Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Chattanooga Area

Chattanooga, TN has a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. Due to the high humidity, the city experiences occasional drought conditions. Summers tend to be both wet and hot and winters tend to be mild and wet.

This climate affects the types of grass that are best grown in Chattanooga. During the summer months, warm season grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia thrive due to their tolerance of heat and humidity. Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue do well during the milder months of fall and spring, however they often struggle during the hot and humid months of summer.

It is also important to water regularly and deeply during the summer months to keep the grass healthy and thriving.

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

Chattanooga Sod Cost Chart

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

BermudaKentucky BluegrassZoysiaTall Fescue
500 sq ft$165 - $315$165 - $340$265 - $440$290 - $415
1000 sq ft$340 - $640$340 - $690$540 - $890$590 - $840
1500 sq ft$515 - $965$515 - $1040$815 - $1340$890 - $1265
2000 sq ft$690 - $1290$690 - $1390$1090 - $1790$1190 - $1690
2500 sq ft$865 - $1615$865 - $1740$1365 - $2240$1490 - $2115
3000 sq ft$1040 - $1940$1040 - $2090$1640 - $2690$1790 - $2540

*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 Chattanooga?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 37° and 55° 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

55°

Average low in december

37°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Chattanooga, TN

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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, the best sods to grow are transition 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Hiring Sod Professionals

Opting for a professional lawn and 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Chattanooga - Local TN 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 $145 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Chattanooga, 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.

Interested in going the farm route?

Here are the 6 closest sod farms to Chattanooga:
  • Sims Sod Farm1608 Burning Bush Rd Ringgold, GA 30736 11 miles away
  • Palmer's Turf Farm1109 Old York Hwy E Dunlap, TN 37327 22 miles away
  • Cherokee Turf1839 Pine Chapel Rd NE, Calhoun, GA 30701-9521, United States Resaca, GA 30701 41 miles away
  • Hunt's Turf Farm317 McDaniel Rd Calhoun , GA 30701 41 miles away
  • Walker's Sod Farm Inc 515 Akers Road, McMinnville, TN 37110 59 miles away
  • Crossroads Sod Farm6121 New Hope Rd Sweetwater TN 37874 59 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Chattanooga

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

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

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $145 to $540 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee?

Cool season grasses grow best in Chattanooga in the Fall and Spring. Warm season grasses grow best in the Summer.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Chattanooga?

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

Terrance Sowell

Writer & Editor, SodCalculator.com

Terrance is a former engineer turned sod connoisseur, who brings a unique, scientific approach to the world of landscaping. His analytical style and dedication to environmentally responsible practices make his content an invaluable resource for the eco-conscious homeowner.

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