Sod installation cost in Durham, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,450 – $3,200
- Per sq ft
- $1 – $1.95
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #131
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a new sod lawn in the Durham area: $1,450 to $3,200 for 1,500 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 3% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.6).
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Durham, NC, standard level
$2,000 to $2,700
About $1.25 to $1.65 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $960 | $1,250 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $200 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,700 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Durham, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 46% |
| Labor | $740 | $1,100 | $1,500 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $290 | 6% |
| Total | $1,450 | $2,350 | $3,200 | 100% |
Where the Durham price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: landscaping and groundskeeping workers at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Durham wages are 0.99 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (47% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Durham is at 96.6 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 97.6: $0 to $290.
Who does the work: Durham trade wages
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 Durham the blend is 0.99.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 80% of the weighting: a median of $18.56 an hour, in line with the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.78 and $22.33 an hour. About 1,710 work in the metro. That is 49.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 61.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $22.38 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $25.15 an hour. BLS counts 1,120 of them working in the area, 32.6 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 $180 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $35. That is a swing of roughly 1.6% to 7.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Durham-Chapel Hill has 344,020 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 74th 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% | $17.78 | $18.56 | $22.33 | $18.82 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.03 | $22.38 | $25.15 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
Durham: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Durham. 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
$1,450 to $2,150
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,000 to $2,700
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,500 to $3,200
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $980 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,850 | $1,750 – $2,250 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,450 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,700 | $2,500 – $3,200 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,900 – $5,600 | $5,150 – $6,850 | $6,400 – $8,100 |
The best months for sod lawn in Durham
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 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 Durham are February through June and August through December: 10 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 65 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Durham gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 52 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 | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | Workable |
Durham against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Durham. Fayetteville is the lowest at about $2,250 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NCthis page | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | |
| Burlington, NC15 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −3% |
| Greensboro, NC40 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Raleigh, NC40 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Fayetteville, NC65 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −4% |
| Winston, NC70 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −1% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Durham ranks #131 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Durham is 1% above the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Durham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | +13% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −1% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,200 | −6% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $1,300 – $2,850 | $2,050 | −12% |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Durham
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.
Site prep
The cost listed here assumes leveled, cleared ground. Grading and soil amendments are extra.
Planning more than one job in Durham?
Jobs that often go together with sod lawn are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Durham wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sprinkler system comes out highest (−5%) and retaining wall lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,800 – $9,550 | −5% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,400 – $12,500 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,600 | −6% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,700 – $105,500 | −7% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Durham, NC: 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 Durham: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Durham?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,450 to $3,200 in the Durham area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,000 to $2,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Durham?
About $1 to $1.95 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $290 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Durham or Burlington?
Burlington is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,300, which is 3% less than Durham ($2,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Durham?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $2,350. Materials are 46% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Durham?
$1,450 to $3,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Durham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $290 for fees in the Durham area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Durham expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Durham is 1% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($2,300 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Durham?
The BLS median is $18.56 an hour in the Durham area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.78 to $22.33.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Durham?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $2,150 and premium work $2,500 to $3,200. 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 Durham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and August through December. February and November 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 Durham
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.