If you live in Central Florida – whether that’s Orlando, Winter Garden, Lake Nona, Clermont, or any of the beautiful spots in between – you already know how fast a lawn can transform the look and feel of your home.
It's no secret – fresh sod instantly boosts curb appeal. It makes outdoor spaces usable again. It turns bare sand or struggling turf into something that looks finished and feels polished.
But here’s the thing that most homeowners don’t realize (until it’s too late): Not all sod installation proposals are created equal.
Choosing the right partner to help with sod installation is a big decision – and many landscape companies or sod companies will miss the mark.
Your proposal needs to note what’s included (and what’s not), how prep work is handled, post-install care expectations, and warranty terms.
All of these elements play a major role in whether your new lawn thrives or fails – within mere weeks.
Do you want our hot take? (You're reading this, so we're assuming you're here for it). A good sod proposal should answer your questions before you even know to ask them.
This blog breaks down exactly what you should look for in sod proposals and sod installation contracts, covers the questions to ask your landscaper during the consultation process, and even explains how to protect yourself from sod failure, warranty issues, and unexpected costs.
And, of course, it's all tailored to our unique location and climate, right here in Central Florida.
When reviewing sod proposals, one of the first things to look for is transparency.
A professional proposal should clearly spell out elements of your sod situation, like:
One key tip to always remember? Look for total square footage – not just pallet count.
Why does this matter? Because not all sod pallets are the same size. Some are 400 square feet, others are not. Total square footage allows you to compare proposals apples-to-apples and avoid surprises later.
That's an easy answer – yes. And this is a non-negotiable, in our book.
Sod installation contracts protect both the homeowner and the landscaper. A proper Florida sod landscape contract outlines:
If a landscaper is hesitant to provide a written contract or proposal with detailed notes, we think it's important to treat that as a red flag – especially for full sod removal and installation jobs.
Just like everywhere else, sod installation costs in Central Florida will vary. And how that cost works is based on several unique factors, like:
One of the most common misunderstandings we see is that quotes include sod materials and installation, but fail to include demolition. And the demo will cost you.
Sod removal is a major part of a full sod installation. Removing old grass, weeds, and root systems properly takes time, labor, and equipment. If it’s excluded, your quote may look cheaper upfront, which is nice in theory – but it can lead to major issues later.
The moral of the story is this – always read the fine print.
When it comes to sod installation, prep work is everything. It's one of the most important parts of your sod project – even more important than the installation.
A quality sod installation should include:
Pre-treating the lawn before installation helps reduce the chance of weeds pushing through the new sod. It's important to remember that your sod install isn't just about how it looks – it's about how it holds up over time.
Skipping prep work is one of the fastest ways to end up with nice-looking sod installation, but overall sod failure.
Sod consultations are usually measured by the same metric of success: getting the best possible price. But it's important to reframe this and realize that a consultation isn’t just about getting a good price; it’s about using it as an opportunity to fully understand the process.
Good questions to ask your potential sod installer could include:
Think about it from a big-picture perspective. If additional grading or soil removal is needed, that may increase costs, especially if machine access isn’t available. Hand removal is far more labor-intensive, and that matters when pricing.
A professional landscaper won’t hide any of these details. Their proposal should be note-heavy and very clear from the start. Honesty truly matters in a consult because it shows you how professional and transparent your potential landscape partner is.
Right here – this is where most problems happen.
Once sod is installed, the homeowner is 100% responsible for care – and if it's not already, that should be clearly stated in the contract.
Proper post-install care will vary based on the type of sod you've had installed, but it almost always includes things like:
In Central Florida, it's no shock that watering is especially tricky. During wet seasons, overwatering can lead to root rot, fungal issues, and pest problems. (The joys of our wet season). But turning off irrigation completely because “it’s been raining” often causes more harm than good.
St. Augustine and Zoysia must be watered consistently. That said, how you care for your sod is going to completely depend on the type of sod you chose, how it was installed, and the type of weather you've been dealing with.
It can be! But remember, just like everything in life, it's likely covered with conditions.
Most sod warranties are 30 days, and they typically require homeowners to do things like:
If these steps aren’t followed, the warranty could be void. It's important to point out that, in most cases, this isn't about getting out of a warranty. It's more of an agreement on the understanding of sod biology!
Sod needs support during its establishment period to develop a healthy root system.
It always depends on where you're located and the kind of sod you're dealing with, but we've found that the most common reasons sod fails in Central Florida include:
One big mistake? Scalping new sod.
Push mowers often cut St. Augustine too low, even at their highest setting. Scalping stresses the grass, dries out the soil faster, and weakens the lawn when it needs strength most.
Ground Source does offer sod delivery for homeowners who want to DIY, but before you take that big step, it’s crucial to understand the risks of handling sod yourself.
Like anything else, there are dos and don'ts for sod installations.
DIY sod needs to be installed within 48 hours of being cut, which makes buying sod online tricky.
You'll have to work fast once it's delivered. The prep work also usually requires specialized equipment, such as sod cutters, trailers, and dumpsters, to do the job right.
We also like to warn all DIYers: sod disposal, demo, and install are very physically demanding and can be extremely taxing (and, in some cases, mentally taxing).
If you don’t regularly do manual labor, sod installation can be a shock to your back, hands, and joints. For most homeowners, full-service removal and installation is the safer, more reliable option – especially for larger properties that require equipment and extensive hands-on attention.
For more, let's look at a few questions we often hear from customers who want to install new sod in their lawns.
Yes, one thousand times yes! A detailed contract protects you and ensures expectations are clear. That way, you know what you're getting, you know what's expected of your team, and you know where your responsibilities come in. Clarity makes all the difference, and contracts help ensure that happens.
It's always going to vary, so it's tough to share an estimate off the cuff without knowing the size of your space, the demo costs, the prep work necessary, etc.!
Costs will range based on square footage, sod type, and prep work. Remember, always compare based on total square feet and included services.
Well, usually, and typically for 30 days. Most sod warranties require that you follow the post-care requirements to the letter in order to retain that warranty.
This will depend on your sod partner and the stipulations for your sod install. Importantly, though, refunds depend on contract terms. Sod is a perishable product, so warranties usually focus on replacement rather than refunds.
In most cases, failure is tied to watering, treatment, or mowing issues. Following post-care instructions is a must to try to avoid this!
At Ground Source, we provide professional sod installation, removal, and sod delivery throughout Central Florida (including Orlando, Winter Garden, Lake Nona, Clermont, and surrounding areas).
We take pride in our so consults, and our proposals are clear, detailed, and designed to set homeowners up for success!
Whether you’re looking for full-service sod installation or DIY sod delivery, we’ll walk you through the process, explain expectations, and help your lawn thrive from day one.
Ready to get started? Contact our team at Ground Source to schedule your custom sod consultation.