2026 Sod Installation Cost in Central Florida (Real Prices + Calculator + Pallet Guide)
Real numbers from a local sod company—not a generic national estimate. In 2026, most Central Florida lawns land between $0.70 and $1.35 per square foot installed depending on grass type, prep work, and access.
Use the calculator below, see pallet coverage, compare Bahia vs St Augustine vs Zoysia, and understand what landscape companies near you are actually charging in 2026.
Real Sod Installation Prices in 2026 (Central Florida)
If you typed “grass company near me”, “landscape companies nearby”, or “sod installation near me”, you’re probably trying to figure out whether your yard will be a $700 project or a $7,000 project.
For a typical Central Florida home in 2026:
- Small front yard (400–600 sq ft): roughly $350 – $800 installed
- Average full yard (1,000–2,000 sq ft): $900 – $2,600 installed
- Large property (4,000–7,000 sq ft): $3,000 – $7,000+ installed
The biggest levers are sod type (Bahia vs St Augustine vs Zoysia), how much grading or old grass removal is needed, and whether irrigation upgrades are included.
Sod Installation Cost per Square Foot (Installed)
These are current 2026 ranges for full-service sod installation in Central Florida— material, prep, and labor included:
| Sod Type | Installed Price (per sq ft) | Typical Use | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahia Most economical | $0.70 – $0.80 | Large yards, rental homes, utility areas | Very drought-tolerant, low input, tough | More “country” look, can be thinner and less lush |
| St Augustine ProVista Most popular | $0.90 – $1.10 | Main residential lawns and shady yards | Lush, wide blades, good shade tolerance | Needs regular irrigation and fertilization |
| Zoysia Premium | $1.00 – $1.35 | High-end lawns, play areas, showcase yards | Dense, carpet-like, handles traffic well | Higher upfront cost, must be installed correctly |
Note: Prices assume reasonable access for equipment, normal grading, and standard prep. Steep slopes, tight gates, or heavy debris removal can adjust the final quote.
Sod Cost Calculator (2026)
Use this quick calculator to get a realistic range before you call a sod or landscape company near you. We show the low and high end of each grass type based on 2026 pricing.
This is a rough installed range based on current 2026 sod pricing. We’ll confirm on-site after checking grading, access, irrigation and any landscape extras.
Pallet Guide & Yard Examples
Most sod is sold and delivered on pallets. A standard pallet in Central Florida typically covers:
- ≈ 450 sq ft per pallet (most Bahia, St Augustine, Zoysia)
- Add 10% extra for cuts, corners, and curves
Quick examples:
- 600 sq ft front yard → ~1.5 pallets → we round to 2 pallets
- 1,500 sq ft yard → ~3.5 pallets → usually 4 pallets
- 3,000 sq ft property → ~7 pallets
Unsure of your square footage? Drop a pin on your yard in a map app or text us photos and we’ll estimate it for you.
Sod vs Seed vs “Let It Grow Back” in Florida
Sod installation
Best when: you want an instant lawn and clean curb appeal.
- Instant full coverage
- Can control variety (Bahia, ProVista, Zoysia)
- Great for home value and resale photos
Grass seed / “patch and pray”
Best when: you have time, patience, and ideal conditions.
- Cheaper material cost
- Longer time to fill in
- Can fail with Florida heat, weeds, or heavy rain
Do nothing / mow weeds
Best when: you’re just keeping a rental barely acceptable.
- Lowest cost now
- Highest frustration later
- Usually leads to a full sod job later anyway
Yard & Landscape Services Often Bundled with Sod
Your ad data is basically the internet yelling questions like “yard services near me”, “landscapers near me”, “landscape maintenance services”, and “lawn fertilizer and weed control services”. All of those usually fall into a few clear buckets:
Sod Installation & Grading
- Kill and remove old grass and weeds
- Rough and finish grading for drainage
- Deliver and lay Bahia, ProVista, or Zoysia
- Roll, water in, and set first irrigation schedule
Landscape Maintenance
For all the “landscape maintenance near me” searches.
- Lawn mowing and edging
- Routine fertilizer and weed control
- Bed cleanup and mulch refresh
- Pruning and basic shrub care
Irrigation & Sprinklers
For “landscape irrigation companies near me” and “water irrigation companies” searches.
- New sprinkler system design and install
- Head adjustments and coverage checks
- Timer programming for new sod
- Leak and valve repairs
Weed & Lawn Treatments
For all the “lawn weed services” and “lawn treatment service” queries.
- Targeted weed control programs
- Lawn fertilizer schedule tuned to Florida soil
- Spot treatments for problem patches
- Ongoing turf health check-ins
Xeriscape & Low-Water Front Yards in Florida
Searches like “xeriscape Florida front yard” and “Florida outdoor landscape design” usually come from homeowners tired of fighting the hose and the fertilizer bag.
A Florida-friendly or xeriscape front yard might mix:
- Smaller, strategic sod areas (walkways, play zones)
- Rock, gravel, or shell beds to cut watering needs
- Native or drought-tolerant plants
- Stronger edging so rock and turf stay separated
These projects price more like custom landscaping. We’ll help you decide where sod makes sense, and where you’re better off with beds, rock, or pavers.
Our Sod & Landscaping Process
Whether you found us under “landscapers near me”, “yard companies near me” or “osceola sod”, the process looks nearly the same:
Conversation & photos
You text or email photos, rough measurements, and what you want: full sod, partial sod, xeriscape, or ongoing maintenance.
On-site visit
We check slope, access, sprinklers, soil condition, and any tree or shade issues. This is where we confirm whether Bahia, ProVista, or Zoysia makes the most sense.
Final quote
You get a clear line-item estimate: prep, pallets, installation, optional irrigation, and any extras like beds, rock, or tree work.
Kill & prep
We spray or remove existing turf and weeds, grade for drainage, and fix any major low spots that would collect water.
Sod delivery & install
Sod is delivered fresh, laid in a staggered pattern, tightly butted, rolled, and watered in. Edges and driveway transitions are cleaned up as we go.
Watering schedule & care
We set a watering schedule for the first 14 days, explain traffic restrictions, and give you clear mowing and fertilizer timing.
Optional maintenance
For many “yard services nearby” searches, this is where we plug you into routine mowing, weed control, and seasonal cleanups.
Where We Install Sod & Provide Landscape Services
We’re a local Central Florida company—not a national call center. If you’ve searched for landscape companies in Florida or sod companies in Osceola County, you’re in our wheelhouse.
Primary service areas
Typical projects from local searches
- “grass service near me” → full sod + basic irrigation
- “landscape maintenance services” → mowing + treatments
- “patio landscapers near me” → sod + rock + pavers
- “provista st augustine” → shaded front yard installs
2026 Sod & Landscape FAQs
In warm months, most sod will tack down in about 10–14 days. You can test by gently trying to lift a corner—if it resists, roots are grabbing. Full deep rooting can take 4–6 weeks, so keep watering and avoid heavy traffic during that time.
No. Laying sod over old turf is one of the fastest ways to waste money. The existing grass and thatch block roots from reaching soil, and you end up with dead sod on top of weeds. We always kill or remove the old lawn and prep the soil first.
Yes. Bahia is usually the lowest-cost option per square foot installed. It’s tougher and less thirsty but won’t look as lush as ProVista or Zoysia. For big lots, rental properties, or utility areas, it’s usually the best value.
St Augustine ProVista is still the go-to choice for many residential yards because it balances shade tolerance, color, and feel underfoot. If you want a “Florida front yard” look, ProVista sod is usually the default unless your property suggests otherwise.
For the first 10–14 days, new sod needs to stay consistently moist—usually 2–3 light waterings per day depending on weather and soil. After roots grab, we gradually transition to deeper, less frequent watering for long-term health.
Usually after about 2–3 weeks, once the sod is rooted and has grown enough to need a trim. Set your mower high, make sure the ground is firm, and avoid sharp turns that could tear seams.
Yes. Many customers searching “lawn maintenance services” or “lawn weed services” end up on a maintenance plan after we install sod. That can include mowing, weed control, fertilization, and seasonal landscaping.
Yes. Many “patio landscapers near me” or “backyard contractors” searches turn into projects where we combine pavers, rock beds, and sod. We plan them together so the lawn and hardscape look intentional instead of patched together.
Ready for a Real 2026 Sod Quote?
If you’re done guessing and scrolling through landscape companies nearby, we’ll give you a clear price and a clear plan.
Call or text: (407) 674-2841
You can send yard photos, a rough square footage estimate, or just say “I need sod” and we’ll walk you through it.
