Florida Lee CountyGuide to Sod Installation in Fort Myers, Florida
Quick Intro
Intro to Sod Grass in the Fort Myers Area
Fort Myers, FL has a warm and humid subtropical climate. The summer months are typically very hot and humid, while the winter months are cooler and drier.
This type of climate requires a grass that can withstand the humidity and heat, while also being able to tolerate dry, cool winter spells. Many homeowners prefer grass varieties such as Seashore Paspalum and Bermuda grass, as they have been designed to thrive in the region’s climate and soil.
Other grasses that do well in Fort Myers include Zoysiagrass, Centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, and some varieties of Fescue.
Let's take a look at some costs for different lawn sizes.
Fort Myers Sod Cost Chart
Listed below are average price ranges for various yard sizes and sod types
| Bermuda | Zoysia | St. Augustine | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $165 - $315 | $265 - $440 | $240 - $440 | $265 - $390 |
| 1000 sq ft | $340 - $640 | $540 - $890 | $490 - $890 | $540 - $790 |
| 1500 sq ft | $515 - $965 | $815 - $1340 | $740 - $1340 | $815 - $1190 |
| 2000 sq ft | $690 - $1290 | $1090 - $1790 | $990 - $1790 | $1090 - $1590 |
| 2500 sq ft | $865 - $1615 | $1365 - $2240 | $1240 - $2240 | $1365 - $1990 |
| 3000 sq ft | $1040 - $1940 | $1640 - $2690 | $1490 - $2690 | $1640 - $2390 |
*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 Fort Myers?
Because the daytime temperature averages between 65° and 81° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.
Average high in november
81°Average low in november
65°november is a
to lay sod in Fort Myers, FL
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 Fort Myers, Florida, the best sods to grow are warm-season grasses. Below is a list of these grasses and their ballpark prices:
Price Considerations
DIY vs. Hiring a Sod Installation Company
When it comes to sodding your new lawn in Fort Myers, Florida, 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.
Where to Buy Sod in Fort Myers - Local FL 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 $150 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Fort Myers, 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 10 closest sod farms to Fort Myers:- King Sod977 Pondella Rd North Fort Myers, FL 33903 6 miles away
- CAPE CORAL SOD LLC120 SE 23rd Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33990 9 miles away
- Duda Sod12250 South Hwy 29 Labelle, FL 33930 24 miles away
- Star Turf Farms265 Nursery Ln, Naples, FL 34119 25 miles away
- Florida Sod Inc250 S Bridge St Unit C., LaBelle, FL 33935 26 miles away
- Golden Gate Nursery14765 Collier Blvd. Naples, Florida 34119 26 miles away
- My Family Farms770 Mark White Rd, Felda, FL 33930 28 miles away
- ELA Sod Inc4220 7th Ave SW, Naples, FL 34119 29 miles away
- Hudson Ranch6826 SW Belvoir Dr, Arcadia, FL 34269 31 miles away
- Other Side Sod3358 SW CR 769, Arcadia, Florida 34269 33 miles away
What else?
Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Fort Myers
Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance
St. Petersburg is the largest city within 100 miles of Fort Myers. This means that St. Petersburg lawn companies near Fort Myers may charge more to cover the cost to travel to your property. But at the same time you will have more options to choose from, so make sure to get multiple quotes. We've seen how prices can vary wildly!
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 Fort Myers 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 Fort Myers?
As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $150 to $545 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 Fort Myers, Florida?
Warm season grasses grow best in Fort Myers in the Spring and early Summer. Cool season grasses grow best in the Fall and Spring.
How much is 200 square feet of sod in Fort Myers?
If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Fort Myers, 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
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.
