads did an amazing job converting my yard from a drab, weed and mud landscape, to a beautiful, thriving, productive habitat for wildlife and food production for my family.
Garden Gnomads, LLCThey were very efficient and provided a great price. I would definitely use them in the future for my landscaping needs.
Lakeland LandscapingDenis landscaping service was fast, nice and price was reasonable. I will use him for regular patio maintenancr
Ramos Landscape and Lawn Service LLCWe had quite a bit of landscaping done with Gillespie. And each, and every portion of the work was fantastically done with great attention to detail and quality. All of the folks that we dealt with were incredible to be around, very conscientious, and did high-quality work. I cannot recommend...
Gillespie LandscapeMatt installed a large engineered retaining wall for me and landscaped my entire property. It all came out better than I could even have imagined. He is great to work with and would definitely hire him again.
New England Hardscapes & LandscapesGary gave a fair and honest estimate for clearing an overgrown backyard. Performed work as agreed upon and offered plenty of advice on ways to move forward with landscaping. Would highly recommend!
Green Choice Excavation5star Landscaping was great. Small team, but had all the equipment they needed. Arrived on time, responsive via text and phone, did a great job!
JavierFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
How much do movers cost in Charlotte, NC? The answer depends on a lot of factors, but you can plan your budget with our cost guide.
The cost to pressure wash a house in Charlotte, NC, is based on the project type and surface area. Plan your budget here.
Garages increase curb appeal and have a high ROI. Use this guide to learn about the average cost to build a garage in Charlotte, NC, and budget for your project.
The best time to lay sod depends on your location and grass type. Cool and rainy seasons like fall and spring are the best time to grow a lawn.
Want a healthy, green lawn fast? Learn how to lay sod in just one day so that its grass grows into a robust lawn you’ll enjoy for many seasons to come.
These practical tips for laying sod will help you achieve a thriving, verdant lawn rather than one that is weed-filled, yellowing, and a waste of money.
