One of the most common sources of confusion when shopping for sod in Jacksonville is the difference between delivery and installation — and it matters more than most people realize, because the pricing model is completely different for each.
When you call a landscaping company and ask for a quote on "getting sod put in," you'll almost always get a bundled per-square-foot price that blends the cost of the grass itself, the labor to lay it, and sometimes ground prep. You often have no idea what the sod itself costs versus what you're paying for labor. That bundled number is frequently inflated by a 30–50% markup on the supply cost.
Understanding the split — what delivery covers, what installation covers, and where the money goes — puts you in a much stronger position to make a smart buying decision and potentially save several hundred dollars on your project.
What "Curbside Delivery" Actually Means
Curbside sod delivery is exactly what it sounds like: a flatbed truck delivers your sod pallet to the edge of your property — at the curb, driveway, or as close as safely accessible — and leaves it there. That's the service. The driver drops the pallet with a liftgate or forklift attachment and is gone.
Everything from that point forward — physically moving the sod from the curb to where it's going, laying it in the ground, cutting it to fit — is not part of the delivery. This is the service model First Coast Sod operates under.
This model works well for:
- DIY projects — homeowners who want to do their own installation, or have a crew lined up to do it
- Landscaper-sourced jobs — contractors who source sod directly at published prices and handle installation themselves
- Partial patching — replacing a specific dead zone with a pallet or two without needing a full-service company for a small job
Key point: Curbside delivery is not "partial installation." It is supply only. Plan to have a wheelbarrow, garden cart, or helping hands ready on delivery day — sod pallets run 1,500–2,000 lbs and need to be moved from the street to the work area promptly, especially in summer heat.
What Sod Installation Includes
Full-service installation covers labor from start to finish: removing your existing turf, preparing the ground, laying the sod, and initial watering. Some installers include a warranty period or follow-up visit; most do not by default.
Installation as a service makes sense when:
- The yard is large enough that DIY labor becomes impractical
- Soil prep — grading, amending, old turf removal — is needed beyond a simple prep job
- You want accountability: an installer who is responsible for proper establishment
- You're a property manager or contractor sourcing at volume — see our commercial sod supply pricing for multi-pallet orders
For full-service work, sourcing your sod separately at published supply prices and hiring a local landscaper to install it is typically more cost-effective than using a bundled company that controls both. See our Jacksonville resodding guide for a detailed prep walkthrough if you're going the DIY route.
Cost Breakdown — What Each Component Actually Costs
| Service Component | Typical Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Sod supply, delivery included | $200–$350 / pallet | Grass by variety, curbside delivery bundled in |
| Old turf removal & disposal | $0.10–$0.20 / sq ft | Killing and removing existing grass |
| Soil grading & prep | $0.08–$0.15 / sq ft | Leveling, adding topsoil if needed |
| Installation labor | $0.45–$0.80 / sq ft | Laying, cutting, and tamping sod |
| Full-service (supply + all labor) | $1.00–$1.80 / sq ft total | Everything above, bundled |
On a 1,500 sq ft resod job using St. Augustine sod:
- Sod supply, delivery included (4 pallets): $1,200 (4 × $300)
- Separate installation labor: ~$675–$1,200 (depending on scope)
- Total supply + labor: ~$1,875–$2,400
- Typical bundled full-service quote: $1,500–$2,700
The ranges overlap, but buying supply at published prices gives you a clear cost floor and negotiating power when hiring labor separately.
First Coast Sod's Published Supply Prices
Most Jacksonville sod companies require you to call for pricing. We publish ours.
These are per-pallet supply prices for Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties, and delivery is already included in every price — there's no separate fee to add. If you want to know your total supply cost before calling, use the sod calculator to calculate your pallet count — enter your area in square feet and the variety you're considering, and you'll have a number in under a minute.
How to Save Money on a Sod Project
The most reliable way to reduce total project cost is to separate supply from installation:
- Buy the sod directly at published supply prices from a curbside delivery company. You know exactly what the grass costs.
- Get installation-only quotes from two or three local landscapers. These quotes will be labor-only (they're not supplying the grass) and tend to be more competitive.
- Compare the total against any bundled full-service quotes you've received. The difference is often $300–$500 on a typical residential project.
For small patches — under 200 square feet — DIYing the installation with a partial pallet makes the math even more favorable. A partial St. Augustine order at $300/pallet handles a dead zone without committing to a full-service contractor for a minor repair. Check our resodding guide for the step-by-step installation process if you haven't done it before.
Questions about which variety handles your shade situation? Or wondering how many pallets your yard actually needs? The calculator handles the math, and we're reachable at (904) 362-1337 or [email protected].
Know your supply cost before you call anyone.
We publish every price — sod supply by variety, delivery included. Use the calculator to get your full cost instantly, no call required.
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