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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