Sod Installation Cost in Houston [2025 Data]

Sod installation costs in Houston average $1,613, and most homeowners pay between $824 and $2,408. The size of the area you’re looking to cover and the condition of the existing land are the most significant cost factors to consider. The species of sod you choose can also play a minor role. St. Augustine grass is the most common in Houston and costs between $1.35 and $2.75 per square foot to install.

Sod Installation Cost Factors

Installing sod in Houston, Texas, could cost as little as $300, but some residents pay as much as $4,500 or more. Your price will depend mainly on the area you want to cover and whether or not you need to remove existing grass.

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. On average, Houston residents pay between $1 and $3 per square foot for sod installation, including materials and labor, but costs can climb to $4.50 or more.

The average property size in Houston is 0.15 acres, so installing sod to cover an entire plot in Houston would average between $6,500 and $19,500. Most projects in the city are significantly smaller, so you can use a sod calculator or the table below to get a better idea of your total based on the square footage you want covered.

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.

Sod Delivery

Delivery costs for sod range from $65 to $230 per pallet, and each pallet will cover 400 to 500 square feet. For the average sod project in Houston, delivery costs can add between $65 and $700. You may be able to avoid delivery costs if you have a truck capable of hauling heavy loads, but be prepared to spend a few hours and a lot of effort loading, hauling, and unloading the materials.

Types of Sod Grass

Just like with grass seed, sod is available in a variety of species, and the one you choose can affect your pricing, as well as the longevity and durability of your new lawn. Houston has a very hot and sunny climate and is prone to droughts, so it’s crucial that you choose a sod species that can handle these conditions. St. Augustine grass is the most popular grass species in Texas and costs between $1.35 and $2.75 per square foot. Bermuda grass is slightly more drought-tolerant, although it’s a bit more expensive and can spread to unwanted areas.

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.

"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, 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

You may need to consider some additional preparation costs to ensure your yard is ready for sod installation. Most homeowners will need to pay for old lawn removal, which adds $1 to $2 per square foot to your total. The soil in Houston has a high clay content, so aeration can help loosen compaction and give the roots a better chance of taking hold. Ask your sod installer if you’d benefit from fertilizer or herbicide treatments or topsoil amendments. You can also consider land clearing or leveling to get the yard of your dreams.

Sod Installation Pro Costs

If you hire a professional sod service in Houston, an average of 50% of your total, or $800, will go toward labor alone. It’s expensive to have a professional do the work for you, but an expert will leave you with the best-looking lawn possible and can help you make the right choice when it comes to the sod species you choose and the amendments you need to give your sod the best chance of taking root.

The City of Houston doesn’t require permits for sod installation, so you won’t need to budget for permit fees. However, if you’re coupling your sod installation with other landscaping projects, like installing in-ground sprinklers, putting in a pool, or adding a concrete patio or walkway, you’ll need to pay permit fees for those other projects.

Does Sod Installation Increase Home Value?

Installing sod is one of the fastest ways to get a beautiful-looking lawn, and since sod will improve your curb appeal instantly, it will also boost your home value. You can see an average return on investment (ROI) of between 100% and 150% from sod installation, which means an average value increase of between $1,600 and $2,400 in Houston.

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.