Residential Sod Installation: Hiring a Professional vs. Doing It Yourself

Benefits of Sod Installation

Installing a sod lawn has many benefits over starting your lawn from seed. Here’s why you should consider using sod:

• Prevents soil erosion
• Creates an instant lawn
• Makes a thicker lawn
• Requires less irrigation

Hiring a Professional for Sod Installation

Hiring a professional sod installation company guarantees an aesthetically appealing lawn, whereas you take your chances on how your lawn will look if you do it yourself. 

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Sod Installer

Here are a few reasons to hire a professional sod installation service:

• Preparing the soil: Improperly preparing the ground or skipping the step altogether can affect the sod taking root. 
• Choosing the right sod: Since there are many types of sod to choose from, a professional knows what works best for your yard.
• Laying the sod: Professional sod installers have the proper equipment and experience to do the job right.
• Maintenance: Skilled professionals know how much and when to water and fertilize.

When searching for residential sod installation in Calgary, look for trusted specialists with years of experience, complete sod installation services, and at least a one-year guarantee on their sod. 

Some common cost considerations for professional sod installation include:

• Yard size
• Amount of grading required
• Soil quality
• Existing obstacles to sod around
• Removal and disposal of an existing lawn

What to Expect During the Sod Installation Process

Here’s what you can expect when your professional lawn care company arrives with your new lawn:

• Remove all weeds and existing grass
• Prep the surface with new topsoil
• Lay the fresh new sod, rolling it out for a beautiful finish
• After installation, they should give you a watering schedule and instructions on how to keep your new sod healthy

DIY Sod Installation

DIY sod installation can get you lush green grass quickly — if you follow the proper steps involved, including how to measure and prepare for sod, installation, and aftercare maintenance. 

Factors to Consider for DIY Sodding

The decision to hire a professional company or DIY a new sod lawn boils down to personal preference. While there’s no right or wrong answer, there are a few things you should consider:

• Time: Cut sod must be laid and watered asap — do you have the time it takes to prepare the site and install the sod before it dies? 
• Physical labour: Can you move large amounts of soil, contour and spread it across the site, fertilize, and lay rolls of sod?
• Materials and equipment: Do you have what you need to do a proper job, like a sod roller, tiller, or fertilizer spreader?
• Cost: DIY can cut your upfront costs, but you must consider the time you spend sourcing materials and installing the lawn. Not to mention that professional companies often offer a guarantee. 

Steps Involved in DIY Sod Installation 

Jump-start your beautiful lawn with the following DIY steps:

• Measure your space and purchase your sod
• Prep and grade the soil
• Lay sod in neat rows
• Fill in gaps
• Press the sod down
• Water and maintain

Comparing the Costs of Professional Sod Installation vs. DIY

Sod is typically sold by the square foot. Pricing varies with self-pickup, delivery, order quantity, or installation by a professional. 

Cost for Professional Installation 

For professional installation cost, please get in touch with us for a Free Quote

Cost Breakdown for DIY Sod Installation in Calgary

Using lawns between 710 sq ft and 2800 sq ft as an example:

• Sod - $0.49 per sqft delivered ($0.41 per sqft self-pickup)
• Pallet deposit of $30.00
• Screened topsoil sold for $30.00 per cubic yard (one cubic yard covers 200 square feet) plus $150.00 delivery
• Tools and equipment rental (if you don’t have your own)
• Labour and waste removal, including your time and expenses, such as gas, renting a truck or trailer to haul the old lawn away, etc

Maintaining and Caring for Newly Installed Sod

Here are a few tips for maintaining your newly installed sod:

Watering

New sod requires a strict watering schedule:

• First week: Three times per day
• Second week: Once per day
• 14 to 21 days: Three times per week
• 22+ days: Two times per week

For more watering and maintenance tips, read our blog post on How To Care for New Sod

Weed Control

You shouldn’t apply any weed control products to newly installed sod. If you have weeds, remove them by hand until you’ve mowed the lawn at least four times.

Mowing

Give the sod a chance to root and wait at least two weeks before mowing sod for the first time. Use a walk-behind mower with a three-inch blade height.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Sod Installation

Some issues can arise when dealing with newly installed sod. The most common ones are:

• Uneven or patchy areas: Both under-watering and over-watering can cause patchy growth. Follow a proper watering schedule and eliminate watering at night to avoid fungus and disease.
• Pests and disease: Chinch bugs and fungus are common ailments for lawns in Calgary. Treating them involves applying a systemic and curative fungicide to kill and prevent fungus and stronger chemicals if you have a chinch bug problem. 
• Damaged or dead sod: If your newly installed sod has brown patches, lift it and put fresh topsoil underneath to promote root attachment. If the grass is dead, you can either cut out the dead area and replace it with a new piece of sod or rake out the dead grass to the soil and scatter grass seed, cover with loose mulch, and keep it watered.

Turn to Scott’s Sod for Residential Sod Installation in Airdrie and Calgary

Sod lawns are a valuable investment in terms of upfront costs, property value, and long-term aesthetics, so you want to make an informed decision regarding professional installation vs DIY. 

Speak with the experts at Scott’s Sod — the best sod installers in Calgary. Or get your FREE sod installation quote today.