Leaving the rolls on the pallet[2]
What happens
Stacked sod heats up and dries out; it yellows, roots poorly and leaves dead patches.
How to avoid it
Have it delivered on laying day, keep the pallets in the shade and lay all the sod the same day.
Guide · Sod
Laying sod on good topsoil
A sod lawn takes quickly when it sits on topsoil that is deep enough, well graded and watered from the moment it is laid. This guide covers removing the old lawn, spreading topsoil, laying with staggered seams and the first weeks of watering. Soil, roll and pallet quantities come from the calculator.
Draft.This guide is a draft. It has not yet been reviewed by an experienced installer or an engineer. Quantities and times come from the engine; the text may still change.
In this guide
Your project
The guide's typical project: 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) of sod on 150 mm (5.9 in) of topsoil. The quantities below come from the calculator and drive every time in this guide.
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Topsoil (screened lawn soil), bulk | 17.3 m³ (22.6 cu yd) |
| Sod (2 ft by 5 ft rolls) | 114 rolls |
| Sod pallets (70 rolls) | 2 pallets |
Computed for: Quebec (province)
Estimated total working time
- Beginner
- 59 person-h38 to 104 person-h
- Intermediate
- 40 person-h28 to 63 person-h
The total and each step's time come from the same calculation as the estimator: the steps plus machine learning add up to the total. Planning steps (locate request, permits) keep the guide's fixed time.
Phase 1 · Assessment
Assess the yard and plan the delivery
Sod gives you a lawn in a day. A lawn typically has 100 to 150 mm of topsoil; a thicker layer holds rainwater better.
The surface must fall away from the house: if water sits near the foundation, fix the grading first (see the grading guide). Spring and early fall are the easiest seasons; never lay on frozen ground.
In Quebec, standards BNQ 0605-100 (preparation, soil, sodding) and BNQ 0605-300 (sod quality) are the reference for professional specifications. They are paid documents: ask the contractor whether they follow them.
01Look over the yard[1, 2, 3]
- Note the full-sun and shaded areas over a day: common sod needs sun.
- Find the hollows where water sits after rain and which way the ground slopes.
- Push a screwdriver into the ground in several places: if it goes in poorly, the soil is compacted and must be loosened or covered with a good depth of topsoil.
- Locate sprinkler heads, lighting cables and access boxes.
Done when : You have a sketch of the future lawn with its measured area, the shaded zones, the hollows and the slope direction.
Safety : Flag sprinkler heads, cables and access boxes before running any machine.
02Measure, order and set the delivery date[2, 3, 4, 5]
- Enter the lawn area and topsoil depth in the calculator: it adds a margin for cuts and settlement, then gives the rolls, pallets and soil in cubic yards.
- Have the soil delivered a few days ahead, and the sod on the morning you will lay it.
- Plan a shaded spot for the pallets and a firm surface for the bulk soil, close to the work area.
Done when : Soil and sod are ordered, the sod arrives on laying day and the delivery spot is cleared.
Safety : Put the bulk pile and pallets away from windows, overhead wires and the street; a dump truck needs room to raise its box.
Phase 2 · Permits and locates
Locates, watering rules and contract
Info-Excavation. Removing turf and grading is digging: file the free request if you take out the old lawn or correct the levels.
Watering. Municipalities regulate watering with drinking water, and many have provisions for new lawns. Check your city's bylaw before ordering: it often sets the days, hours and conditions for more frequent watering.
Licence and contract. Laying sod on private land needs no RBQ licence, and the R-20 Act treats sodding as construction only in cases set by regulation. If you hire someone, ask for a written contract, as the OPC recommends.
01Request a locate and check the watering bylaw[2, 3, 6, 7]
- File the Info-Excavation request for the whole area to strip or grade, and wait for the marks.
- Read the municipal drinking water bylaw: allowed days and hours, conditions for a new lawn, a temporary permit if one is needed.
- If a watering ban is in force or announced, postpone the job.
Done when : The marks are on the ground (or every answer is in) and you know when and how you will be allowed to water the new lawn.
Safety : Do not strip with a machine within 1 m of a mark; work by hand near the marks.
Phase 3 · Excavation
Remove the old lawn and rough-grade
Remove the old lawn rather than burying it: buried clumps rot and leave hollows. A sod cutter slices even strips that are easy to roll up.
Rough grading sets the shape: slope outward, at least 2% on the lawn and more next to the foundation, with no closed hollow.
01Remove the old lawn[2, 3]
- Set the sod cutter to slice below the roots, then cut parallel strips.
- Roll up the strips and wheel them out.
- Depending on your city, the clumps go to compost, the ecocentre or a container; they can also fill a hollow under the subsoil, roots up.
Done when : The whole area is bare, with no tufts or thick roots, and the edges along paths are clean.
Safety : A sod cutter is heavy and pulls forward: safety boots, hearing protection, gloves; stop the engine to clear the blade. Wet strips are heavy: lift with your legs.
02Rough-grade the area[1, 2, 3, 8]
- Remove stones, branches and debris.
- Loosen compacted spots with a fork or a tiller.
- Set the slope: the surface falls away from the house, with no closed hollow.
- Leave room under edges, paths and window wells for the topsoil and the sod thickness.
Done when : The rough surface falls away from the house everywhere and sits one topsoil plus sod depth below the hard surfaces next to it.
Safety : A tiller can jump on a root or stone: hold it with both hands and keep your feet clear of the tines.
Phase 4 · Base
Spread and shape the topsoil
Screened lawn soil spreads well and leaves no clumps. The calculator includes a margin for settlement: freshly spread soil loses depth as it firms up.
Soil is sold in bulk by the cubic yard or in bags; beyond a few square metres, delivered bulk costs much less. Do not work soaked soil: it packs into mud.
01Spread the topsoil[1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11]
- Move the soil by wheelbarrow or track carrier and drop it in small piles across the area.
- Spread it with a rake to the target depth, checking with a ruler or marker stakes.
- Keep the slope outward and finish below paths and edges by the thickness of one sod strip.
Done when : Soil covers the whole area at the target depth, measured in several places, and the slope runs away from the house.
Safety : Fill the wheelbarrow half full on slopes, and alternate shovelling and raking to spare your back.
02Fine-grade and roll lightly[2, 3, 11]
- Rake finely to remove pebbles and break up clumps.
- Run a half-filled lawn roller over it: it shows the hollows to fill.
- Moisten the soil the day before or on the morning of laying if it is dry.
Done when : The surface is smooth and firm: a footstep leaves only a shallow print, and no puddle forms when it is watered.
Safety : A water-filled roller is heavy on a slope: work across it, not downhill.
Phase 5 · Install and finish
Lay, roll, water and follow up
Delivered sod heats up on the pallet: lay it the same day. Start along a straight line (path, edging) and stagger the seams from row to row, like bricks. Butt the strips tightly without overlapping or stretching them.
Roll the lawn, then water right away and deeply. For the first weeks, keep the soil moist without puddles and stay off it, within the hours your city allows.
When a corner gently tugged holds firm, the roots have taken: the first mowing can follow, with a sharp blade set high.
01Lay the strips with staggered seams[2, 3, 4, 12]
- Unroll the first row along a straight line.
- Start the next row with a half strip to stagger the seams.
- Push each strip against the previous one with no overlap; do not stretch it.
- Trim edges and curves with a sharp knife; avoid small pieces at the edges, which dry out fast.
- Kneel on a board laid on the strips already placed, not on the prepared soil.
Done when : Seams are tight and staggered everywhere, with no gap or overlap, and no edge piece is smaller than half a strip.
Safety : Wet rolls are heavy: carry them close to your body and bend your knees. Wear knee pads and keep the knife closed when not cutting.
02Roll the lawn and water it deeply[2, 3]
- Run the lawn roller over the whole lawn to press the roots against the soil.
- Water right away, enough to wet the soil under the strips; in hot weather, water the first sections while you lay the next ones.
- Lift a corner of a strip: the soil underneath must be moist.
Done when : The whole lawn is rolled and, under every corner lifted to check, the soil is moist.
Safety : Do not leave hoses across walkways; respect the permitted watering hours.
03Look after the lawn for the first weeks[2, 3]
- Keep the soil under the strips moist, without puddles, watering during permitted hours.
- Stay off the lawn, especially in the first days.
- Watch the seams: if they open, watering is not enough.
- Gently tug a corner of a strip: once it holds, mow a first time, taking off little, with a sharp blade.
Done when : A gently tugged corner holds everywhere: the roots have taken in the soil and the seams stay closed.
Safety : Before the first mowing, pick up objects on the lawn and keep children away from the mower.
Common mistakes
Laying on too little soil or on compacted ground[1]
What happens
Roots stay at the surface, the lawn yellows in the first dry spell and needs more water all summer.
How to avoid it
Plan 100 to 150 mm of topsoil on loosened ground, more if you want a lawn that holds water better.
Letting the lawn slope toward the house[1, 8]
What happens
Rainwater collects against the foundation and seeps into the basement; the lawn stays soggy near the wall.
How to avoid it
Give the lawn at least a 2% slope, and more next to the foundation, before spreading the soil.
Lining up seams or overlapping strips[2]
What happens
Lined-up seams open into long dry lines; overlaps make bumps that yellow and catch the mower.
How to avoid it
Stagger seams like bricks, butt the strips tightly and trim with a knife rather than folding.
Watering too little, or too much at once[2]
What happens
Too little and the strips shrink and the seams open; too much and water puddles and the roots lack air.
How to avoid it
Keep the soil moist without puddles for the first weeks, checking under a corner of a strip and following the municipal bylaw.
Walking or mowing too soon[2]
What happens
Footsteps dent the wet soil, shift the strips and tear the young roots.
How to avoid it
Stay off the lawn for the first days and wait until a tugged corner holds before the first mowing.
Ordering exactly the measured area[2, 4]
What happens
Cuts and irregular edges run short of strips at the end of the day, and a second delivery is expensive.
How to avoid it
Add a margin for cuts, as the calculator does, and round up to whole rolls and pallets.
Laying in a heat wave or on frozen ground[2]
What happens
In heat, sod dries faster than it roots; on frozen ground, the roots cannot take.
How to avoid it
Aim for spring or early fall, when watering is possible and the ground is not frozen.
Laying on a steep slope without anchoring[1]
What happens
The strips slide in the first rain and the soil goes with them.
How to avoid it
Lay strips across the slope and pin them; beyond 33%, plan stabilization or a wall rather than sod alone.
When to call a pro or an engineer
- LocateApplies to the typical project
You are removing the old lawn and grading: that is digging. File a free Info-Excavation request before you start.[6, 7, 13]
- Contractor
A slope over 33% holds sod poorly. Have a professional assess stabilization (pinning, erosion blanket) or a wall.[1]
- Land surveyor
You are raising the ground near the property line: have the line confirmed and do not send more water toward the neighbour than before.[14]
- MunicipalityApplies to the typical project
A new lawn needs frequent watering. Check your city's drinking water bylaw before laying: days, hours and conditions for a new lawn.[2]
Rules in Quebec
- PermitAll of Quebec
Municipalities regulate watering with drinking water, and many set conditions for new lawns. Read your city's bylaw before laying sod; during restrictions, postpone the job.[2]
Checked October 10, 2026
- LicenceAll of Quebec
- LocateAll of Quebec
- NeighboursAll of Quebec
When raising the ground, do not make water flow worse for the lower neighbouring lot (Civil Code of Québec, art. 979).[14]
Checked October 10, 2026
- Consumer protectionAll of Quebec
If you hire a contractor, ask for a written contract stating the soil preparation, topsoil depth, sod type, any watering included, the total price and the warranty. A contract signed at your home after a sales visit can be cancelled within 10 days.[17]
Checked October 10, 2026
Words used
Sources
- 1.
Guide to Lot Drainage · City of Calgary
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- Lawns typically have 100 to 150 mm of topsoil; a layer of 300 mm or more holds rainwater better. (section 5.4, Resilient Landscaping)
- Calgary requires at least 4% over the first 1.2 m along a foundation, at least 2% in lawns, and no more than 33% without a retaining wall. (section 4.1, Slope Rules)
- 2.
Prix de la tourbe au Québec : combien coûte le gazon en rouleau en 2026? · Soumission Rénovation
Published July 6, 2026Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- Sod can be laid from spring to fall if the ground is not frozen and it can be watered; spring and early fall are easier, because sod dries out more slowly than in summer heat. (meilleure saison)
- The guide asks to remove stones, branches and debris, level the ground to avoid low spots, add topsoil where needed and give a slight slope that moves water away from the house. (préparation du sol)
- To estimate the number of standard rolls, the guide divides the area in square feet by 10 and adds 2 to 5% for cuts and irregular edges. (quantité)
- The guide asks to water right after laying, keep the soil moist without puddles for the first weeks, avoid walking on the lawn in the first days and check municipal watering rules, which many cities apply to new lawns. (arrosage)
- 3.
Experience curve effects · Wikipedia
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- Under Wright's law, work time falls by a fixed ratio each time experience doubles; published ratios run from 0.75 to 0.90, which gives the beginner and intermediate factors used here.
- 4.
FAQ · Pavés Concept
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- A roll is 2 ft by 5 ft (10 ft²) and a pallet holds 70 rolls (700 ft²).
- 5.
Matériaux en vrac · Pépinière Moraldo et fils
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- This supplier sells soil by the cubic yard, defined as a 4 ft by 8 ft trailer filled 10 in deep, and sod in 2 ft by 5 ft rolls.
- 6.
Travaux d'excavation · Régie du bâtiment du Québec
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- The RBQ asks contractors to file a free Info-Excavation request at least 4 business days before work.
- 7.
What to do before you dig (underground lines) · Hydro-Québec
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- Hydro-Québec asks you to check before any digging, including planting a tree or shrub, and notes the service is free.
- 8.
Fiche technique S3-05 : fondations de béton (détail du nivellement et du drain) · APCHQ
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- The APCHQ recommends ground that moves water away from the foundation over at least 2 m. (meilleure pratique, aménagement de la pente)
- 9.
Vrac · Jardins Zeillinger
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- According to this supplier, one cubic yard of soil covers about 300 ft² at 1 in deep.
- 10.
Produits (tableau des poids et volumes) · Nivelac
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- Nivelac gives a mass of about 1.3 t per m³ for soil; the engine uses it to convert the soil volume into tonnes and loads.
- 11.
BNQ 0605-100, Aménagement paysager à l'aide de végétaux · Bureau de normalisation du Québec
Consulted October 10, 2026Paid standard: cited, never reproducedSource page
- BNQ 0605-100 covers surface preparation, growing soil, sodding and seeding in Quebec (paid standard, cited, never reproduced).
- 12.
BNQ 0605-300, Produits de pépinières et de gazon · Bureau de normalisation du Québec
Consulted October 10, 2026Paid standard: cited, never reproducedSource page
- BNQ 0605-300 sets quality requirements for nursery products and sod (paid standard).
- 13.
Fiche technique 34, Protéger les services publics souterrains · APSAM (Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail, secteur affaires municipales)
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- APSAM treats any hole dug in the ground as digging.
- 14.
Écoulement des eaux (rapports de voisinage) · Gouvernement du Québec
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- The owner of higher land may not make the lower land's situation worse by changing how water flows.
- 15.
Guide pour déterminer le besoin d'une licence et la sous-catégorie pertinente : sous-catégorie 2.7, Entrepreneur en travaux d'emplacement · Régie du bâtiment du Québec
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- The RBQ lists landscaping on private land among work that needs no licence.
- 16.
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- The R-20 Act treats sodding as construction only in cases set by regulation. (art. 1 f))
- 17.
Request a contract (lawn and landscaping) · Office de la protection du consommateur
Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- The OPC recommends a written contract describing the services, the products used, any watering included, the total price, payment terms and the warranty; a contract made with an itinerant merchant can be cancelled within 10 days.
- 18.
Aménagement paysager : combien ça coûte ? · Soumission Rénovation
Published March 3, 2026Consulted October 10, 2026Source page
- For a 5,000 ft² lot, this price guide puts garden soil at 0.20 to 2 CAD per ft², seeding at 0.10 to 0.80 CAD and sod at 0.35 to 4 CAD.
Review and history
- Status
- Draft awaiting review
- Last reviewed
- October 10, 2026
- Next review due
- October 10, 2027
- Reviewers
- Rédaction paysagement (editor)
Change log
- October 10, 2026
First version, awaiting review by an installer.