Sod Installation Cost in Central Florida
For most people in the Spring Hill, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus County area who choose to have sod installed it will run from $1.00-$2.00 per square foot installed. This includes the cost of the sod, delivery, removal of existing grass if needed, preparation of the soil and installation. On a normal quarter acre Florida lot that contains around 5,000 square feet of lawn most homeowners spend somewhere between $5,000-$10,000 depending on the variety of grass they choose and how much yard prep is needed.
That spread is large and the truth is there is no good reason except that no two yards calculate costs the same. A level, sandy area in Spring Hill with truck access and dead St. Augustine that rakes out effortlessly is on the low end. A hill in Brooksville with mature oak trees to work around, irrigation heads to save and a thick mat of old St. Augustine that needs to be cut out and trimmed up for haul away is on the high end. This page itemizes exactly where your hard earned dollars go so you can read your quote with a little knowledge.
What a Full-Service Sod Installation Includes
Unless you live in the country, an honest installation quote here should include five services: measuring and grading the area, killing/removing existing grass, tilling/top-dressing the soil, laying fresh sod tight with staggered seams, and rolling for soil-to-sod contact. One last thing your quote should include is watering instructions for the first thirty days. If your quote doesn't mention this, that's because SWFWMD mandated watering days in this district dictate how new sod must be established here. So if your quote is significantly lower than what others you receive, investigate which of the five services it quietly omits. Sod laid right on top of dead grass will fail, and ripping out a failed lawn installation costs more than getting it done right the first time.
Cost by Grass Variety
The variety of grass you choose will affect the cost more than any other individual decision. St. Augustine Floratam is the workhorse grass of Pasco and Hernando counties. The average install price is usually the least expensive at about 35 to 55 cents per square foot for material only. Zoysia is more expensive, averaging 50 to 80 cents per square foot. It's worth every penny if you need shade tolerance and a thick, carpet like blade of grass. Bahia grass is the go-to inexpensive option for large rural properties that get full sun. You can usually get it for 30 to 45 cents per square foot. Bahia tolerates drought better than any grass we offer. Bermuda retails around the same price as Zoysia. You typically see it on lawns that are mowed very short. Remember material is only part of the cost of installation. Labor/prep/disposal is included in the rest of the price.
| Variety | Material Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bahia | 30-45¢ / sq ft | Large rural lots, full sun, drought tolerance |
| St. Augustine Floratam | 35-55¢ / sq ft | The Pasco/Hernando workhorse — traditional dense lawns |
| Zoysia | 50-80¢ / sq ft | Shade tolerance, thick carpet-like blade |
| Bermuda | 50-80¢ / sq ft | Lawns mowed very short |
Compare varieties in detail on our sod types guide.
Pallet Math
Sod here in Florida is sold by pallet. A pallet covers roughly 400-450 sq ft depending on where you go. So for a 5,000 sq ft lawn you are looking at approximately 11-13 pallets. Prices here locally for delivered pallets run anywhere from $160-$260 for Saint Augustine. More for Zoysia. Also keep in mind if you are looking at comparing a materials only price to an installed price. The installed price has to pay for removal of existing turf, transfer station disposal fees, any soil work, labor and the warranty that goes along with it.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
Removal of existing lawn is the biggest variable. Removal of an existing lawn (cutting it up and hauling it away) can cost 30 to 60 cents per square foot alone. Deeply rooted St. Augustine yard will take more machine time than a sandy lawn with thin grass. Another example would be grade: If there is water puddling against your house or large ruts in yard, it must be leveled before installing new sod. Adjustments to irrigation, capping or relocating heads can cost a few hundred dollars extra on most jobs as well. Ease of access is often an overlooked variable. If a pallet fork cannot fit in your backyard, all materials must be hand carried through a gate on a wheelbarrow. Labor hours increase dramatically. Lastly, smaller jobs have minimum charges because it costs the company the same to deploy crews and equipment, while a large job will pay a much lower rate per foot.
Average Project Totals We Encounter
Small repair (1-2 pallets)
$400 - $900 installed
Front yard renovation (~1,500 sq ft)
$1,800 - $3,200 installed
Full lawn replacement (4,000-6,000 sq ft)
$4,500 - $10,000 installed
6,000+ sq ft / commercial
Measured quote — starts higher
Price ranges are what you should expect to pay when you plan a project. They are not prices we will quote you. The only price that matters is next to your measured job and we provide that service free of charge.
DIY Versus a Crew
You save labor, which is real money, but there are three pitfalls that can bite the novice when working in this environment. Sod is a perishable product; a pallet placed in your FL driveway in July is cooking within hours, so you must have the entire yard laid that day it arrives. Prep work is hard labor and rented equipment such as sod cutters and tillers can devour your savings. Lastly, the battle of watering enough in the first month against assigned-day watering restrictions is what kills most DIY lawns. If you are only doing a couple of pallets and your soil is already prepared, by all means DIY. Beyond that threshold risk of failure generally costs more than what the crew will charge.
Budgeting Tips
- Choose the variety that will thrive in your yard rather than what pictures nice online; planting grass beneath trees that offer no sun will ensure you will have to come back.
- Be accurate with your measurement. It's quite simple and best accurate with two people: rounding up that 4,200 square foot lawn to 5,000 wastes two pallets of product you didn't need.
- Be flexible on your schedule. If the crew has availability in your time frame they may be able to tack your job onto a route day which can save you money.
- Pull any DIY demolition you are capable of first. A yard that is free of debris and already raked will save machine time when quoting.
Why Our Prices Differ From National Averages
National cost guides average markets totally unrelated to ours. We use Florida sand, not clay. We work in weather that allows year round installation. We source our own farm supply for St. Augustine and Bahia. We factor in disposal costs and fuel prices local to the Nature Coast. In general that means good news for you: installed prices here in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties tend to be lower than what the same job goes for in the Tampa metro area. Especially on labor and disposal.
Common Questions
How much does it cost to lay sod in my entire yard?
Prices for a full yard sod installation on most single family lots we service range from $4,500-$10,000 installed. Prices are determined by square footage, type of sod and how much existing lawn needs to be removed.
Does it save me money to pick up sod by pallet and lay it myself?
Based solely on materials, yes. When you figure in equipment rental, trash runs and the potential for losing any sod that perishes before you lay it, the price difference quickly closes on more than 2 pallets of sod.
What type of sod is the least expensive but still looks good?
Bahia grass is the cheapest, and actually looks great on bigger lots with full sun exposure. Floratam St. Augustine is the best bang for your buck if you're looking for a traditional thick, green lawn.
Does your price include removing existing grass?
Yes, ours does when the job calls for it, and we include it on the quote as a line item. You have to make sure if hiring multiple companies as this is the number 1 hidden expense between two quotes.
When's the best time of year to have sod installed?
Prices don't typically fluctuate here because Florida installs sod year-round, but the farms have more availability and it's easier to schedule if you're not in the Spring rush.
When can I walk on my new sod?
You can walk on it after about 2 weeks, but wait to mow until the blade of grass resists your gentle tug, usually 2-3 weeks.
Know What You Are Paying Before You Pay
Estimates come with ranges, your quote from us will be measured, itemized and upfront about preparation that needs to occur. We have been installing sod throughout Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties since 2008, we are licensed & insured and best of all our estimates are free. Give us a call or submit a quote online and we will walk your yard, take measurements the right way and provide you with a number that won't change once the trucks arrive.