The Complete Guide · Updated 2026
Florida Sod Installation
St. Augustine vs. Bahia vs. Zoysia vs. Bermuda — pricing, pros and cons, and when each one is the right call for your lawn.
The 4 sod varieties we install across SW Florida — current pricing per pallet, installed cost per square foot, and which one matches your property and budget. St. Augustine and Bahia install at our published $1/sq ft rate (+50¢/sq ft old-lawn removal & disposal) — full pallet math and what the rate includes are on the sod pricing page.
4 Sod Varieties Compared
St. Augustine 'Floratam'
$400 installed / $600 replaced (400 sq ft)/pallet
$1/sq ft installed (+50¢ removal)
Best for: 90% of Cape Coral and Fort Myers homes
Pros
- ✓ Heat & salt tolerant
- ✓ Dense weed-blocking turf
- ✓ Standard for most SW FL lawns
Cons
- ✗ Susceptible to chinch bugs
- ✗ Requires regular fertilization
Bahia (Pensacola/Argentine)
$400 installed / $600 replaced (400 sq ft)/pallet
$1/sq ft installed (+50¢ removal)
Best for: Acreage, rural lots, unirrigated areas
Pros
- ✓ Survives without irrigation
- ✓ Drought-tolerant
- ✓ Low maintenance
Cons
- ✗ Coarser texture
- ✗ Tall seed heads
- ✗ Less dense turf
Zoysia 'Empire'
Custom quoted, usually same-day (400 sq ft pallet)/pallet
Custom quote
Best for: Premium homes, formal landscapes, partial shade
Pros
- ✓ Premium fine-blade look
- ✓ Drought & shade tolerant
- ✓ Slow-growing — less mowing
Cons
- ✗ Slower establishment
- ✗ Needs good drainage
Bermuda 'Tifway 419'
Custom quoted, usually same-day (400 sq ft pallet)/pallet
Custom quote
Best for: Athletic fields, full-sun lawns
Pros
- ✓ Sports-field grade
- ✓ Very heat-tolerant
- ✓ Recovers fast from wear
Cons
- ✗ Needs full sun
- ✗ More mowing required
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does sod cost in Florida?+
Our published rate is $1 per square foot installed, plus 50¢ per square foot to remove and dispose of the old lawn — so most full replacements come to $1.50/sq ft all-in. St. Augustine and Bahia install at the published rate; Zoysia and Bermuda are custom quoted. One pallet covers about 400 sq ft ($400 installed, $600 replaced), so a typical 5,000 sqft Cape Coral lawn replacement runs $7,500 all-in.
What is the best sod for Cape Coral and Fort Myers?+
St. Augustine 'Floratam' is the standard — installed in 80%+ of SW Florida residential lawns. It tolerates Cape Coral's alkaline soil, salt spray, and summer heat. We also install Bahia (budget), Zoysia 'Empire' (premium), and Bermuda 'Tifway 419' (sports-grade).
When is the best time to install sod in Florida?+
October through May is the optimal window — warm soil, less heat stress, and rooting before summer rainy season. We install year-round; summer installs just need more frequent watering during the first 14 days.
How long until I can walk on new sod?+
Light foot traffic at week 2, normal use at week 3, full mowing at week 4. The roots need to peg into the soil before any wear. Plan for 2 weeks of heavy watering (twice daily) followed by tapering to normal irrigation.
Do you remove old grass before installing new sod?+
Yes — we sod-cut and haul away the existing turf, grade and amend the soil, then lay fresh sod. Removing the old grass is critical; sod installed over existing turf rarely roots properly and dies within 60 days.
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