Graded first
Water runs away from the house, not toward it.
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Sod
Installation in
Cambridge, Ontario
Old lawn out, ground graded and prepared, fresh sod laid tight, and clear watering guidance so your new lawn takes root.
Sod Installation in Cambridge, Ontario
A new lawn that actually takes root.
Most of a good sod job happens before the first roll goes down.
Lay Landscaping installs sod for homes across Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Guelph. A proper job means removing the old lawn, grading so water drains away from the house, adding topsoil where it's thin, and laying fresh sod with tight seams. We also explain exactly how to water it under Region of Waterloo rules.
Real topsoil
Added where builder fill leaves roots nothing to grow into.
Watering plan
Clear steps that work with the Region's by-law.
What's included
- Removal of the old lawn, weeds and debris
- Grading and levelling so water drains away from the house
- Topsoil added and raked out where the existing soil is thin
- Fresh sod laid with staggered, tight seams and trimmed edges
- Rolling so the sod makes full contact with the soil
- A watering plan for the first few weeks
- Patch repairs with topsoil, top-dressing and overseeding
Why the prep matters
Sod looks finished the day it goes down, which is why rushed jobs are so common. The problems show up a few weeks later: low spots that hold water, seams that dry out and pull apart, and roots that never make it into the hard ground underneath.
So we clear the old lawn, fix the grade so water moves away from your foundation, and bring in topsoil where it's needed. In many newer subdivisions around Cambridge and Kitchener the builder's topsoil is only a thin layer over compacted fill, which makes this step even more important.
Full lawns and smaller repairs
Some clients need a whole front and back yard replaced. Others have a patch that grubs, skunks or a dog has torn up, or a strip along a new driveway or walkway. We do both, using topsoil, top-dressing and overseeding or fresh sod depending on the area.
Watering under the Region's by-law
From May 31 to September 30, the Region of Waterloo's water by-law limits lawn watering to one day a week, based on the last digit of your address. New sod needs far more than that while it roots, so the Region offers a new sod and seed permit: one per property each year, and a landscaping company can apply for it on your behalf. Ask us about it if you're booking a summer installation.
With the permit, you can water at any time for the first 24 hours, during the permitted morning and evening hours on days two to six, and on odd or even dates on days seven to fourteen. After that, it's back to the regular weekly schedule.
Local rules and timing
From May 31 to September 30, lawns in the Region of Waterloo may be watered one day a week, based on the last digit of your address.
A new sod permit allows extra watering for the first two weeks, and your landscaper can apply for it on your behalf.
Sod, soil and stones aren't accepted in Region of Waterloo curbside yard waste, so the old lawn is removed as part of the job.
Spring, once the ground has thawed and dried out, and late summer into early fall are the easiest times for sod to root.
Sources: Region of Waterloo: Water Conservation By-law and new sod permits · Region of Waterloo: Yard waste collection. Last updated November 2026.
Our Process
How a sod job comes together
From the first conversation to the final walkthrough, we keep every step clear and easy to follow.
Measure
We measure the area, check the grade and look at the existing soil.
Prepare
The old lawn comes out, the grade is corrected and topsoil goes down.
Lay
Fresh sod is laid tight, trimmed at the edges and rolled.
Water
You get a clear watering schedule for the first few weeks.
Questions
Questions about sod installation
Something else on your mind? Call (519) 240-8951 or send us a message.
More detail in our guide: Watering new sod under the Region's by-law.
How much does sod installation cost in Cambridge, Ontario?
The main factors are the size of the lawn, how much old turf and debris has to come out, how much grading and topsoil the area needs, and access for equipment. We give a free quote after measuring the space.
What is the best time to lay sod in Ontario?
Spring and early fall are ideal because temperatures are mild and sod roots quickly. Summer installations work too, but they need more water, which is where the Region's new sod permit helps.
How long before I can walk on or mow new sod?
Keep foot traffic to a minimum for the first two weeks while the roots knit into the soil. Most new lawns are ready for a first mow after two to three weeks, once the sod no longer lifts when you gently tug a corner.
Do I need a permit to water new sod in Waterloo Region?
Only if you want to water more than the by-law allows between May 31 and September 30. The Region's new sod and seed permit gives you extra watering for the first two weeks, and a landscaping company can apply for it on your behalf.
Can you repair just part of my lawn?
Yes. We repair damaged patches with topsoil, top-dressing and overseeding, or with fresh sod, depending on the size and cause of the damage.
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Spring & Fall Cleanup
Seasonal clearing, pruning, and preparation to reset your property.
Have a project in mind?
Let's plan your next outdoor project.
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll help you figure out the right next step for your property.
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