Sod Installation Cost in Columbus [2025 Data]

A picture-perfect, lush, green lawn takes a lot of work, but installing sod can give homeowners a head start. The cost to install sod in Columbus, Ohio, ranges between $864 and $2,620, with the average homeowner paying around $1,742. Knowing what factors affect how much you’ll pay can help you budget for this project, so we break down some of the common things that contribute to the total cost of sod installation in Columbus. 

Sod Installation Cost Factors 

If you’re trying to decide between sod and seed to start your Columbus, Ohio, lawn, you’ll need to know what affects the cost of sod installation. Your yard size, the type of grass you choose, and how much prep work your yard needs all play a part in 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:

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. You can use a sod installation calculator to determine exactly how much sod you’ll need. 

Sod Delivery

The price of professionally installed sod will usually include the cost of delivery, but if you’re installing the sod yourself, you’ll need to pay to have it delivered. Sod delivery charges can average between $50 and $300, depending on how much sod is being delivered, how far the delivery trip is, and more. 

Types of Sod Grass

Not all kinds of sod grass will thrive in Columbus’s hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Hardy, cold-tolerant grasses like fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass thrive in the Columbus area, so they should be your first choices when it comes to selecting a type of sod grass. 

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

Before you install sod, you’ll need to prepare your yard so the sod takes root and thrives. Except in rare cases, you’ll need to remove your old grass first, and your lawn may need additional prep like clearing it of rocks and vegetation, preparing the soil with amendments or herbicide, adding topsoil, and more. Here are some standard sod installation prep services and how much they’ll cost.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Handy homeowners may choose to tackle sod installation as a DIY, but hiring a local sod installation pro in Columbus will give your sod the best chance of taking root and thriving. A qualified pro can answer your sod installation questions, advise you on the best time to lay sod, and provide professional results and a great-looking lawn. 

Permit Costs

In most cases, you won’t need a permit to install sod in Columbus unless your project involves excavation or significant grading work. Check with your sod installation pro or the city’s Building and Zoning Services department to confirm if you need a permit before beginning work. 

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Sod installation can offer a return on investment (ROI) of up to 100%, making it a great investment in your home’s curb appeal. Sod not only prevents erosion and gives you a lush, green lawn, but it can also be a big plus when it comes time to sell your house, making it more appealing to potential buyers. Major landscaping projects like sod installation can add significant value and make your home easier to sell, making the higher up-front cost of sod worth it.

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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