Punch in your lawn size, pick a sod blend and choose how much of the work you want done for you. This 2026 Ontario sod calculator gives you a realistic low-to-high price band, the number of pallets to order and a plain-English breakdown. Built from real Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Niagara jobs the Peace Love crew has installed since 2008.
Sod blend
Install type
Estimated cost: $0 to $0
Pallets needed: 0 (1 pallet ≈ 600 sqft)
What this includes (and what it doesn't)
The estimate covers fresh-cut Ontario-grown sod at the pallet, the install labour tier you pick and any add-ons you toggle on. Pro install assumes a reasonably level lawn that just needs the existing turf scuffed, raked and topped up before lay. Full reno covers stripping the old lawn, importing and spreading 4 inches of screened triple-mix, fine grading and rolling, then laying sod tight with staggered seams.
What is not in the number: irrigation install or repair, drainage corrections (French drains, regrading for slope), retaining work, tree root removal, dump fees beyond standard turf haul, post-install fertilizer programs and weekly maintenance. If your yard has serious grade, drainage or access issues we will flag it during the site visit before we quote.
How the math works
Sod in Ontario is sold by the pallet. One standard pallet covers roughly 600 square feet (about 50 square metres, or 70 rolls at 10 sqft each). The calculator rounds up to the next whole pallet because suppliers do not split pallets and leftover rolls dry out within a day or two anyway. If you land at 1,250 sqft, plan for 3 pallets and use the offcuts to patch thin spots or edge garden beds.
2026 Ontario sod pricing sits at roughly $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot for Kentucky bluegrass at the pallet, $0.65 to $0.95 for tall fescue blends, $0.65 to $1.00 for shade mixes and $0.70 to $1.00 for sports / heavy-traffic blends. Delivery off the farm runs $0.20 to $0.30 per sqft inside the GTA-Hamilton-Niagara triangle, with a $200 to $300 surcharge for rural drops past Caledonia, Smithville, Grimsby or Beamsville.
Pro install at basic prep is $1.50 to $3.00 per sqft on top of the sod. Full renovations land between $3.00 and $5.50 per sqft because we are stripping the dead lawn, bringing in soil and grading before we ever cut the first roll. Imported topsoil at 4 inches deep adds $1.10 to $1.80 per sqft delivered and spread, which is the single biggest swing factor in most quotes. For a deeper cost breakdown by neighbourhood and project size, see our 2026 Ontario sod cost guide.
Regional and soil notes
Hamilton Mountain, Stoney Creek and Ancaster sit on heavy clay. Sod laid straight onto clay rarely roots well past year two. We almost always recommend 3 to 4 inches of triple-mix on top, which pushes you toward the full reno tier but pays back in a lawn that survives August.
Burlington and Oakville are mixed: lakefront and Aldershot lots tend to be sandier loam, while north Burlington and Glen Abbey clay-up fast. A soil probe during the site visit decides whether we import topsoil or just amend.
Niagara (Grimsby, Beamsville, Lincoln, NOTL) has the friendliest soil in the region. Loam over old orchard ground holds moisture well, so basic prep installs perform fine if the existing grade is clean. Rural delivery surcharges apply west of Smithville.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this sod calculator?
It is a planning estimate, not a quote. Real numbers for your lawn depend on access (can the skid steer get to the back?), grade, soil condition and whether we hit irrigation lines or tree roots. Most jobs land inside the calculator's low-to-high range, but anything over 2,000 sqft or with grade issues needs a site visit.
What is the best time to lay sod in Ontario?
Mid-April through early June, and again from late August through October. Mid-summer installs work but need daily watering for 2 to 3 weeks and burn out fast if you miss a day. We avoid laying sod in July and August unless the client has automatic irrigation already running.
Can I just do it myself with a delivery?
Yes, for small lawns under 800 sqft on flat ground. Pick “Delivery only” in the calculator, rent a sod cutter or roller for the prep, and plan to lay it the same day the pallets arrive. Past 1,000 sqft the labour gets brutal and the rolls start drying before you finish.
How long until I can walk and mow new sod?
Light foot traffic at 2 weeks, first mow at 3 weeks on the highest mower setting, full use including kids and pets at 4 to 6 weeks depending on rooting.
Does the price include taking away my old lawn?
Only if you toggle “Old lawn removal” on, or you pick the “Full reno” install tier (which includes strip and haul). Basic pro install assumes the existing lawn stays in place and gets scuffed up for the new sod to root into.
Bluegrass, fescue or shade blend for my yard?
Kentucky bluegrass for full sun and a classic lawn look. Tall fescue blend for drought tolerance and lower watering bills. Shade blend if more than half the lawn gets under 4 hours of direct sun. Sports blend for heavy kid-and-dog traffic where the lawn doubles as a play surface.
- 2026 Ontario sod cost guide
- Our sod installation service
- Lawn care & maintenance
- Artificial turf alternative
Not sure which material? Compare the trade-offs: Sod vs hydroseed vs seed.