Landscaping & Lawn Cost: Turf, Sod, Irrigation, and Lawn Care Pricing

Lawn and landscaping costs split into two very different categories: one-time installation projects (turf, sod, sprinkler systems) and ongoing service plans (lawn care programs like TruGreen). This guide covers both, starting with the one-time projects since those are the larger dollar figures, then the recurring lawn care side.

Artificial Turf Cost

Artificial turf averages $5,358 installed, with a typical range of $2,961 to $7,792 for a standard residential lawn. Per square foot, installed pricing commonly runs $4 to $12 depending on turf quality, pile height, and how much ground prep (grading, drainage, weed barrier) the site needs. It's a larger upfront investment than sod, but with a 10 to 25 year lifespan and no mowing, watering, or fertilizing, the ongoing cost is close to zero.

Sod Installation Cost

Sod runs $1 to $2 per square foot installed, materially cheaper upfront than artificial turf, but it comes with real ongoing costs, mowing, watering, and fertilizing, that turf doesn't have. For a typical yard, total project cost scales directly with square footage; a 2,000 sq ft lawn commonly lands in the $2,000 to $4,000 range for sod plus installation.

Hydroseeding Cost

Hydroseeding, spraying a slurry of grass seed, mulch, and fertilizer instead of laying sod, is the budget option for establishing a new lawn from scratch. It typically costs a fraction of sod per square foot, but takes weeks to fully establish versus sod's near-instant lawn, a real trade-off between cost and how fast you want a usable yard.

Sprinkler and Irrigation System Cost

A standard in-ground sprinkler system typically runs $2,500 to $5,500 installed for a suburban-sized yard, depending on the number of zones, head type, and how much trenching the layout requires. Larger or more complex properties with multiple zones cost more.

TruGreen and Lawn Care Service Cost

TruGreen and similar lawn care programs are priced as ongoing plans, not one-time jobs. Most homeowners pay $300 to $900 per year for a standard-size lawn on a core fertilization and weed control plan, with per-visit pricing around $60 to $120. Larger lawns, or plans that add aeration, overseeding, and pest control, commonly run $1,000 to $2,000 or more per year.

Independent local lawn care providers typically price below national franchise brands for comparable service, the same brand-premium pattern seen across other franchise home services.

Robotic Lawn Mowers

A robotic mower is a product purchase, not an installation service, typically $600 to $3,000 depending on yard size and features (boundary wire vs. GPS-guided models). Setup is usually minimal compared to the turf, sod, or irrigation projects above.

What Affects the Cost

Project type. One-time installation (turf, sod, sprinklers) versus ongoing service (lawn care plans) are fundamentally different cost categories, as this guide's structure shows.

Yard size. The biggest driver within any single project type, larger areas mean more material and labor regardless of what you're installing.

Site condition. Existing grading, drainage, and soil quality affect prep cost for turf, sod, and hydroseeding alike.

Brand vs. independent provider. TruGreen and similar national brands typically price above independent local lawn care companies for comparable service.

Getting an Accurate Quote

Have ready: your yard's approximate square footage, which project you're considering (turf, sod, irrigation, or an ongoing care plan), and any specific problem areas (bare patches, drainage issues, existing irrigation).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does landscaping cost?

Depends heavily on scope. Sod runs $1 to $2 per sq ft, artificial turf averages $5,358 installed, and sprinkler systems typically run $2,500 to $5,500.

How much does artificial turf cost for 1,000 square feet?

At $4 to $12 per square foot installed, roughly $4,000 to $12,000 depending on turf quality and site prep needs.

How much does TruGreen cost?

$300 to $900 per year for a standard lawn on a core plan, up to $2,000+ for larger lawns or plans with aeration and overseeding included.

How much does sod cost per square foot?

$1 to $2 per square foot installed, cheaper upfront than artificial turf but with ongoing mowing and watering costs.

How much does a sprinkler system cost to install?

$2,500 to $5,500 for a standard suburban yard, more for larger properties or additional zones.

How much does hydroseeding cost?

Less than sod per square foot, since it's sprayed rather than laid, but it takes several weeks to fully establish versus sod's near-instant coverage.

Bottom Line

Turf, sod, and irrigation are one-time projects priced mainly by square footage; TruGreen and similar lawn care plans are ongoing subscriptions priced by lawn size and service level. Keep those two categories separate when budgeting, and compare independent local providers against national brands for lawn care specifically, since the brand premium there is real.

Related reading

National averages are useful for planning. Verify pricing against a quote for your home before treating any range as final.