Sod installation cost in Kingsport, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,400 – $3,100
- Per sq ft
- $0.95 – $1.90
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #237
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to lay sod in Kingsport, plan on $1,400 to $3,100 for 1,500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $0.95 to $1.90 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% lower than the national one. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $17.04 an hour in the Kingsport area, 9% below the US median of $18.82.
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Kingsport, TN, standard level
$1,900 to $2,600
About $1.20 to $1.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $890 | $1,150 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $180 |
| Total | $1,900 | $2,600 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Kingsport, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 48% |
| Labor | $690 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $130 | $260 | 6% |
| Total | $1,400 | $2,250 | $3,100 | 100% |
Why Kingsport prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: landscaping and groundskeeping workers at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Kingsport wages are 0.92 times the national level. Labor makes up about 46% of the midpoint estimate (47% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Kingsport metro is 96.2 (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 (86.4) and land at $0 to $260.
Climate in Kingsport: timing your sod lawn job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Kingsport (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Kingsport (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February 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 83 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Kingsport gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are February, March and July (5.0 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 2.4 inches. The station averages about 28 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 | 46 | 27 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 51 | 30 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 60 | 36 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 45 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 78 | 54 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 62 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 66 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 65 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 58 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 46 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 36 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 50 | 30 | 4.0 | Cold |
Kingsport 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 Kingsport is 0.92 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $17.04 an hour, which is 9% below the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $14.99 and $18.10 an hour. BLS counts 600 of them working in the area, 50.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $21.81 an hour, 4% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.40 and $23.70 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 ($18.10 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $50. At the 25th percentile ($14.99) it shrinks by about $100. The total moves by 2.3% or 4.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 119,560 jobs in the Kingsport-Bristol area. That makes it the 183rd 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% | $14.99 | $17.04 | $18.10 | $18.82 | 0.91 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.40 | $21.81 | $23.70 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.92 | |||||
Kingsport: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Kingsport 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
$1,400 to $2,100
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$1,900 to $2,600
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,400 to $3,100
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $940 – $1,400 | $1,300 – $1,800 | $1,650 – $2,150 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,400 – $2,100 | $1,900 – $2,600 | $2,400 – $3,100 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,750 – $5,350 | $4,950 – $6,550 | $6,150 – $7,800 |
Is Kingsport cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Asheville is the priciest of the group at $2,350. Blacksburg is the cheapest at $2,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport, TNthis page | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | |
| Johnson City, TN25 miles | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,250 | level |
| Asheville, NC70 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +4% |
| Hickory, NC75 miles | $1,450 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Knoxville, TN100 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Blacksburg, VA110 miles | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,250 | level |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +2% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Kingsport comes in at #237 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, Kingsport is 2% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,250 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Kingsport's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Kingsport against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VT | 120,150 jobs | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | +14% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $1,550 – $3,350 | $2,450 | +9% |
| Erie, PA | 120,480 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +4% |
| Utica, NY | 118,390 jobs | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Kingsport bid
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).
What nearby projects cost in Kingsport
Because every project leans on different trades, Kingsport's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs −5% and retaining wall −5%.
| 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 | $6,700 – $12,800 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,400 – $9,750 | −5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $34,400 – $107,500 | −5% |
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 $1,900 to $2,600 for Kingsport, TN is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Kingsport, TN: 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 Kingsport: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Kingsport?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,400 to $3,100 in the Kingsport area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,900 to $2,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Kingsport?
About $0.95 to $1.90 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $260 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Kingsport or Johnson City?
Johnson City is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,250, which is 0% less than Kingsport ($2,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Kingsport?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $1,050 out of $2,250. Materials are 48% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Kingsport?
$1,400 to $3,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Kingsport?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $260 for fees in the Kingsport area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Kingsport expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Kingsport is 2% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($2,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Kingsport?
The BLS median is $17.04 an hour in the Kingsport area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $14.99 to $18.10.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Kingsport?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,400 to $2,100 and premium work $2,400 to $3,100. 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 Kingsport?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. 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 Kingsport
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.