A skid of sod is simply another name for a pallet used by many suppliers. If you've used the Sod Pallet Calculator already you know roughly how far one skid goes. This guide explains what that term means its typical coverage & how many to order.
Both terms trace back to the same flat wooden base sod farms use for delivery. Whether your supplier calls it a pallet or a skid the sod & quantity are identical. If you haven't sized your lawn yet start with the Sod Calculator before reading further.
Knowing this terminology upfront saves confusion when you're calling around for quotes from different farms. One supplier's "skid" price should match another's "pallet" price for the same coverage & grass type. The sections below cover exact coverage sizing & how many you'll likely need.
Key Takeaways
A Skid Is the Same as a Pallet
A skid is the same thing as a pallet just named differently by region. Typical coverage runs 400 to 500 square feet with 450 square feet quoted most often. Always confirm the exact number with your supplier rather than assuming the average applies.
Calculate Your Required Skids
Working out skids needed is simple division: lawn square footage divided by coverage per skid. Round that result up since suppliers rarely sell partial skids for residential landscaping orders. Factor in installation cost separately since the skid price alone won't cover delivery or labour.
What Is a Skid of Sod?
A skid refers to the stacked bundle of sod pieces delivered on one pallet base. Regional suppliers use "skid" & "pallet" almost interchangeably so don't expect any real difference in product. Some landscapers even use "skid" specifically for smaller commercial deliveries though the term isn't standardised nationwide.
The word likely comes from the wooden "skid" base a term older than modern pallets. Over time "skid" & "pallet" merged in everyday use across the landscaping & sod trade. Today both words appear on invoices from the same farm without any consistent pattern.
How Much Does a Skid Cover?
A standard skid covers roughly 400 to 500 square feet the same range as a pallet. Most suppliers quote 450 square feet as their typical figure for one full skid delivered. That number shifts slightly depending on piece size so confirm the exact figure with your grower.
Individual sod pieces on a skid typically measure around 16 by 24 inches though sizes vary by farm. A skid built from those pieces usually holds somewhere near 165 individual rolls or slabs. Farms cutting smaller pieces fit more per skid but total square footage stays roughly consistent.
Weather & moisture at cutting time can also shift these numbers by a small margin either way. Freshly cut well watered sod handles & stacks differently than sod that's dried out slightly first. None of this changes coverage dramatically but it explains small differences between suppliers & orders.
How Many Skids Do You Need?
Use the Sod Pallet Calculator to divide your lawn's square footage by your supplier's skid coverage. For a 1,800 square foot lawn at 450 square feet per skid that's exactly four skids. Always round up rather than down since suppliers rarely sell a partial skid on its own.
For a larger project say 5,400 square feet the same division applies using your confirmed coverage figure. Dividing by 450 gives exactly twelve skids needed for full coverage of that lawn area. Larger orders benefit from confirming coverage directly with your farm rather than relying on averages alone.
Skid vs Pallet vs Roll
Skid & pallet mean the same delivered unit but a roll means just one piece. Don't confuse an order of "skids" with an order of individual rolls since quantities differ hugely. For exact piece counts per skid our guide to pieces of sod on a pallet breaks it down.
If you need exact roll or slab dimensions instead we've documented those separately by common size. See our sod roll dimensions guide for measurements by supplier & grass type. Knowing all three terms helps you compare quotes accurately when calling around to different sod farms.
Budgeting for a Skid Order
Skid pricing covers the sod itself but delivery & installation usually cost extra on top. Our Sod Installation Cost Calculator breaks down price per square foot alongside labor & delivery fees. Getting a full cost picture before ordering skids helps you avoid surprises once the invoice arrives.
DIY installation cuts labor cost but adds real time & physical effort on your part instead. Hiring a crew costs more upfront but usually gets sod laid & watered correctly within one day. Either route benefits from knowing your exact skid count before requesting quotes from local installers.
Finishing Up Around Your New Sod
Once your skids are delivered & laid bare soil along beds & edges often remains. Fence lines tree rings & garden borders rarely get covered by the sod rolls themselves. Most homeowners handle those remaining spots separately once the main lawn area is finished.
Mulching those borders keeps weeds down & protects moisture right next to your fresh sod. The mulch calculator turns those bed measurements into bags or cubic yards needed for the job. It's a quick last step once your sod skids have been ordered & delivered.
Conclusion
A skid or pallet is simply the delivered unit your supplier sends to your home. Coverage typically runs 400 to 500 square feet so measure your lawn before ordering. From there the Sod Pallet Calculator & cost tools above can guide the rest of your project.
Confirming your supplier's exact skid coverage stays the most reliable step in the whole process. Averages are useful for early planning but invoices & delivery tickets carry the real numbers. That one confirmation keeps your order accurate from planning through delivery & installation.
FAQs
Is a Skid of Sod the Same as a Pallet?
Yes "skid" & "pallet" describe the exact same delivered unit of stacked sod pieces sold together. Some regions favor one term over the other but the product itself never changes. Ask your supplier which word they use so quotes & orders line up correctly.
How Much Does a Skid of Sod Cost?
Skid price depends heavily on grass type region & whether delivery is included or not. Use the Sod Installation Cost Calculator above to see per square foot pricing alongside labor & delivery estimates. Getting quotes from two or three local suppliers is the most reliable way to compare.
How Many Skids of Sod Do I Need for a Half Acre?
A half acre is roughly 21,780 square feet based on the standard acre conversion. Divided by 450 square feet per skid that works out to about forty nine skids. Confirm your supplier's exact coverage figure before ordering that many skids for a large project.
