Alaska Anchorage MunicipalityAnchorage, AK Sod Cost Guide
Quick Intro
Laying sod in Anchorage
The climate in Anchorage, AK is subarctic, with cold, long winters and relatively mild, short summers.
This affects the types of grass that are best grown there; cold-tolerant, slow-growing grasses such as hard fescue, fine fescue, and bluegrass do best in this climate.
These grasses all tolerate colder temperatures, require only moderate amounts of water, and don't require as much fertilizer or mowing as other, more delicate varieties.
Let's take a look at some costs for different lawn sizes.
Anchorage Sod Cost Chart
Listed below are average price ranges for various yard sizes and sod types
| Kentucky Bluegrass | Tall Fescue | Perennial Ryegrass | Fine Fescue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $175 - $350 | $300 - $425 | $150 - $325 | $225 - $375 |
| 1000 sq ft | $350 - $700 | $600 - $850 | $300 - $650 | $450 - $750 |
| 1500 sq ft | $525 - $1050 | $900 - $1275 | $450 - $975 | $675 - $1125 |
| 2000 sq ft | $700 - $1400 | $1200 - $1700 | $600 - $1300 | $900 - $1500 |
| 2500 sq ft | $875 - $1750 | $1500 - $2125 | $750 - $1625 | $1125 - $1875 |
| 3000 sq ft | $1050 - $2100 | $1800 - $2550 | $900 - $1950 | $1350 - $2250 |
*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 Anchorage?
Because the daytime temperature averages between 14° and 25° 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
25°Average low in december
14°december is a
to lay sod in Anchorage, AK
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 Anchorage, Alaska?
Because of the climate in Anchorage, Alaska, the best sods to grow are cool-season grasses. Below is a list of these grasses and their ballpark prices:
Price Considerations
Anchorage Sod DIY Installation vs. Hiring a Sod Company
When it comes to sodding your new lawn in Anchorage, Alaska, 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.
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 Anchorage, 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.
Unfortunately, we don't know of any sod farms near Anchorage currently. If you know of one that should be listed, please let us know by reaching out to support@sodcalculator.com and we will add it for free.
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What else?
Other Factors that Affect Sod Cost in Anchorage
Sod Supplier & Distance Traveled
Anchorage has a population of roughly 283,154, which can be a double-edged sword when it comes to landscaping pricing. This means that sod companies in Anchorage may charge more to cover the cost of living in a larger city. But at the same time you will have more options to choose from, so make sure to get multiple quotes. Prices can vary wildly!
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 Anchorage in the winter, you can sometimes get deals in the off-season.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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- What is the cost for a pallet of sod in Anchorage?
- 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 Anchorage, Alaska?
- Cool season grasses grow best in Anchorage in the Fall and Spring.
- How much is 200 square feet of sod in Anchorage?
- If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Anchorage, 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).
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