Preparation

• The soil must be ready for the new sod. After removal of weeds and grass, the soil must be leveled and fertilized with 1-2-1 (nitrogen-phosphate-potassium) starter fertilizer, which costs about $21 for coverage of 5,000 square feet . If you need fresh topsoil, it should be at least 4 inches deep for the entire area where you will lay sod. Clean-fill topsoil costs about $8 to $15 a cubic yard.
  
  

Sod

• Although sod costs can vary from state to state and according to the type of sod you plant, the sod will cost approximately 15 to 35 cents per square foot. Buffalo grass generally costs 45 cents per square foot and bent grass can cost as must as $1.10 per square foot.
  
  

Installation

• If you have the sod installed by a contractor, you can expect to pay as much as 30 to 50 percent more per square foot. Some contractors may charge a little less or some made charge a little more.