How much does it cost to sod your yard? (new home, landscaping)

[rubynicholson77056]

We are building a new home and the builder charges $1200 to sod the backyard (the front is included in the purchase price). Wondering how much it would be to go through a landscaping company. The backyard measures around 260 sq ft. Is the $1200 a good deal? Thanks for your replies!!!

[Aliana926]

I say, do it after you close. That way you're not stuck with paying interest for the $1200.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by rubynicholson77056

We are building a new home and the builder charges $1200 to sod the backyard (the front is included in the purchase price). Wondering how much it would be to go through a landscaping company. The backyard measures around 260 sq ft. Is the $1200 a good deal? Thanks for your replies!!!

The actual cost of sod is about 14 cents per square foot. So do the math. You would be in for about $3600 for the cost of the sod. The Landscaper that the Builder uses charges them about $7000. The builder marks that up almost 100% thus the price the Builder quoted you.

So you can find the Landscaper who works in that tract and hit them up directly or go with the Builder. The advantage of the Builder doing it is you dont have to come up with the money. You put it into the mortgage. Going with the Lanscaper you would have to come up with the cash up front.

You could also call around to the local sod suppliers. Buy and have it delivered to your home. Go grab some of those day laborers from Home Depot parking lot who work for $50 a day. Any decent 4 men can lay 260 sf ft in 4 hours. This is what most Lanscapers o anyway.

[chris_ut]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

The actual cost of sod is about 14 cents per square foot. So do the math. You would be in for about $3600 for the cost of the sod. The Landscaper that the Builder uses charges them about $7000. The builder marks that up almost 100% thus the price the Builder quoted you.

So you can find the Landscaper who works in that tract and hit them up directly or go with the Builder. The advantage of the Builder doing it is you dont have to come up with the money. You put it into the mortgage. Going with the Lanscaper you would have to come up with the cash up front.

You could also call around to the local sod suppliers. Buy and have it delivered to your home. Go grab some of those day laborers from Home Depot parking lot who work for $50 a day. Any decent 4 men can lay 260 sf ft in 4 hours. This is what most Lanscapers o anyway.

Ummm, at 14 cent a sq ft your looking at $36.40 for 260 sq ft. That being said the OP probably meant 2600 sq. ft. Also the builder quoted him $1200 and your saying the builder is paying the landscaper $7000. I am thinking there is a math error or two in here somewhere...

[rubynicholson77056]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Ummm, at 14 cent a sq ft your looking at $36.40 for 260 sq ft. That being said the OP probably meant 2600 sq. ft. Also the builder quoted him $1200 and your saying the builder is paying the landscaper $7000. I am thinking there is a math error or two in here somewhere...

No I meant 260 sq ft...that is the size of the backyard, not the total size of the lot.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by rubynicholson77056

No I meant 260 sq ft...that is the size of the backyard, not the total size of the lot.

That has to be the smallest back yard I have ever seen for a home. I'm not poking fun, just giving my honest opinion. 260 square feet is 26 feet by 10 feet. That's not a whole lot larger than the average living room.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Ummm, at 14 cent a sq ft your looking at $36.40 for 260 sq ft. That being said the OP probably meant 2600 sq. ft. Also the builder quoted him $1200 and your saying the builder is paying the landscaper $7000. I am thinking there is a math error or two in here somewhere...

You are right. Sod does indeed cost 14 cents a SF. My math also showed $36.40 but thought I missed a decimal so just posted $3600 which seems more like it. 260 SF would indeed cost you $36.40. For that little space one might as well buy artificial grass at $6/SF and never have to worry about mowing or watering. Artificial would cost about $1560 but it stays green and lasts forever. You can also buy a cheaper artificial grass then this but it looks it too.

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by rubynicholson77056

No I meant 260 sq ft...that is the size of the backyard, not the total size of the lot.

that is too small not to do yourself. normally a 2x2 sod patch is $0.88. if your builder puts enough top soil then all you do is lay (even roll) the sod and water it

[rubynicholson77056]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

That has to be the smallest back yard I have ever seen for a home. I'm not poking fun, just giving my honest opinion. 260 square feet is 26 feet by 10 feet. That's not a whole lot larger than the average living room.

Maybe I am wrong...I was going off of the sheet that the builder gave me that "tries" to show you how the house will fit on the lot. It is average size and much bigger than an average living area...maybe I read it wrong!!!

[rubynicholson77056]

The lot is a 55" lot.