The site work division of ICFHome.ca · Building since 1979 · Insured to $2,000,000 · 705-533-1633
Sod and Topsoil2026Tiny, Tay, Midland, Wasaga, Collingwood
Sod and Topsoil Cost in Ontario (2026)
Installed sod in Ontario runs roughly $1.70-$3.50 per square foot, screened topsoil about $33-$50 per cubic yard delivered, and triple mix about $55-$70 per yard (rough range, 2026). On the sandy lots around Georgian Bay, plan on at least 150 mm (6 in) of topsoil under the sod, which is the bigger number on most jobs. Below are the prices, the depth math, a worked example and what fails.
Updated October 2026 · Georgian Bay Siteworks, the site work division of ICFHome.ca
Insured to $2,000,000Site work division of ICFHome.caBuilding since 1979250+ projects in Simcoe County
Rough Prices (2026)
| Item | Rough range (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sod, installed | $1.70-$3.50 per sq ft | Residential range from HomeStars and the Techo-Bloc 2026 cost report |
| Sod, material only | $0.75-$2.00 per sq ft | Basic sod, per HomeStars. Small orders by the roll cost more per foot. |
| Soil prep (strip, level, amend) | $0.50-$1.00 per sq ft | HomeStars. More where we are importing and grading a lot of soil. |
| Screened topsoil, delivered | $33-$50 per cubic yard | Techo-Bloc, Ontario delivered range |
| Triple mix | $55-$70 per cubic yard | Techo-Bloc, material only. For gardens, not usually the whole lawn. |
For a reality check, one Ontario garden centre, Marshall’s in Kingston, lists topsoil at $48 a yard and triple mix at $72 a yard, before delivery. Delivery is usually a separate charge per load, so ask, and order full loads where you can.
Builder truth: sod is the part everyone looks at. Topsoil is the part that decides whether the lawn is still green in August.
How Deep Does the Topsoil Need to Be?
Somewhere between 100 and 150 mm (4 to 6 in) is the usual answer, and on sand we lean hard to the deep end. Wasaga Beach’s lot grading checklist requires a minimum of 150 mm of topsoil on all disturbed areas before sod. Tiny and Wasaga sit mostly on beach sand that drains like a colander, so the topsoil is the only thing holding water for the roots.
Here is the volume per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Use our topsoil and fill calculator for your own numbers.
| Depth | Cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft | Screened topsoil at $33-$50/yd |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mm (4 in) | About 12.3 | About $410-$620 |
| 150 mm (6 in) | About 18.5 | About $610-$930 |
| 200 mm (8 in) | About 24.7 | About $820-$1,240 |
Topsoil settles after it is spread and rolled, so order a little over the math. It is much cheaper than coming back for a second load.
A Worked Example: 5,000 Square Feet of New Lawn
Assumptions: a typical new-build lot in Tiny, sand subsoil, rough grade already done, 5,000 sq ft of lawn, 150 mm of screened topsoil, basic sod, decent truck access. Your lot will be different.
| Line | Quantity | Rough range (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil, delivered | About 93 cubic yards | $3,100-$4,650 |
| Spread, fine grade, roll | 5,000 sq ft | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Sod, installed | 5,000 sq ft | $8,500-$17,500 |
| Rough total | About $14,000-$27,000 |
The total drops if the sod price already includes final raking, and it climbs on steep lots, lots with no access for a loader, or lots where the rough grade still has to be fixed first.
What Fails, and Why
- Sod on an inch of topsoil over sand. It looks great for three weeks. Then the first dry spell hits, the roots have nowhere to go, and it browns out.
- Laying sod on the rough grade. Every rut and bump shows through. Fine grading and rolling first is what makes a lawn look flat.
- Not watering deep enough. New sod needs water down into the soil under it, not just on the grass. A landscape detail sheet filed in Barrie calls for watering into the top 100 mm of topsoil.
- Sod in the heat of July with no plan for water. On a cottage lot with no one there midweek, that sod is on its own.
- Driving on it. Delivery trucks and the fence crew leave tire tracks that stay for years.
Two Things We Say Up Front
Sod is not warranted
Once it is down, whether it lives depends on water and weather we do not control. We lay it on proper topsoil and a proper grade, and the watering is yours. Damage from bad weather and natural disasters is not covered either.
We do not hydroseed
We do topsoil, grading and sod. If you would rather seed, we can grade and spread the topsoil ready for seeding and you or a seeding company can take it from there.
Watch half-load season
Topsoil comes on heavy trucks. In Tiny, reduced loads generally run March 1 to April 30, which limits full loads on township roads. Check our half-load season tool before booking spring deliveries.
Rules of Thumb Before You Order
- Measure the lawn area, not the lot. Driveway, house, beds and the septic mantle all come off.
- On sand, budget for 150 mm of topsoil. Less is false economy.
- Use screened topsoil for the lawn and keep triple mix for garden beds.
- Have the soil delivered as close to the work as possible, in full loads.
- Lay sod the same day it arrives. Rolled sod heats up and yellows on the pallet.
- Price it per square foot installed, and ask what the topsoil depth is in writing. Use our sod calculator to check the area.
Want the Lawn Done Once?
Send us the lot address and a rough sketch. We will measure, check the grade and give you a written price for topsoil, grading and sod.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does sod cost per square foot installed in Ontario?
Roughly $1.70-$3.50 per square foot installed in 2026. Soil prep, topsoil and access move the final number.
How much does a yard of topsoil cost in Ontario?
Screened topsoil runs roughly $33-$50 per cubic yard delivered, and triple mix about $55-$70 per yard. Delivery is often a separate charge per load.
How much topsoil do I need under sod?
Plan on 100-150 mm (4-6 in), and at least 150 mm on sandy lots. Wasaga Beach requires a minimum of 150 mm of topsoil on disturbed areas before sod.
How many yards of topsoil for 1,000 square feet?
About 12.3 cubic yards at 100 mm (4 in) and about 18.5 cubic yards at 150 mm (6 in). Order a little extra for settling.
Should I use triple mix or topsoil for a lawn?
Screened topsoil for the lawn, triple mix for garden beds. Triple mix costs noticeably more per yard and is not needed under the whole lawn.
Is sod guaranteed?
Not by us. Sod is not warranted because its survival depends on watering and weather after it is laid, and weather damage is not covered.
Do you offer hydroseeding?
No, we do not hydroseed. We can grade and spread topsoil ready for seed if you would rather seed than sod.
