How To Bid Laying Sod?

There is often a lazy gardener behind beautifully shaped lawn! Many people (just like me) opt for an easy way out when designing a lawn. There is no easier way to build a perfect lawn than laying sod in your yard. These ready-made patches of grass look natural enough to fool an expert.

Since a variety of people rely on this method it’s only wise to know how to bid laying sod. To make sure you charge the right price you should be aware of the standard rates for both sod and labor. The cost of laying sod largely depends on the lawn measurement and the quality of soil.

There is a fair amount of calculation that goes into it. However, you might end up overcharging your customers with a hefty bill, Trust me when I say that you will lose more customers if you keep doing this. Now that I’ve established how important this knowledge is, it’s time to delve into the details.

Bid Sod Based On Cost

Sod is one of the most suitable alternatives to natural grass that gives you the same benefits if not more. Laying sod will allow you to revamp your entire yard, and give you enough enriched soil to plant seeds. This is an ideal option for those who don’t want to put too much time or effort into preparing your soil.

However, the cost of laying sod has only been rising in recent years. Hence, it’s not wise to bid on laying sod without knowing the proper costs first. The following table should give you a general idea about sod laying costs.

Type of cost	Standard rate
1/5 per square of sod + labor cost	$6623 to $13681
Standard hourly cost	$38 to $78
1/5 per square acre of sod cost	$2813 to $7603
Per square foot sod cost	$0.87 to $1.76

These are the standard rates for laying sod along with the labor costs. You can choose any of these options based on your budget and the amount of land you need to layer. Keep in mind that the standard rates may differ based on the region you live in.

Some Important Factors To Consider

Besides the standard rates, there are still some conditions you need to consider when bidding for sod. The land you wish to work on might include some underlying issues that need to be fixed. Your first job after accepting the project is to inspect the land thoroughly for leaks and hiked pH levels.

Sometimes, even when the entire square footage has no issues, you might notice a steep incline near the drive way. This isn’t usually a problem unless the customer expects you to cover that particular area as well. You might have to add additional layers to even out the surface.

So, make sure you include the cost in your calculation. Another thing that often bothers me is a water leak in the underground sprinklers. I have faced this issue more than once where the customer either didn’t notice the issue or forgot to inform me about it.

Fixing the leak can take as little as 10 minutes or as much as 10 hours. You should charge no less than $70 for fixing the leak as you have to buy the materials as well. I would suggest charging by the hour in this case to make sure you don’t work harder than you signed up for.

The Best Way To Lay Sod

If you are already bidding on costs for laying sod, then you must know exactly how to install sod palettes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to preach to the choir.

But I have noticed there are certain steps that even some professionals seem to ignore. Make sure you don’t miss out on any of these steps if you want a recurring customer.

After reaching the site the initial task is to test the soil for any pH imbalance. This might affect the sod layer in the long run. Analyze the soil by taking samples and running tests in the lab.
Measuring the dimensions of the site is also a crucial part of laying sod. Take accurate measurements of both the width and length. This is extremely important for the initial calculation.
Check for weeds across the yard and remove them before you start laying the sod. Leaving any weed beneath the layer might cause problems in the future. You don’t want any weed pushing out of the sod layer which you took hours to install.
Only apply fertilizers after you determine the pH level of the soil. Make sure whether the soil is too acidic or alkaline and pick the right fertilizer. Consult with the land owner and note down the type of seeds he wants to plant. Taking all this into consideration will allow you to make the best pick.
Picking the right type of grass depends on the type of plants the owner wants in the garden. You can pick different qualities of sod for separate areas of the garden. It’s wise to keep the garden versatile enough for all types of plants and bushes to grow.
Water the soil based on the customer’s choice. If you want to keep the soil raw then avoid watering, it too often. You don’t need to worry about overwatering if your customers want the soil to be muddy.
This step is mainly to make your job easier. Laying down several square feet of land at once might be unproductive. It’s recommended to cut the sod layer into equal pieces based on the dimensions.
Be very careful when laying the sod. Take your time with the installation, and make sure the entire yard is level. Any uneven patches can prove to be an eyesore.
After you have covered the designated area with sod, don’t forget to maintain the yard. Make sure you apply ample amounts of water on a regular basis. This will make the soil enriched with nutrients, and help the grass grow faster.

Final Words

This should give you a general idea about the latest rates and how to bid on laying sod. You must make sure both you and your customer get your money’s worth. Take notes of all the information they provide and lay the sod accordingly. All the additional expenses must be stated beforehand.