Are you thinking about installing new sod in your residential lawn or for your commercial property? You may be wondering how much it would cost to purchase the sod and have it installed. The truth is, there are a lot of different factors that can go into the price of installing sod.

Here are a few of the factors that can affect the cost of a freshly installed sod lawn:

The Type of Sod

Sod is priced by the square foot and is often sold in rolls, but not all sod is created equal. There are different varieties of grass that have different qualities and can end up costing varying amounts per square foot.

Some of the most popular types for Orlando and the surrounding areas include Zoysia, Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Bahia.

All of these grasses have some level of drought resistance, however some are higher than others. Certain turfgrass types are better for shaded yards and others for full sunlight. Then you can choose from a variety of colors, ranging from light green to a blue-green and grass blade sizes from short and wide to long and narrow. Some grass types are better at resisting bugs. When selecting the type of turfgrass that’s right for your yard, you might find that a more expensive sod will work best, meaning a higher investment upfront, but with the reward of a more successful and lush lawn.

Area to Cover

Obviously the size of your lawn is one of the biggest factors in determining the cost of installation. The larger the square footage, the more sod and labor you’ll need to lay it. Curves, small hills, and other such terrain features can affect the measurements of the area.

Amount of Obstacles

If your property is covered in trees, shrubs, and rocks or is the soil is highly compacted and needs to be rototilled prior to installation, there could be additional costs from some installers.

Professional Installation

Another addition to your cost will be professional installation.

The end result is the biggest advantage for hiring a professional team. A professional team can hide seams, make the ground properly level, work with slopes and handle things like curvy lawn borders and irregularly-shaped lawns.

Other advantages include:

 – Equipment: Professionals already have all the necessary equipment. A DIY sod replacement will require you to purchase or rent equipment.

 – Time: Not only does installing the sod take time, but you also need to account for the time it takes to remove the old lawn, weed, level, grade. Then more time for lugging rolls of sod around to where they need to be, cutting, watering, correcting, and filling in imperfections.

 – Design: What kind of lawn do you want? What species of grass should you buy? How much shade does your yard get? A professional will know what sort of sod does well in our Florida climate and under what conditions.