Services
Sod Installation
Fresh sod installs in St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Bermuda — soil prep, leveling, lay, and roll for full seam contact. We schedule cut-and-place same day so blades arrive green and root in fast. A 14-day watering plan included with every install.
Pricing varies by site. Final scope, materials, and access influence the all-in number — we'll quote your specific project after a quick conversation.
About our sod installation work
Sod installs done right the first time — soil prep is what separates a lawn that takes from one that browns out in three weeks. We strip the old turf or weeds, till to break up compacted clay or caliche, and amend with compost and a starter fertilizer worked into the top 4 inches. The grade is laser-checked and raked smooth so finished sod sits 1/2 inch below adjacent hardscape — that prevents the lip and dieback you get from sod laid proud. Sod is cut-to-order from the farm and delivered the same morning we lay it. St. Augustine Palmetto and Raleigh handle San Antonio shade and clay better than the standard Floratam. Zoysia Empire gives a dense, fine-bladed finish for full sun with lower water demand once established. Bermuda Tifway 419 is the choice for full-sun, high-traffic yards and athletic-grade durability. Pieces are laid in a running-bond pattern with seams butted tight — no gaps, no overlap — then roll-compacted for full root-to-soil contact. Every install comes with a 14-day watering schedule keyed to weather and the SAWS new-install variance.
What's included
- Removal of existing turf, weeds, and debris
- Tilling and compost amendment of top 4 inches
- Laser-checked grading and rake-smoothing
- Starter fertilizer worked into soil before lay
- Same-day cut-and-place delivery from farm
- Running-bond lay pattern with tight seams
- Roll-compaction for full root-to-soil contact
- 14-day watering plan with SAWS variance guidance
Materials & techniques
St. Augustine Palmetto tolerates partial shade and clay better than older Floratam and holds color through mild winters. Raleigh is the cold-hardiest St. Augustine and the right pick for North Side yards that frost. Zoysia Empire is a medium-bladed zoysia with deep roots and excellent drought tolerance once established — slow to fill in, dense once it does. Bermuda Tifway 419 is fine-bladed, full-sun only, and recovers from traffic fast. Seams are butted, never overlapped — overlap causes hot spots and dieback. Roll-compaction with a 200-pound water-filled roller eliminates air pockets that desiccate roots in the first week.
How the project runs
- 1
Site prep
Existing turf and weeds are removed, irrigation heads flagged and protected, and the soil tilled to 4 inches to break up compaction before amendment.
- 2
Grading and amendment
Compost and starter fertilizer are tilled in, then the grade is laser-checked and raked smooth — pitched away from foundations and set 1/2 inch below hardscape.
- 3
Sod delivery
Pallets are cut at the farm the morning of install and delivered green. Sod sitting on a pallet over 24 hours in summer heat starts cooking from the inside out.
- 4
Lay and roll
Pieces go down in a running-bond pattern, seams butted tight, then a water-filled roller compacts the entire lawn for full root-to-soil contact.
- 5
Watering handoff
We deep-water the new lawn the same day and hand off a printed 14-day schedule with SAWS variance information and adjustment triggers for rain or heat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does new sod take to root in?
Roots tack in within 10 to 14 days under proper watering — meaning you can no longer lift a corner. Full establishment with deep root development takes 6 to 8 weeks.
How often should I water new sod in San Antonio?
Twice a day for the first 7 days — morning and early afternoon — then daily for week two, then taper to deep, infrequent watering by week three. The SAWS new-install variance permits this schedule with documentation.
Which sod is best for shade?
St. Augustine Palmetto handles partial shade better than any other warm-season turf we install. Anything under 4 hours of direct sun is too dark for sod — that's a groundcover or hardscape situation.
Can sod be installed in summer?
Yes — summer is actually a strong install window because warm-season grasses root fastest in soil temps above 70 degrees. The watering schedule is more demanding, but establishment is faster than a fall install.
Do I need to remove my old lawn first?
Yes. Laying sod over existing turf or heavy weeds means the new sod is rooting into a dead thatch layer instead of soil — it will brown out within a month. We strip, till, and amend before lay.
Why hire us for sod installation
In-house crew
Design, build, irrigation, and maintenance all run under one roof — no subbing out, no juggling vendors. You get one project manager from sketch through final walk-through.
San Antonio specialists
Built for South-Central Texas — heavy clay, caliche, long dry summers, and flash rain. Our designs and installs are tuned to what survives and looks good locally.
Clear pricing
No surprise line items. We size the work after a quick conversation or site visit and issue a written quote with materials and labor broken out so you can compare apples to apples.
