$50,000–$75,000 · 5 weeks
Pecan grove backyard, Seguin
Near the Guadalupe River, Seguin · finished 2025 · led by Jen Alvarez
Landscaping · from $1.60–$2.80 per sq ft
Sod installation in New Braunfels and Seguin
We install sod where grass makes sense: a play lawn, a dog run, a panel that sets off planting beds. We don't sell wall-to-wall lawn on a rocky slope or under a live oak, because it will fail there and you'll pay for it twice.
When we do lay sod, the work is in the ground underneath. We strip the old turf, regrade so water runs away from the house, till in compost, roll the surface firm and lay sod tight with staggered seams. Then we set the sprinklers to an establishment schedule and come back to check the roots have knitted.
Who it's for
Who sod installation is for
New builds in Seguin, New Braunfels and San Marcos with bare dirt or patchy builder sod. Families who need a durable lawn for kids and dogs. Yards being regraded for drainage, where the grass has to be replaced anyway.
It's also part of most backyard projects, where we pair a smaller, healthier lawn with planted beds and a patio.
Materials and options
Which grass for which yard
| Grass | Sun needed | Water need | Wear tolerance | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoysia (Palisades, Zeon) | 4–6 hours | Moderate | Good | $2.10–$2.80 per sq ft |
| Bermuda (TifTuf, Celebration) | 6–8 hours | Low–moderate | Excellent | $1.60–$2.20 per sq ft |
| St. Augustine (Raleigh, Palmetto) | 4–6 hours | High | Fair | $1.80–$2.40 per sq ft |
| Buffalo grass | Full sun | Very low | Fair | $2.40–$3.20 per sq ft |
What it costs
What sod installation costs
$1.60–$2.80 per sq ft
installed, including turf removal, grading, compost and rolling
Sod runs $1.60 to $2.80 per square foot installed, depending on the grass and how much prep the soil needs. A 3,000-square-foot backyard lawn usually lands between $5,500 and $8,500. Adding or repairing sprinkler coverage is priced separately.
We price prep honestly. If the site needs 2 inches of new soil to fix low spots, the proposal says so and shows the cost, so it doesn't show up as an extra later.
Timeline
How long it takes
Most sod installs take one to three days, plus two to three weeks to root.
- Site walk and quoteSame week
- Strip, grade and amend1–2 days
- Lay and roll sod1 day
- Establishment watering2–3 weeks
- First mow and check-inAbout 3 weeks after install
When to lay sod
Warm-season grasses root fastest from April through September, when soil is warm. We lay sod in summer often, but it needs daily water for the first two weeks, so we check your city's watering rules first. Most utilities allow extra watering for new sod with a variance or a short establishment window; we handle the paperwork when one is required.
Case study
Pecan grove backyard, Seguin
A flat half-acre under five mature pecans that held water for days, regraded with a French drain, new Zoysia, garden beds and a cedar fence.
Read the case study“We got 4 inches of rain in an afternoon in June and the yard was dry by the next morning. That alone was worth it. The dogs haven't gotten out once.”
Questions
Sod installation questions
Which grass is best in shade?
Zoysia and St. Augustine handle partial shade best, around four to six hours of sun. Under dense live oak or pecan canopy, no turf does well; we plant shade-tolerant natives like inland sea oats and horseherb instead.
Can you lay sod on top of my existing lawn?
No. Sod laid over old grass and weeds roots poorly and sits high against walks and beds. We strip the old turf, regrade and amend first.
How soon can my dog use the new lawn?
Keep pets and heavy use off for about three weeks, until the sod is rooted and you can't lift a corner. Light foot traffic for mowing is fine after the first two weeks.
Where we build this most
Free · 45 minutes · no obligation
Start with a free site walk
Forty-five minutes on your property with a designer. You'll leave with honest numbers and a clear next step. A fixed-price proposal with a 3D render follows within two weeks.