Sod installation cost in Raleigh, 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
- $0.95 – $1.95
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #138
- 1 = most expensive
Raleigh homeowners pay roughly $1,450 to $3,200 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $0.95 to $1.95 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Raleigh is almost level. 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 Raleigh, 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 | $210 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,700 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Raleigh, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 47% |
| Labor | $740 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $290 | 6% |
| Total | $1,450 | $2,350 | $3,200 | 100% |
Where the Raleigh price comes from
Labor is 47% 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 Raleigh the blended ratio comes out at 0.98.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Raleigh metro is 96.6 (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 (98.2) and land at $0 to $290.
Planning more than one job in Raleigh?
Because every project leans on different trades, Raleigh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −5% and retaining wall −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,800 – $9,500 | −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 | $33,600 – $105,000 | −7% |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Raleigh is 0.98 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $18.51 an hour, which is in line with the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.98 and $22.28 an hour. BLS counts 5,710 of them working in the area, 76.8 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 $21.95 an hour, 3% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $23.77 an hour. About 6,360 work in the metro. That is 85.6 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 ($22.28 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $180. At the 25th percentile ($17.98) it shrinks by about $25. The total moves by 7.7% or 1.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 743,120 jobs in the Raleigh-Cary area. That makes it the 41st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.48% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $17.98 | $18.51 | $22.28 | $18.82 | 0.98 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.31 | $21.95 | $23.77 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
When to schedule sod lawn in Raleigh
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through June and August through December are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Raleigh (10 of 12 months). January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); 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.
Raleigh 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.
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 | 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 |
Raleigh against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Raleigh. Greenville is the lowest at about $2,250 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NCthis page | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | |
| Durham, NC40 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Fayetteville, NC60 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −3% |
| Greenville, NC60 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −4% |
| Greensboro, NC75 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 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Raleigh comes in at #138 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, Raleigh is 1% above the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| 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 |
Cities with a workforce like Raleigh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Raleigh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −3% |
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,550 | +10% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −1% |
Raleigh: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Raleigh 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
$1,450 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) | $970 – $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 – $5,550 | $5,150 – $6,850 | $6,400 – $8,100 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Raleigh bid
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.
Permit
Sodding permits cost $40-$300 where required, mostly for large lawns or those next to a public road.
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 $2,000 to $2,700 for Raleigh, NC is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Raleigh?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,450 to $3,200 in the Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
About $0.95 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 Raleigh or Durham?
Durham is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,350, which is 0% more than Raleigh ($2,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Raleigh?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $2,350. Materials are 47% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Raleigh?
$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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Raleigh expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
The BLS median is $18.51 an hour in the Raleigh area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.98 to $22.28.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh
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.