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Sod Installation Cost in Raleigh [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $1,468 - $3,786
The average cost to install sod in Raleigh, North Carolina is $2,627. Depending on sod type, yard size, and prep, most spend between $1,468 and $3,786.
How we get this data
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: welcomia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
Installing sod in your Raleigh yard can provide a lush, healthy lawn without waiting for seed to grow.
Warm-weather grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia grass are good choices to thrive in Raleigh’s warm climate.
The cost of sod installation depends on yard size, grass type, labor costs, and more.
Want a lush, green lawn for your Raleigh home but don’t want to wait weeks or months for seed to fully grow in? Installing sod is a shortcut to a beautiful, verdant yard. The average cost to install sod in Raleigh is between $1,468 and $3,786, with the average homeowner paying around $2,627. Take a look at some of the things that affect how much sod installation costs.
Sod Installation Cost Factors
The cost to install sod in Raleigh, North Carolina, depends on several different factors, including yard size, type of sod grass, site preparation, labor costs, and more. We break down some of the factors that affect how much you’ll pay for 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 | $625–$1,650 | $1,275–$2,925 |
| 1,000 | $1,250–$3,300 | $2,550–$5,850 |
| 1,500 | $1,875–$4,950 | $3,825–$8,775 |
| 2,000 | $2,500–$6,600 | $5,100–$11,700 |
| 3,000 | $3,750–$9,900 | $7,650–$17,550 |
| 4,000 | $5,000–$13,200 | $10,200–$23,400 |
| 5,000 | $6,250–$16,500 | $12,750–$29,250 |
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.
Using a sod calculator can help you accurately determine how much sod you need. A pallet of sod covers between 400 and 500 square feet, so once you’ve calculated how many square feet you need, you’ll know how many pallets you require.
Sod Delivery
When you hire a landscape pro to install your sod, delivery charges will be included in the project quote. If you’re DIYing the project, expect to pay a sod delivery charge between $75 and $400, depending on the amount of sod you order, the distance the delivery truck needs to travel, and how accessible your property is.
Types of Sod Grass
Tanya / Adobe Stock, ingjai / Adobe Stock, Jennifer Smith / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Brittney / Adobe Stock
Raleigh’s humid subtropical climate brings hot, humid summers, cool winters, and moderate weather the rest of the year. Not all types of sod grass will be successful in Raleigh, so it’s important to choose a grass type that thrives in the local weather conditions.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | $1.35–$2.85 | Sun-, heat-, and drought-tolerant | May aggressively spread, not cold-tolerant |
| Centipede | $1.75–$2.85 | Low-maintenance, can control weed growth | Needs full sun exposure, doesn’t stand up to heavy foot traffic |
| St. Augustine | $1.35–$2.75 | Tolerant to high heat and humidity, low-maintenance | Not drought- or cold-tolerant, won’t withstand heavy foot traffic |
| Zoysia | $1.40–$2.85 | Drought-, shade-, and heat-tolerant, resistant to pests and disease | High 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.
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
Unfortunately, sod can’t just be installed as is—you’ll need to prepare your lawn before installation. You’ll need to remove old grass and weeds, clear out rocks, stumps, and unwanted vegetation, level the yard, and prep the soil. Here are a few common sod prep steps and how much they cost.
| 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 |
Sod Installation Pro Costs
Landscape Pro Costs
Hiring a landscaping pro in Raleigh, North Carolina, to install sod costs an average of $35 to $75 per hour in labor costs. A qualified sod installation pro can answer all your sod installation questions, advise you on the best way to keep your sod healthy and thriving, and provide professional results and a lawn that’s the envy of all your neighbors.
Permit Costs
In most cases, you won’t need a permit to install sod in Raleigh unless your project includes major regrading or installing new irrigation or drainage. Check with Raleigh’s Planning and Development Department or your sod installation contractor before beginning work to confirm whether you need a permit.
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.
Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?
Sod, when compared to seed, is more expensive to install, but you can recoup your initial costs in addition to having the immediate gratification of a green, healthy lawn. Like many major landscaping projects, sod installation offers a return on investment (ROI) of up to 100%. Sod not only boosts your curb appeal but also helps prevent erosion and makes your home more attractive to potential buyers when it’s time to sell.
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