Sod installation cost in Laredo, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,300 – $2,850
- Per sq ft
- $0.85 – $1.75
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #293
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to lay sod in Laredo, plan on $1,300 to $2,850 for 1,500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $0.85 to $1.75 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $15.46 an hour in the Laredo area, 18% below the US median of $18.82.
Estimate your sod installation cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Laredo, TX, standard level
$1,750 to $2,400
About $1.15 to $1.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $910 | $1,200 |
| Labor | $780 | $1,000 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $180 |
| Total | $1,750 | $2,400 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Laredo, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $700 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 51% |
| Labor | $600 | $900 | $1,200 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $130 | $260 | 6% |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,100 | $2,850 | 100% |
What is behind the Laredo number
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 $15.46 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Laredo is 0.80 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 43% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Laredo metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,050, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.0) and land at $0 to $260.
Specs and site conditions that change a Laredo bid
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.
Climate in Laredo: timing your sod lawn job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Laredo 2 (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through April is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Laredo (7 of 12 months). May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Laredo gets about 20 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and September (3.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 178 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 | 68 | 47 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 74 | 52 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 81 | 58 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 88 | 65 | 1.3 | Workable |
| May | 94 | 72 | 2.8 | Hot |
| Jun | 99 | 76 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Jul | 100 | 77 | 1.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 101 | 77 | 1.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 94 | 73 | 3.9 | Hot |
| Oct | 87 | 66 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 77 | 56 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 69 | 48 | 1.1 | Workable |
Laredo: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Laredo 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
$1,300 to $1,950
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$1,750 to $2,400
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,250 to $2,850
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $870 – $1,300 | $1,200 – $1,650 | $1,550 – $2,000 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,300 – $1,950 | $1,750 – $2,400 | $2,250 – $2,850 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,500 – $4,950 | $4,600 – $6,100 | $5,700 – $7,200 |
Planning more than one job in Laredo?
Because every project leans on different trades, Laredo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −12% and sprinkler system −17%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −15% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,300 – $8,300 | −17% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,100 – $12,000 | −12% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,100 – $8,600 | −16% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $30,700 – $96,000 | −15% |
Is Laredo cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 1,500 sq ft range from $2,000 to $2,300 across Laredo and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TXthis page | $1,300 – $2,850 | $2,100 | |
| McAllen, TX120 miles | $1,250 – $2,750 | $2,000 | −3% |
| Corpus Christi, TX120 miles | $1,350 – $3,000 | $2,200 | +5% |
| San Antonio, TX125 miles | $1,350 – $3,050 | $2,200 | +6% |
| Brownsville, TX160 miles | $1,250 – $2,750 | $2,000 | −4% |
| Austin, TX200 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +10% |
| Texas (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +10% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Laredo comes in at #293 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, Laredo is 9% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +15% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +11% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +10% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $1,350 – $3,050 | $2,200 | +6% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $1,300 – $2,850 | $2,050 | −1% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $1,250 – $2,750 | $2,000 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Laredo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Laredo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +11% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,200 | +6% |
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,200 | +6% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $1,650 – $3,650 | $2,650 | +27% |
Laredo 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 Laredo is 0.80 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $15.46 an hour, which is 18% below the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $14.41 and $17.49 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the area, 21.9 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 $16.22 an hour, 28% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $13.98 and $17.72 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 36.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer 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 ($17.49 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $95. At the 25th percentile ($14.41) it shrinks by about $50. The total moves by 4.7% or 2.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 109,370 jobs in the Laredo area. That makes it the 191st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $14.41 | $15.46 | $17.49 | $18.82 | 0.82 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $13.98 | $16.22 | $17.72 | $22.66 | 0.72 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
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 $1,750 to $2,400 for Laredo, TX is attached.
Detailed sod installation report for Laredo, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Laredo, TX: 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 Laredo: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Laredo?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,300 to $2,850 in the Laredo area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,750 to $2,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Laredo?
About $0.85 to $1.75 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 Laredo or McAllen?
McAllen is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,000, which is 3% less than Laredo ($2,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Laredo?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $900 out of $2,100. Materials are 51% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Laredo?
$1,300 to $2,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Laredo?
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 Laredo area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Laredo expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Texas?
Laredo is 9% below the Texas statewide estimate ($2,300 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Laredo?
The BLS median is $15.46 an hour in the Laredo area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $14.41 to $17.49.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Laredo?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,300 to $1,950 and premium work $2,250 to $2,850. 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 Laredo?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February 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 Laredo
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.