Since 2012 · Arlington, VA
Sod installation in Arlington, VA, laid on ground that's ready to grow.
We remove the old turf, lightly grade, and work quality compost into the soil, then lay tall fescue sod with tight seams, from $1,099. A finished lawn the day we leave, with clear watering instructions so it roots in. Backed by more than 600 five-star reviews and fourteen years caring for Northern Virginia properties.
It starts underground
New sod is only as good as the soil under it.
Sod looks perfect the day it goes down, whatever is underneath. The trouble shows up a few weeks later: rolls laid over old grass and weeds that never root, seams that shrink apart, low spots that hold water, and hard clay the new roots can't get into.
Done right, most of the work happens before the first roll comes off the pallet. Old turf out, the ground smoothed, compost worked in, and only then the new lawn. That is how we install it.
What's included
What every sod install includes
A small patch or a whole front yard, the prep is the same.
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Old turf removed
We strip out the existing lawn, weeds and all, instead of laying new sod over the top of it. New roots need to reach soil, not a mat of old grass.
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Ground lightly graded
We smooth out dips and high spots so the new lawn sits level, mows evenly, and sheds water away rather than pooling in low spots. If the yard needs more than that, we can regrade it as part of the project.
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Quality compost worked in
We add quality compost to the soil before the sod goes down, giving new roots a looser, richer layer to grow into than bare clay.
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Tall fescue sod, laid tight
Tall fescue is the lawn grass best suited to Northern Virginia. We lay it with tight, staggered seams so the lawn knits together as one.
Why we don't guarantee sod
Sod is a living product, and for the first few weeks it depends almost entirely on water. That part happens after we leave, so we don't promise it will take. What we do promise is the installation: properly prepared ground, sod laid right, and clear watering instructions. If something about the work itself isn't right, tell us within 24 hours and we'll make it right.
Lawn just a little patchy? A fall aeration and overseeding with some organic compost should help, for less than new sod. Once new sod has rooted, keep it thick with fertilization and weed control
The local picture
What new sod is up against here
Northern Virginia's climate and soil are why we lay the grass we do, and prep the way we do:
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We are in the transition zone.
Northern Virginia is too hot in summer for many cool-season grasses and too cold in winter for most warm-season ones. Tall fescue handles both better than the rest, which is why it is the sod we lay.
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Clay soil is hard on new roots.
Arlington and Falls Church sit on heavy clay that compacts and drains slowly. Removing the old turf and working in compost gives the new sod a better start than laying it straight onto hard ground.
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Summer heat tests new sod.
New sod has almost no roots and dries out fast in July and August heat. Spring and fall installs are far easier on the lawn, and on your water bill.
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The first few weeks decide it.
Sod lives or dies on watering until it roots in. That part happens after we leave, which is why we explain exactly what it needs before we go.
Prep the ground, lay the right grass, water it in, and new sod becomes a lawn.
Pricing
A one-time project, quoted up front
Sod installation starts at $1,099, with the exact price based on the square footage and the prep the ground needs. Removing the old turf, light grading, and compost are part of every quote, not add-ons. Yards that need more extensive grading can be regraded as part of the same project, quoted separately.
Want the new lawn looked after? Sod itself isn't part of a plan, but every plan includes the weekly mowing and feeding that keep a new lawn thick once it has rooted.
| Plan | Starting at (monthly) | Mowing & feeding | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backsaver | $279/mo | Included | Core lawn care: mowing, fertilization & weed control, fall leaf cleanup |
| Timesaver | $379/mo | Included | Lawn + landscape (adds aeration & overseeding, landscape maintenance, mulch) |
| Lifesaver | $579/mo | Included | Whole-property (adds lawn disease program, gutter cleaning) |
Plans are priced monthly for lots up to 5,500 sq ft; larger lawns are quoted individually. All prices are starting points. See all pricing
The Potomac Promise
A standard you can hold us to
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We prep before we lay.
Old turf out, ground graded, compost in. The new lawn goes down on soil that is ready for it.
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You can reach a real person.
Questions don't disappear into a void.
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Straight answers on guarantees.
Sod is a living product and its first weeks depend on watering, so we don't guarantee that it takes. If something about the installation itself isn't right, tell us within 24 hours and we'll make it right.
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No long-term contracts.
Sod is a one-time project. If you'd like us to care for the new lawn afterwards, our plans are priced monthly with no long-term commitment.
Honest by default
Is our sod installation a good fit for your lawn?
We’re usually a strong fit if you:
- Want a finished lawn now instead of waiting a season for seed to fill in
- Want the old lawn removed and the soil improved before anything new goes down
- Can water the new sod every day for the first couple of weeks
We’re probably not the right fit if you:
- Need a guarantee that the sod takes regardless of watering
- Want sod rolled out over the existing lawn to skip the prep
Prep is what makes sod last, so it is part of every job. Light grading is always included; if your yard needs more extensive grading, we quote it as its own line so you can see exactly what it adds.
How it works
Getting started is straightforward
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Reach out
Call or use the form, and tell us roughly how much lawn you want replaced.
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We look at the area
Often from satellite imagery, with a site visit when the ground, slope, or access needs a closer look.
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You get a clear quote
Based on the square footage and the prep the ground needs.
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We prep and lay the sod
Old turf removed, ground lightly graded, compost worked in, then tall fescue sod laid tight, with watering instructions before we leave.
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Five-star reviews from Northern Virginia homeowners
Fourteen years of consistent, communicative property care, and one yard at a time, it’s earned the kind of trust that shows up in the reviews.
Potomac Lawn Professionals is a top notch, down to "earth" company! They helped us in our time of need. I did my research and had estimates to either SEED or SOD our large front yard. Our 60 yr old Septic drainage field had finally failed so we had to have a totally new design installed. This meant, from May to mid October, our front yard was all DIRT. I chose Potomac Lawn Professionals because I was not only looking for a fair price, I was considering customer service as well. Everyone I dealt with was so understanding and willing to help with our timely needs! Our NEW FRONT LAWN is gorgeous thanks to their experienced employees and staff!
Potomac Lawn Professionals have been doing a great job mowing my lawn weekly. I asked for a quote to redo my whole backyard not thinking I would actually go forward with it. But the plan they put together was good and the price was so reasonable I decided to go ahead with it. A week later my backyard looks great!
Where we work
Serving Arlington and nearby Northern Virginia.
Don’t see your neighborhood? Ask us →
Common questions
Sod installation in Arlington, VA: answered
How much does sod installation cost in Arlington, VA?
Sod installation starts at $1,099. The exact price depends on the square footage and how much prep the ground needs, such as removing the old lawn and grading. Tell us roughly how much area you want replaced and we will get you a clear quote.
What kind of sod do you install?
Tall fescue. It is the lawn grass best suited to Northern Virginia, where summers are hot and winters are cold, and it matches the tall fescue lawns most homes in the area already have.
Do you remove the old lawn first?
Yes. We remove the old turf, lightly grade the ground, and work quality compost into the soil before the new sod goes down. Laying sod over an existing lawn or weeds keeps the new roots from reaching the soil.
Is the sod guaranteed?
No. Sod is a living product and whether it takes depends mostly on watering in the first few weeks, which happens after we leave. We do stand behind the installation itself: if something about the work is not right, tell us within 24 hours and we will make it right.
How should I water new sod?
Keep it consistently moist, usually with daily watering, for the first couple of weeks while the roots grow into the soil. Once it has rooted, water less often but more deeply. We go over exactly what your lawn needs before we leave.
When can I mow new sod?
Once it has rooted, which usually takes a few weeks. Gently lift a corner: if it resists, the roots have taken hold. Keep heavy foot traffic off it until then.
What if my yard needs more than light grading?
Every install includes light grading to smooth out dips and high spots. If your yard needs more, such as reshaping a slope or raising low areas, we can take on more extensive grading as part of the project. We quote it as its own line, so you can see exactly what it adds.
Should I choose sod or seed?
It depends on how far gone the lawn is. If it is mostly bare, weedy, or worn out, sod may be a great option: you get a finished lawn the day it goes down. If it is just a little patchy, a fall aeration and overseeding with some organic compost should bring it back for less. Seed does best sown in early fall here and needs a season to fill in.
When is the best time to lay sod?
Spring and fall. The cooler temperatures help new sod root in with far less water. Summer installs are possible but much harder on the lawn.
Do you install sod for new construction or septic repairs?
Yes. Whatever left the lawn torn up, we remove the old turf, grade lightly, and work compost into the soil before laying the new sod.
What areas do you serve for sod installation?
Arlington is the primary service area. We also serve nearby Northern Virginia communities including Falls Church, McLean, Tysons, Vienna, Dunn Loring, Idylwood, Pimmit Hills, Seven Corners, Lake Barcroft, and Bailey's Crossroads.
Ready when you are.
Tell us about your property and we’ll get you a clear quote, usually within one business day. Spring and fall are the best times to lay sod, so it’s worth getting on the schedule early.
