New lawns · New builds · Bare lots
Residential Sod Installation in Hamilton
Builder grade, bare dirt or a seeded yard that never filled in? We fix the ground first, then lay fresh-cut Kentucky Bluegrass so your new lawn roots in, drains properly and stays level.
Serving Hamilton, Burlington, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown & nearby towns
- WSIB-covered crew
- Fully insured
- Sod guarantee
- Fresh-cut from local farms
A New Lawn Only Lasts If the Ground Under It Is Right
When new sod fails, the sod is rarely the problem. The ground is.
On a typical new-build lot, heavy equipment has packed the clay subsoil hard, construction debris is buried just below the surface, and the topsoil is a thin skim spread at the end of the job. Sod laid on that roots shallowly. It looks great for a month, browns out in the first July heat wave and puddles every spring because water can't soak through the clay underneath.
Older yards have their own version of the problem: settled low spots, tree roots, decades of compaction, and a slope that drifts back toward the house.
That's why every Right On Sod installation starts below the surface. We check how the yard drains and how it slopes, break up compacted ground and give the roots a loose, fertile bed to grow into. Where the grade needs correcting, we quote that up front as an add-on. Only then does the sod go down.
What's included
What's Included in Our Sod Installation
Site Check and Measuring
We measure the lawn area, check the slope away from your foundation, look for spots where water collects and plan equipment access through gates and side yards.
Soil Preparation
We clear the ground of rocks and construction debris, loosen compacted soil and level a smooth, firm bed for the sod. Ground clearing and preliminary soil prep and levelling are included in the installation price.
Grading and Levelling (Add-On)
Where the yard slopes the wrong way or has low spots, we regrade it so water runs away from the house. This adds about $1.00 per sq ft. See grading & levelling.
Fresh-Cut Kentucky Bluegrass
Sod from locally grown, premium Ontario sod farms, scheduled so it goes down within 24–48 hours of being cut.
Tight, Staggered Laying
Rolls are butted tight and staggered like brickwork so seams don't line up, edges are cut cleanly around beds and walkways, and the finished lawn is rolled for firm soil contact.
Aftercare Plan and Clean-Up
You get a simple watering schedule for the first few weeks, and we take away offcuts and debris.
Fresh-Cut Kentucky Bluegrass from Local Farms
Kentucky Bluegrass is the standard lawn grass in southern Ontario for good reason. It forms a dense, soft turf, handles our cold winters, and spreads by underground stems called rhizomes, so small worn spots fill back in on their own.
Freshness matters as much as the variety. Once sod is cut and rolled, it starts to heat up on the pallet. Leave it too long and the grass yellows and roots more slowly. We source from locally grown, premium Ontario sod farms, including Greenhorizons Sod Farms, and time each delivery so the sod is laid within 24–48 hours of cutting.
Bluegrass loves sun. If part of your yard sits under heavy shade, we'll tell you so at the site visit and talk through options. That's better than finding out next summer.
Our guarantee
Backed by Our 14-Day Fresh-Cut Sod Guarantee
Our process
Our Sod Installation Process
Instant Quote
Enter your approximate lawn size in our calculator for a price range in seconds, or call (289) 309-1493.
Site Visit and Measure
We come out, measure properly, check the grade and soil, confirm your price and book an install date, usually within one to two weeks.
Grade and Prep
Debris out, compacted ground loosened, low spots filled and the slope corrected where needed.
Lay and Roll
Fresh sod laid tight and staggered, edges trimmed, then rolled so every piece makes full contact with the soil.
Water and Aftercare
Your new lawn needs its first soaking the same day it's laid. You get a schedule for the next few weeks: in most weather that means deep daily watering at first, then tapering off as the roots take hold.
SEE OUR WORK
Recent Sod Installation by Right On Sod Hamilton
Finished lawns from recent Right On Sod jobs in Hamilton. Every photo is our own work, not stock photography.
When Homeowners Call Us for New Sod
A New Build After the Builder's Grading
The house is done, the yard is bare clay and you want a lawn before the dust and mud take over.
After Construction or Excavation
Additions, pool installs and removals, septic or utility work. The machines are gone and the yard needs rebuilding.
Seed That Never Filled In
Patchy, thin growth after a season or two of seeding. Sod gives you a full lawn from day one.
Moving In or Getting Ready to Sell
A finished lawn is one of the quickest ways to make a property look cared for.
Kids, Dogs and Play Space
You need durable turf soon, not a roped-off seedbed for half the summer.
Turning Beds or Gravel Into Lawn
Old gardens, gravel pads or overgrown corners converted into usable grass.
Signs It's Time for New Sod
- Bare dirt or mud where grass should be
- You've seeded twice and it still hasn't filled in
- Water sits on the surface after rain
- The yard is bumpy, rutted or uneven
- There are more weeds than grass
- You need a finished lawn by a date, not "eventually"
Not Sure If You Need New Sod?
Tell us what you're seeing. We'll say honestly whether sod, seed or a simple repair makes the most sense.
Get a Free Instant QuoteWhy Right On Sod
Why Choose Right On Sod for Your New Lawn
Grade First, Every Time
We don't lay sod over a slope that runs toward your house or a low spot that will hold water. Fixing it now costs far less than redoing the lawn later.
Fresh Sod from Local Farms
Sourced from locally grown, premium Ontario sod farms and laid within 24–48 hours of cutting, so it roots fast and greens up quickly.
A Careful, Insured Crew
Liability-insured and WSIB-covered. We protect your driveway and walkways and leave the site clean.
Prices You Can See Up Front
Our per-square-foot prices are published on this site and in the calculator. No guessing what a "starting at" number really means.
What it costs
Sod installation runs $2.00–$2.50 per sq ft (about $21.50–$26.90 per m²) subject to 13% HST, with a $1,500 minimum. Grading adds about $1.00 per sq ft where it's needed. See full pricing →
Service area
Sod Installation Near You
Based in Hamilton, we handle sod installation in Hamilton and in these nearby towns: Burlington, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Waterdown & Flamborough, Grimsby, Dundas, Binbrook & Glanbrook and Caledonia. (Area links rendered by the template.)
Sod Installation FAQ
How long does a sod installation take?
Most residential lawns are prepped and laid in one to two days. Jobs with significant grading, topsoil or old-lawn removal take longer. We'll give you a firm schedule at the site visit.
Do you grade before you lay sod?
We always check the grade, and preliminary levelling is part of our prep. If the yard slopes toward the house or has low spots that hold water, we recommend full grading, which adds about $1.00 per sq ft. Laying sod over a bad grade only hides the problem for a while.
Can you sod right after the builder's final grade?
Usually, yes, once the ground is workable. First check your purchase agreement: many builders are responsible for final grading and sod, and doing it yourself early can affect that. If it's on you, we'll check the grade, add soil where the builder left it thin and lay sod.
How much topsoil do you put down?
It depends on what's already there. Where a builder left only a skim of topsoil over clay, we add enough to give the roots a loose, fertile layer. Added topsoil is quoted on site, based on what the yard needs. Where the existing soil is good, we loosen and level it rather than burying it.
What are the most common sod-laying mistakes?
- Laying sod on compacted or unprepared soil
- Leaving gaps at the seams, or not staggering the joints
- Letting sod sit rolled on the pallet too long
- Under-watering in the first two weeks
- Walking on or mowing the lawn before the roots have taken hold
- Ignoring the grade, so water pools or runs toward the house
Book Your New Lawn
Price your lawn in seconds, or call (289) 309-1493 to book a free site visit.