Sod installation cost in Portland, ME
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,600 – $3,500
- Per sq ft
- $1.05 – $2.15
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +6%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #55
- 1 = most expensive
A new sod lawn in Portland, ME usually costs $1,600 to $3,500 for 1,500 sq ft. That works out to about $1.05 to $2.15 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $150 more. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $22.44 an hour in the Portland area, 19% above the US median of $18.82.
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Portland, ME, standard level
$2,150 to $2,950
About $1.40 to $1.80 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $950 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $1,150 | $1,500 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $210 |
| Total | $2,150 | $2,950 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Portland, ME
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $730 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 43% |
| Labor | $870 | $1,300 | $1,750 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $310 | 6% |
| Total | $1,600 | $2,550 | $3,500 | 100% |
Why Portland prices look the way they do
Labor is 51% 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 Portland the blended ratio comes out at 1.16.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Portland is at 97.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,150 nationally becomes $1,100 here (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.9: $0 to $310.
What local crews earn in Portland
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Portland the blend is 1.16.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 80% of the weighting: a median of $22.44 an hour, 19% above the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $18.77 and $23.46 an hour. About 3,180 work in the metro. That is 110.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 61.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.31 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.50 and $27.46 an hour. BLS counts 1,470 of them working in the area, 51.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (landscaping and groundskeeping workers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $50 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 6.9% to 1.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Portland-South Portland has 288,480 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 89th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $18.77 | $22.44 | $23.46 | $18.82 | 1.19 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.50 | $23.31 | $27.46 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Portland
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Portland. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small yard (1,000 sq ft) to large yard (4,000 sq ft).
Basic
$1,600 to $2,350
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,150 to $2,950
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,750 to $3,500
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $1,050 – $1,600 | $1,500 – $2,050 | $1,900 – $2,450 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,600 – $2,350 | $2,150 – $2,950 | $2,750 – $3,500 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $4,250 – $6,100 | $5,650 – $7,450 | $7,000 – $8,850 |
Related projects, priced for Portland
Jobs that often go together with sod lawn are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Portland wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+2%) and retaining wall lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +2% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,000 – $9,950 | −1% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,350 – $12,500 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $34,600 – $108,500 | −4% |
Is Portland cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Boston is the priciest of the group at $2,700. Manchester is the cheapest at $2,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, MEthis page | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | |
| Manchester, NH85 miles | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | −1% |
| Boston, MA85 miles | $1,700 – $3,750 | $2,700 | +6% |
| Worcester, MA120 miles | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | +4% |
| Barnstable, MA135 miles | $1,650 – $3,650 | $2,650 | +4% |
| Providence, RI140 miles | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,550 | +1% |
| Maine (statewide) | $1,600 – $3,450 | $2,500 | −1% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Portland ranks #55 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Portland is 1% above the Maine figure.
Elsewhere in Maine
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $1,550 – $3,350 | $2,450 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | +3% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −10% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −10% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,600 | +2% |
Portland weather and the sod installation calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Portland Intl Jetport (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Portland are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
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 144 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Portland gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 69 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, October and December (5.3 inches in October). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 5 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 16 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 42 | 26 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 35 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 55 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 32 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 22 | 4.5 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Portland bid
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).
Sod type
Sod alone costs $0.30-$0.80 per sq ft, or $130-$360 per pallet; delivery is $50-$250 per load.
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 $2,150 to $2,950 for Portland, ME is attached.
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Multi-page report for Portland, ME: 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 Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Portland?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,600 to $3,500 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,150 to $2,950. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Portland?
About $1.05 to $2.15 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $310 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Portland or Manchester?
Manchester is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,500, which is 1% less than Portland ($2,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $1,300 out of $2,550. Materials are 43% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Portland?
$1,600 to $3,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $310 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Maine?
Portland is 1% above the Maine statewide estimate ($2,500 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Maine; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $22.44 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.77 to $23.46.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Portland?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,600 to $2,350 and premium work $2,750 to $3,500. 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 Portland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and August 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 Portland
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.