Sod installation cost in Provo, UT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,450 – $3,250
- Per sq ft
- $1 – $1.95
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #120
- 1 = most expensive
Provo homeowners pay roughly $1,450 to $3,250 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $1 to $1.95 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Provo is almost level. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.4).
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Provo, UT, standard level
$2,000 to $2,700
About $1.30 to $1.65 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $970 | $1,250 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $210 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,700 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Provo, UT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 46% |
| Labor | $750 | $1,100 | $1,500 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $290 | 6% |
| Total | $1,450 | $2,350 | $3,250 | 100% |
Why Provo prices look the way they do
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 $18.86 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Provo is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 48% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Provo metro is 96.4 (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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: sod installation pricing in Provo
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Provo 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 $2,200
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,000 to $2,700
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,550 to $3,250
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $980 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,250 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,450 – $2,200 | $2,000 – $2,700 | $2,550 – $3,250 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,950 – $5,600 | $5,200 – $6,900 | $6,450 – $8,150 |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Provo
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.
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 Provo is 1.00 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $18.86 an hour, which is in line with the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.92 and $22.39 an hour. BLS counts 2,490 of them working in the area, 81.7 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 $22.43 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.25 and $25.27 an hour. About 4,760 work in the metro. That is 156.2 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 ($22.39 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $170. At the 25th percentile ($17.92) it shrinks by about $45. The total moves by 7.2% or 1.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 304,660 jobs in the Provo-Orem-Lehi area. That makes it the 84th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.20% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $17.92 | $18.86 | $22.39 | $18.82 | 1.00 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.25 | $22.43 | $25.27 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
When to schedule sod lawn in Provo
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Provo Byu (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through October are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Provo (6 of 12 months). January, February, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February, November 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 111 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Provo gets about 17 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 45 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, April and May (2.0 inches in May). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.2 inches. The station averages about 74 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 | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 28 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 58 | 35 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 40 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 47 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 55 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 62 | 0.5 | Hot |
| Aug | 93 | 61 | 0.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 83 | 52 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 41 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 32 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 41 | 24 | 1.8 | Cold |
Is Provo cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Provo. Logan is the lowest at about $2,300 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 145 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provo, UTthis page | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | |
| Salt Lake City, UT60 miles | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | +5% |
| Ogden, UT90 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | +1% |
| Logan, UT145 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| St. George, UT190 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Grand Junction, CO215 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | level |
| Utah (statewide) | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +2% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +2% |
Across 300 US metros, Provo comes in at #120 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, Provo is 1% below the Utah figure.
Other Utah metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | +5% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | +1% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Provo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Provo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $1,400 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −3% |
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +3% |
| Wichita, KS | 308,570 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −4% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $1,250 – $2,750 | $2,000 | −14% |
Planning more than one job in Provo?
Because every project leans on different trades, Provo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −2% and sprinkler system −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $590 – $2,050 | −2% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,600 | −4% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,950 – $13,200 | −2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,000 | −2% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,200 – $110,000 | −2% |
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 Provo, UT is attached.
Detailed sod installation report for Provo, UT, $9
Multi-page report for Provo, UT: 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 Provo: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Provo?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,450 to $3,250 in the Provo 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 Provo?
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 Provo or Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,450, which is 5% more than Provo ($2,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Provo?
About 48% 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 Provo?
$1,450 to $3,250. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Provo?
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 Provo area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Provo expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Utah?
Provo is 1% below the Utah statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Utah; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Provo?
The BLS median is $18.86 an hour in the Provo area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.92 to $22.39.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Provo?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $2,200 and premium work $2,550 to $3,250. 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 Provo?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through October. June and September 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 Provo
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.