Sod installation cost in Greeley, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,550 – $3,350
- Per sq ft
- $1 – $2.05
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #88
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to lay sod in Greeley, plan on $1,550 to $3,350 for 1,500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $1 to $2.05 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $20.78 an hour in the Greeley area, 10% above the US median of $18.82.
Estimate your sod installation cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Greeley, CO, standard level
$2,100 to $2,800
About $1.35 to $1.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,200 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,400 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $210 |
| Total | $2,100 | $2,800 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Greeley, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 44% |
| Labor | $810 | $1,200 | $1,600 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $300 | 6% |
| Total | $1,550 | $2,450 | $3,350 | 100% |
Where the Greeley price comes from
Labor is 50% of the midpoint bill here, against 47% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is landscaping and groundskeeping workers (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Greeley the blended ratio comes out at 1.08.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Greeley metro is 96.1 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,100, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.2) and land at $0 to $300.
Greeley labor market for sod lawn
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Greeley is 1.08 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $20.78 an hour, which is 10% above the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $18.88 and $22.90 an hour. BLS counts 1,360 of them working in the area, 113.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.19 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.97 and $26.19 an hour. About 1,430 work in the metro. That is 119.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the landscaping and groundskeeping workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.90 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $100. At the 25th percentile ($18.88) it shrinks by about $90. The total moves by 4.1% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 119,540 jobs in the Greeley area. That makes it the 184th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $18.88 | $20.78 | $22.90 | $18.82 | 1.10 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.97 | $22.19 | $26.19 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
Climate in Greeley: timing your sod lawn job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Greeley Unc (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through June and August through October are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Greeley (6 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February, March, November and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 153 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Greeley gets about 15 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 35 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.6 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 1.1 and 1.1 inches. The station averages about 58 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 20 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 28 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 66 | 35 | 1.8 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 45 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 54 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 59 | 1.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 57 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 82 | 49 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 68 | 37 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 26 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 43 | 18 | 0.6 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Greeley
Because every project leans on different trades, Greeley's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −1% and sprinkler system −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,650 | −4% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,950 – $13,200 | −2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,000 | −2% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,300 – $110,000 | −2% |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Greeley
Site prep
The cost listed here assumes leveled, cleared ground. Grading and soil amendments are extra.
Permit
Sodding permits cost $40-$300 where required, mostly for large lawns or those next to a public road.
Old grass removal
Removing an old lawn first adds $0.50-$2.00 per sq ft, and a full remove-and-resod runs $1.50-$4.00 per sq ft (HomeGuide).
Greeley: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Greeley wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,550 to $2,250
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,100 to $2,800
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,650 to $3,350
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $1,000 – $1,550 | $1,400 – $1,950 | $1,800 – $2,350 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,250 | $2,100 – $2,800 | $2,650 – $3,350 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $4,100 – $5,850 | $5,400 – $7,150 | $6,700 – $8,450 |
Is Greeley cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Greeley. Cheyenne is the lowest at about $2,300 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeley, COthis page | $1,550 – $3,350 | $2,450 | |
| Cheyenne, WY55 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −6% |
| Fort Collins, CO60 miles | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +1% |
| Boulder, CO60 miles | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | +5% |
| Denver, CO80 miles | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,600 | +6% |
| Colorado Springs, CO120 miles | $1,550 – $3,350 | $2,450 | level |
| Colorado (statewide) | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | +4% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Greeley comes in at #88 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $2,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $2,000 (midpoints, 1,500 sq ft). Statewide, Greeley is 4% below the Colorado figure.
Other Colorado metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,600 | +6% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $1,550 – $3,350 | $2,450 | level |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | +5% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +1% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −4% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Greeley's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Greeley against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −8% |
| Utica, NY | 118,390 jobs | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −2% |
| Burlington, VT | 120,150 jobs | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | +5% |
| Longview, TX | 118,060 jobs | $1,350 – $3,000 | $2,150 | −11% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $2,100 to $2,800 for Greeley, CO is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Greeley, CO: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Sod installation in Greeley: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Greeley?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,550 to $3,350 in the Greeley area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,100 to $2,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Greeley?
About $1 to $2.05 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Greeley or Cheyenne?
Cheyenne is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,300, which is 6% less than Greeley ($2,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Greeley?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $1,200 out of $2,450. Materials are 44% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Greeley?
$1,550 to $3,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Greeley?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $300 for fees in the Greeley area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Greeley expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Colorado?
Greeley is 4% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($2,550 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Greeley?
The BLS median is $20.78 an hour in the Greeley area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.88 to $22.90.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Greeley?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $2,250 and premium work $2,650 to $3,350. Basic means: basic grass on cleared, level ground. Premium means: premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes.
+When is the best time to lay sod in Greeley?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August through October. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Sod installation near Greeley
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.