Conservation Analysis in California
Sod Removal Rebates
You Can Apply For
This program serves both commercial and residential customers. The
website will give you step-by-step instructions on how to proceed with the
removal of your grass or sod and replace it with drought-tolerant plants.
Further down you will read about the specific steps you must take to get a
big fat rebate check or even a small skinny rebate check.
On the website, you can fill out an application to see if you qualify for a SOD
rebate check. Depending on your eligibility, you could receive anywhere from
$1.00 to $4.00 per sq. ft. of sod to be removed. I also just heard today that
the minimum rebate check will be raised to $3 per sq ft minimum starting next
week. It's an opportunity not to be missed!
Things you will need for the Commercial Turf Replacement Project
- Remove your existing organic turf and replace it with drought-tolerant plants.
- Every turf replacement project you will put in 3 plants per 100 sq. ft. to put back.
- You will need a storm water retention feature.
- You will need to replace or modify overheard spray sprinklers.
- Install a rainwater capture or filtration system.
- Apply to reserve your funds.
- You will have 180 days to complete your project.
- Attach a copy of your water bill MUST BE IN YOUR NAME for you to receive the check
Will This Work For Me?
Let’s say you have a project that is about the size of a football field. An average football field is (360 x 160 sq ft) which equals 1.32 acres, including the end zones = 57,600 sq ft x $8.00 per sq ft, bringing the total cost to $460,800.
This would include large boulders, large truckloads of rock, dry stream beds, and up to 5,000 plants and the conversion of irrigation from overhead sprinkler to drip irrigation. A premium job with expert design fine quality plants etc. will take 30-60 days to finish for a total cost of $460,800.
What Would We Do?
We would charge approximately $8.00 per sq ft to
- Spray and remove existing SOD
- Design the landscape to include approximately 5,000 plants.
- Install about 1000 ft of dry stream bed with river rock 3"-8" in size.
- Place approximately 75-100 boulders throughout the project.
- Make creative mounds and swales with excess dirt and cover with
colorful rock, rip rap, and gravel. - Cover other areas in mulch 2"-4" deep.
- Install an automatic irrigation system by modifying your existing system,
reducing water consumption by 75%. - Produce a rebate check made out to you for $172,800
- Total cost of the job $460,800 - rebate check ($172,800) = $288,000
- Savings in water can be $750 per month which can be $9,000 per year
($750 x 1 year ( 12 months)).
