Quick Intro

Laying sod in Calera

Calera, AL is located in the humid subtropical climate zone and enjoys warm weather for a large part of the year. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures regularly reaching above 90 degrees, while winters are generally mild with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing.

This type of climate is well suited for warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, Centipede grass, and Zoysia grass. These types of grasses thrive in hot and humid climates, and as a result, are best suited for growing in Calera.

Let's take a look at some costs for different lawn sizes.

Calera Sod Cost Chart

Listed below are average price ranges for various yard sizes and sod types

BermudaZoysiaSt. AugustineBuffalo
500 sq ft$175 - $325$275 - $450$250 - $450$275 - $400
1000 sq ft$350 - $650$550 - $900$500 - $900$550 - $800
1500 sq ft$525 - $975$825 - $1350$750 - $1350$825 - $1200
2000 sq ft$700 - $1300$1100 - $1800$1000 - $1800$1100 - $1600
2500 sq ft$875 - $1625$1375 - $2250$1250 - $2250$1375 - $2000
3000 sq ft$1050 - $1950$1650 - $2700$1500 - $2700$1650 - $2400

*Keep in mind these sod prices only include the sod itself - not delivery fees, sod installation, and other lawn care services.

Timing it just right

Is now a good time to lay sod in Calera?

As you can see in our handy chart below, december is generally not the best time to lay sod in Calera.

Because the daytime temperature averages between 40° and 59° degrees fahrenheit, it will be difficult for the grass to take root and grow. Consider waiting until the weather warms up a bit.

Average high in december

59°

Average low in december

40°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Calera, AL

Click/scroll on the months above to see average temperatures and how that affects the best time to lay sod.

What is the best grass for Calera, Alabama?

Because of the climate in Calera, Alabama, the best sods to grow are warm-season grasses. Below is a list of these grasses and their ballpark prices:

Price Considerations

Calera Sod DIY Installation vs. Hiring a Sod Company

When it comes to sodding your new lawn in Calera, Alabama, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Hiring a Landscaping Company

Going with a landscaping company means a comprehensive, hands-free solution. They have teams that manage everything from sourcing quality sod to preparing the ground, taking care of sod delivery to your property, and installing the turf grass for you.

Cost: This is when you want the white glove "do it all for me" approach. You're not just paying for the product but also for professional labor, project management, and often, a service warranty. Expect to pay $300 or more per pallet of sod and double that figure for installation.

Sod Procurement options in Calera, Alabama: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Purchasing Directly from Sod Farms

Want to save a little cash? Sod farms are the way to go. This DIY approach comes with its own set of challenges, but the cost-saving potential for homeowners is significant.

Cost: Prices can drop to as low as $150 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Calera, offering you substantial savings. You'll sometimes need to go pick up the sod yourself as well.

DIY: The trade-off here is the manual labor involved in self-installation. Additionally, many sod farms operate on a minimum purchase policy, commonly starting at multiple pallets, which typically covers at least 1000 square feet.

Poor Online Support: Don't expect a sophisticated online browsing experience. Most sod farms have basic websites, so you'll likely need to make a phone call or fire off an email conversation to get ahold of availability and pricing.

Interested in going the farm route?

Here are the 10 closest sod farms to Calera:
How much will it cost me? lot lines graphic

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Sod Cost in Calera

Sod Supplier & Distance Traveled

Because there aren't any large metropolitan cities near Calera you'll need to find a local sod supplier. Usually this means you'll have fewer options to choose from, but you can get a good deal as the cost of living (and thus services) is likely lower than big cities.

Preparation Work

The following factors can make a huge difference in the cost and either save you or cost you big time:

  • Regrading: Need to flatten your yard? This can vary pricing wise but expect to pay roughly $0.55 per square foot extra on average.
  • Soil needs: If it's new construction or you have poor soil, you may need to add topsoil. Expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $0.25 per square foot for this.
  • Removal of existing sod: If you have existing grass that needs to go, this can cost an additional $0.45 per square foot.
  • Removal of other debris: Let's just say you have lot's of pebbles and rocks in your soil. It's going to cost extra to remove those.

Installation Labor Costs

The next thing to consider pricing wise is the cost of labor. Here are some of the factors that can influence labor costs:
  • Ease of access to your yard: Is it in a back yard that's hard to access? Up on a hill that laborers have to walk up? This will add to your cost.
  • Random objects: Best case scenario: it's wide open grass. If there are lots of trees, irrigation systems, or other objects this can add to labor cost.
  • Time of year: Since it's a seasonal business, and there's less demand for sod in Calera in the winter, you can sometimes get deals in the off-season.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly at team@sodcalculator.com

What is the cost for a pallet of sod in Calera?
As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $150 to $550 a pallet. Most of the time it's somewhere in the middle around $350 per pallet.
How much sod is in a pallet?
Different companies have different pallet sizes, but the most common is 500 square feet. We've also seen 400 square feet, 450 square feet and even 504 square feet. Make sure to check with the company!
What time of year do you lay sod in Calera, Alabama?
Warm season grasses grow best in Calera in the Spring and early Summer. Cool season grasses grow best in the Fall and Spring.
How much is 200 square feet of sod in Calera?
If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Calera, you might have some luck looking on Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, or Craigslist. Otherwise you might be out of luck and have to purchase a whole pallet (400-500 sq ft).

Nearby Cities

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