St. Augustine grass sod typically costs $0.35-$0.85 per square foot for the grass alone, or about $1.00-$2.50 per square foot installed. Lawn size, sod variety, ground preparation, delivery distance, and local labor rates drive the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sod only | $0.35 per sq ft | $0.60 per sq ft | $0.85 per sq ft | Common varieties, before delivery |
| Installed lawn | $1.00 per sq ft | $1.65 per sq ft | $2.50 per sq ft | Includes typical labor and basic preparation |
| 1,000-sq-ft project | $1,000 | $1,650 | $2,500 | May cost more if removal or grading is needed |
| Delivery | $75 | $150 | $300 | Varies by distance, load, and supplier |
What St. Augustine sod costs per square foot
For a straightforward installation, homeowners often pay $1.00-$2.50 per square foot, including sod, basic site preparation, and installation. A 500-square-foot lawn may total $500-$1,250, while 2,000 square feet may cost $2,000-$5,000. Larger, open lawns generally have a lower installed rate per square foot than small jobs with access constraints.
Grass-only prices usually fall between $0.35 and $0.85 per square foot. Floratam is a common, often lower-cost choice in warm regions; newer or less widely stocked cultivars can cost more. Assumptions: standard sod, accessible yard, ordinary soil, and no major drainage correction. For a typical 1,000-square-foot lawn, a practical installed budget is about $1,000-$2,500.
How sod, labor, and site preparation shape the quote
A contractor’s estimate may bundle several costs into one installed rate. The breakdown below shows common ranges for a 1,000-square-foot project; local bids can vary depending on the site and whether work is priced by area or as a minimum charge.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Augustine sod | $350-$850 | $0.35-$0.85 per sq ft | Cultivar, quality, and availability |
| Labor and laying | $350-$900 | $0.35-$0.90 per sq ft | Yard access and crew productivity |
| Soil preparation | $150-$600 | $0.15-$0.60 per sq ft | Weed clearing, tilling, and leveling |
| Delivery and disposal | $75-$500 | Per load or removal area | Distance and old-turf volume |
| Overhead and warranty | $100-$400 | Job allowance | Business costs and coverage terms |
Labor is sometimes estimated from crew hours rather than square footage. At $40-$75 per worker-hour, a three-person crew working 5-8 hours represents $600-$1,800 in labor before any bundled pricing or separate equipment charges. Ask whether the quote includes soil preparation, delivery, and removal, not just sod placement.
How lawn size, cultivar, and soil change the price
Job size can change the unit rate: a project under 500 square feet may have a $250-$600 minimum, while a 2,000-square-foot open area may receive a lower per-square-foot labor rate. Narrow side yards, slopes, fenced access, and many tree roots slow installation and can add $0.15-$0.50 per square foot.
Variety matters, but local supply matters too. A standard cultivar may be available for $0.35-$0.60 per square foot, while specialty or premium sod may reach $0.65-$0.85. St. Augustine is commonly sold by the pallet; pallet coverage varies, so confirm the supplier’s stated square footage and order roughly 5%-10% extra for cuts and irregular edges. Soil corrections, such as adding topsoil or addressing poor drainage, can add $0.20-$1.00 per square foot. Confirm the cultivar and measured coverage before comparing per-pallet quotes.
How long a 1,000-square-foot sod job takes
A clear, level 1,000-square-foot lawn may take a three-person crew about 5-8 hours to prepare and sod. Removing established grass, moving sod through a narrow gate, or correcting grade can extend work to a full day or longer. Contractors may charge $40-$75 per worker-hour for smaller repairs, though most full installations use a project price.
Installation is only part of the work. The soil generally needs watering before laying, and new sod needs frequent irrigation while roots establish. A contractor may charge $50-$150 for an initial watering setup or sprinkler adjustment if it is outside the installation scope. Clarify how many labor hours and preparation tasks the bid includes.
Removal, grading, and delivery charges to check
Removing existing turf may add $0.30-$0.80 per square foot, with disposal often adding $100-$300 depending on volume and local fees. Basic leveling is commonly included or costs $0.15-$0.60 per square foot; substantial grading, topsoil, or drainage work is priced separately and can push the project above the typical installed range.
Delivery may be a flat $75-$300, or included above a supplier’s minimum order. Long delivery distances, small orders, and restricted drop-off access can increase charges. Ask whether the crew unloads and distributes pallets or leaves them at the curb. Get removal, hauling, grading, and delivery listed separately so added work is visible.
Why Florida and Texas quotes can differ
St. Augustine sod is most common in warm-weather markets, but prices still vary by local supply and labor. A Florida or Gulf Coast project near a sod farm may run 5%-15% below an otherwise similar job in a distant metro area. In higher-cost urban markets, limited contractor availability or longer hauling routes can add 10%-25%; rural areas may have lower labor rates but higher delivery charges.
Season also affects availability. Spring and early summer are busy installation periods, and high demand can raise labor quotes or limit cultivar choices. Extreme heat, drought restrictions, or wet ground may delay work. Compare local quotes for the same sod variety, measured area, and preparation scope.
St. Augustine sod versus plugs for a smaller lawn
Sod provides near-immediate lawn coverage but costs more upfront. Plugs can cost roughly $0.10-$0.40 each, with total installed costs often around $0.50-$1.50 per square foot depending on spacing and labor. They take longer to fill in and may need weed control during establishment. Seed is generally not a practical substitute because most St. Augustine varieties are established vegetatively rather than from reliable lawn seed.
For a bare 1,000-square-foot area, sod can cost $1,000-$2,500 installed, while plugs may fit a tighter budget if slower coverage is acceptable. For patching a few damaged spots, plugs or small sod pieces may avoid the minimum charge for a complete installation. Compare the time to full coverage as well as the initial price.
How to lower the St. Augustine installation bill
Measure the lawn accurately and remove movable items before the crew arrives. Clear access can reduce labor time, while ordering from a nearby supplier can limit hauling fees. Keep healthy existing grass where possible, and request separate prices for removal, grading, topsoil, and irrigation adjustments rather than accepting unspecified add-ons.
Compare at least three itemized bids using the same square footage and sod cultivar. Ask about pallet coverage, delivery minimums, cleanup, and any warranty conditions, including required watering. Avoid paying extra for upgrades that do not address a site need, but do not skip drainage or leveling problems that could undermine the new lawn. Reducing unnecessary prep and delivery costs is safer than cutting the sod quantity or ignoring poor soil conditions.