ServicesSod Installation
Sod Installation in Belle Isle
We take out the tired turf, correct the grade and lay fresh sod the morning it arrives from the farm. You get a firm start date, an arrival window for the crew and a call from us if weather moves anything, then a clear watering plan.
When new sod is the right call
Sod makes sense when a lawn is too far gone for regular lawn care to bring it back: large bare patches, turf overrun by weeds, or ground disturbed by construction or a new sprinkler line. Seeding and plugging take months to grow in and spread. Sod gives you a finished surface the day we leave and a usable lawn once the roots knit in, usually within a few weeks of warm weather.
The grass is a living product with a short shelf life. Once it is cut at the farm, stacked pallets start to heat up, so the best installs happen when delivery, soil prep and the crew all line up on the same morning. That timing is what we plan around, and it is why we lay out the schedule plainly before anything is ordered.
If the real problem is a broken sprinkler zone or deep shade, we will tell you. New sod over an unsolved problem just fails more slowly.
What the work includes
- 01
Removing the old turf
We cut out the existing grass and weeds with a sod cutter rather than burying them. The old material is hauled away, not tilled back in where it can resprout.
- 02
Grading and soil prep
We loosen the top few inches, build up low spots and pitch the surface away from your home's foundation. Sandy soil gets amended where it needs help holding moisture.
- 03
Grass matched to your yard
Floratam St. Augustine handles full sun, Zoysia gives a denser and finer finish, and Bahia gets by on less water. We match the grass to sun, shade, foot traffic and how much upkeep you want.
- 04
Tight, staggered laying
Pieces go down in a brick pattern with seams butted close and edges cut clean along beds, walks and driveways. We roll the finished lawn so the roots make full contact with the soil.
- 05
Sprinkler check first
Before we lay, we run each zone to confirm coverage. Gaps or broken heads are flagged so they can be handled through our irrigation service before new grass depends on them.
- 06
Cleanup and a watering plan
Walks and drives are blown clean and scraps leave with us. You get written watering instructions for the first weeks.
Questions about Sod Installation?
Call(407) 783-8044Signs your lawn needs replacing, not rescuing
More bare ground than grass
When patches spread every season despite fertilizing and watering, the turf is spent. Sod resets it.
Weeds have taken over
Once weeds and off-type grasses cover most of the lawn, controlling them costs more than starting fresh.
Dead areas that keep coming back
Large brown sections in St. Augustine, often along hot driveway edges in summer, can mean chinch bugs or disease have weakened the grass beyond recovery.
Puddles and soggy low spots
Standing water after a storm points to a grading problem. We correct the grade during prep, which is easiest to do alongside new sod.
A project left bare soil
A new patio, pool work or a regraded yard leaves ground that needs covering before rain washes it away. We often follow hardscape installation with sod.
How install day runs
- 1
Walkthrough and estimate
We walk the yard with you, measure the area, check sun and drainage, and test the sprinklers. You get a written estimate with the grass type and square footage spelled out.
- 2
Setting the date
We set the install date and order the sod for that morning so it goes down fresh. You get an arrival window for the crew. If heavy rain will leave the soil too wet to work, we call to move the date before the farm cuts the grass, not after.
- 3
Prep and lay
The crew removes the old turf, grades and lays the new sod in one visit for most yards. Larger properties may take two days, and we tell you that up front.
- 4
Roll, soak and walk through
We roll the lawn, give it a first deep soak and walk the finished job with you, covering the watering schedule and when it is safe to mow.
What shapes the price of new sod
Every estimate is built from your yard's measurements and conditions, so two lawns of similar size can price differently. We itemize the grass, the prep and the labor so you can see where the cost sits. If you would rather spread out a larger project, we offer financing of up to $100,000, with terms anywhere from 2 to 12 years and no penalty for paying it off early.
- Square footage and access
- Sod is priced by area, and the pallets have to reach the yard. Narrow side gates or a fenced backyard add carrying time.
- Grass variety
- Zoysia and premium St. Augustine cultivars cost more per pallet than Bahia. Shade-tolerant varieties also run higher.
- Removal and grading
- Thick old turf, roots or buried debris take longer to clear. Significant regrading or added soil adds material and labor.
- Sprinkler repairs
- If zones need new heads or rerouting to cover the new lawn, that work is quoted separately so you can decide.
Sod installation questions
When is the best time of year to lay sod?
Warm-season grasses root fastest from spring through early fall, when the soil is warm. Summer rain in Belle Isle helps establishment but can push dates, which is why we keep you posted. Winter installs work too, though rooting is slower and the grass may look dull until spring.
How much should I water new sod?
Plan on short, frequent watering for the first week or two so the pad never dries out, then fewer and deeper cycles as roots take hold. Local watering rules generally allow extra watering for newly installed lawns for a limited period. We explain the current rules and leave you a written schedule.
When can we walk on it or mow?
Light foot traffic is fine after about a week. The first mow usually comes in two to three weeks, once a gentle tug no longer lifts the sod. Keep the mower set high for the first few cuts.
Can you lay new sod over my old grass?
We do not. Sod laid over old turf sits on a layer that blocks roots and holds moisture unevenly, so it often yellows and lifts. Removing the old lawn is part of every install we do.
What happens if it rains on install day?
Light rain is fine and even helps the sod settle. A soaked yard cannot be graded properly, so if the forecast looks bad we call you a day or two ahead and reschedule the delivery with you before the sod is cut.
Do I need to be home while you work?
Not necessarily. We need gate access and a way to reach the irrigation controller. Most people like to be there for the final walkthrough so we can go over watering together.
Plan your new lawn around a real date
Tell us about the yard by phone and we will set a time to walk it with you. You get a free estimate with the grass, the prep and the schedule laid out in writing.