Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Waterville Area

The climate in Waterville, ME is humid continental, with cold and snowy winters, and warm, humid summers. Winters in Waterville may experience temperatures as low as -15°F ( -26°C) and as high as 95°F (35°C). The spring and fall are usually mild and tend to be the best times of the year to grow grass.

In the summer, long periods of hot, humid weather can take a toll on grasses. In Waterville, cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and creeping red fescue are typically best for lawns. These grasses tolerate cold better than other grasses, and can withstand slightly higher temperatures in the summer.

Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda grass, zoysia and centipede grass can also be used in Waterville, if irrigated properly.

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

Waterville Sod Cost Chart

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

Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine Fescue
500 sq ft$195 - $370$320 - $445$170 - $345$245 - $395
1000 sq ft$370 - $720$620 - $870$320 - $670$470 - $770
1500 sq ft$545 - $1070$920 - $1295$470 - $995$695 - $1145
2000 sq ft$720 - $1420$1220 - $1720$620 - $1320$920 - $1520
2500 sq ft$895 - $1770$1520 - $2145$770 - $1645$1145 - $1895
3000 sq ft$1070 - $2120$1820 - $2570$920 - $1970$1370 - $2270

*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 the Best Time to Lay Sod in Waterville?

As you can see in our handy chart below, october is generally a decent time to lay sod in Waterville.

Because the daytime temperature averages between 42° and 58° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow, but it may take a little longer than usual. Make sure to keep it well hydrated!

Average high in october

58°

Average low in october

42°

october is an

average time

to lay sod in Waterville, ME

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

The Best Types for Your Area

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

How much will it cost me?
lot lines graphic

Price Considerations

DIY vs. Hiring a Sod Installation Company

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

Hiring Sod Professionals

Opting for a professional landscaping service offers a complete, effortless approach. These companies provide full-service teams that handle the entire process: they source high-quality sod, prepare the site, arrange delivery to your location, and professionally install the grass, leaving you with nothing to do.

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 Waterville, Maine: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Waterville - Local ME 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 $165 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Waterville, 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.

Limited Online Presence: Sod farms typically lack advanced websites. Instead of a seamless online shopping experience, you'll probably need to reach out via phone or email to inquire about stock and costs. Don't anticipate comprehensive online support or information.

Unfortunately, we don't know of any sod farms near Waterville 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.

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Waterville

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Because there aren't any large metropolitan cities near Waterville 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 Waterville 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 Waterville?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $165 to $560 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 Waterville, Maine?

Cool season grasses grow best in Waterville in the Fall and Spring.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Waterville?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Waterville, 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

Amelia Anderson

Writer & Editor, SodCalculator.com

Avid gardener and passionate landscaper, Amelia brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to her readers. With a background in environmental studies, she combines her love for nature with her drive to create sustainable, picturesque outdoor spaces.

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