Sod installation cost in Barnstable, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,650 – $3,650
- Per sq ft
- $1.10 – $2.25
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #27
- 1 = most expensive
A new sod lawn in Barnstable, MA usually costs $1,650 to $3,650 for 1,500 sq ft. That works out to about $1.10 to $2.25 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $250 more. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $23.56 an hour in the Barnstable area, 25% above the US median of $18.82.
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Barnstable, MA, standard level
$2,250 to $3,050
About $1.45 to $1.90 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $950 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $210 |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,050 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Barnstable, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $730 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 41% |
| Labor | $940 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $300 | 6% |
| Total | $1,650 | $2,650 | $3,650 | 100% |
Where the Barnstable price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on landscaping and groundskeeping workers, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.56 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Barnstable is 1.26 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 53% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Barnstable is at 97.0 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 98.4: $0 to $300.
Barnstable 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, Hyannis Barnstable Muni Ap (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 Barnstable are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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 109 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Barnstable gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.7 inches in December). Inside the workable window, June and July are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 2 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 | 40 | 24 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 25 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 30 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| May | 65 | 48 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 65 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 63 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 46 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 29 | 4.7 | Cold |
Barnstable: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Barnstable. 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
$1,650 to $2,450
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,250 to $3,050
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,850 to $3,650
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,100 | $1,950 – $2,500 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,650 – $2,450 | $2,250 – $3,050 | $2,850 – $3,650 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $4,450 – $6,350 | $5,900 – $7,800 | $7,300 – $9,200 |
Is Barnstable cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Barnstable. Norwich is the lowest at about $2,500 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable, MAthis page | $1,650 – $3,650 | $2,650 | |
| Providence, RI60 miles | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,550 | −3% |
| Boston, MA70 miles | $1,700 – $3,750 | $2,700 | +2% |
| Worcester, MA100 miles | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | level |
| Norwich, CT100 miles | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | −5% |
| Manchester, NH115 miles | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | −5% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +1% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Barnstable ranks #27 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Barnstable is 1% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $1,700 – $3,750 | $2,700 | +2% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | level |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,600 | −3% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,600 | −2% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Barnstable against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −15% |
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | −7% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $1,350 – $3,000 | $2,150 | −18% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −12% |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Barnstable
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.
What local crews earn in Barnstable
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 Barnstable the blend is 1.26.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 80% of the weighting: a median of $23.56 an hour, 25% above the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $22.62 and $28.75 an hour. About 2,210 work in the metro. That is 234.8 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 $28.87 an hour, which is 27% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.38 and $34.67 an hour. BLS counts 750 of them working in the area, 79.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (landscaping and groundskeeping workers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $45. That is a swing of roughly 1.7% to 9.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Barnstable Town has 94,110 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 212th 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% | $22.62 | $23.56 | $28.75 | $18.82 | 1.25 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $23.38 | $28.87 | $34.67 | $22.66 | 1.27 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Barnstable?
Jobs that often go together with sod lawn are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Barnstable wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+16%) and sprinkler system lowest (+11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $680 – $2,400 | +14% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,400 – $11,100 | +11% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,600 – $15,200 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,300 | +11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $41,300 – $129,000 | +14% |
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 $2,250 to $3,050 for Barnstable, MA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Barnstable, MA: 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 Barnstable: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Barnstable?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,650 to $3,650 in the Barnstable area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,250 to $3,050. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Barnstable?
About $1.10 to $2.25 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 Barnstable or Providence?
Providence is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,550, which is 3% less than Barnstable ($2,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Barnstable?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $1,400 out of $2,650. Materials are 41% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Barnstable?
$1,650 to $3,650. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Barnstable?
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 Barnstable area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Barnstable expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Barnstable is 1% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($2,700 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Barnstable?
The BLS median is $23.56 an hour in the Barnstable area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.62 to $28.75.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Barnstable?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,650 to $2,450 and premium work $2,850 to $3,650. 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 Barnstable?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. June and July 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 Barnstable
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.