Sod Installation Cost in Portland, Oregon [2025 Data]

If you want a picture-perfect Portland lawn, installing sod is a straightforward way to achieve the lush lawn of your dreams without having to wait for seed to grow. Installing sod in Portland costs an average of $2,510, and most homeowners pay between $1,375 and $3,763 for sod installation. How much you pay for sod installation depends on various factors, which we explore below.

Sod Installation Cost Factors 

The cost of sod installation in Portland, OR, is based on how big your yard is, whether you’re installing a new lawn or replacing an existing one, what type of grass you choose, labor costs, and more. Take a look at some of the factors that affect how much your sod installation project will cost. 

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 also use a sod calculator to figure out how much sod to order without wasting materials. 

Sod Delivery

If you decide to take on sod installation as a DIY project, you’ll need to pay to have the sod delivered to your home. Sod delivery costs can vary between $65 and $400, depending on the amount of sod, how far you live from the delivery location, and how accessible your property is. 

Types of Sod Grass

Portland’s climate, with its mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, only allows some kinds of sod grass to thrive. Fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass are hardy cool-season grasses that are well suited to Portland’s climate and can stay hardy in the area’s wide range of weather conditions. 

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

A successful sod installation requires proper prep—from clearing and leveling your yard to treating the soil so it’s ready to encourage the sod to take root. Below are some common sod prep services and how much you can expect to pay for them.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

Landscape Pro Costs

Unless you’re experienced in sod installation, hire a local landscaper in Portland, OR, to install your sod. Labor costs for Portland landscapers average between $50 and $100 per hour. A landscape pro who specializes in sod installation will ensure the project goes smoothly, from preparing your yard to installing the sod and answering all your sod installation questions. 

Permit Costs

If you’re regrading or excavating your yard as part of your sod installation project, you may need to obtain a permit from Portland Permitting and Development. Permit fees depend on the type and scope of the project, so confirm with the city or your landscape contractor to ensure all necessary permits have been pulled and fees have been paid before you begin work. 

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

If you’re deciding between sod and seed for your lawn makeover, the higher initial cost of sod may give you pause, but this is a project with a high return on investment (ROI)—you can recoup up to 100% of your up-front costs when you install sod. A healthy, weed-free, well-established lawn can be a big plus for potential homebuyers, too, allowing you to ask a higher price when it comes time to sell due to your home’s improved 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. 

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