Written by

Sarah Noel

April 5, 2023

Edited by

Kristen Cramer

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Cost to reseed a lawn

The cost of seeding a lawn is $300 to $1,350 on average or $40 to $180 per 1,000 square feet. The cost to overseed or reseed a lawn is $0.04 to $0.18 per square foot. The cost to seed a new lawn is $0.25 to $0.70 per square foot.

• The cost to seed an acre of grass is $1,700 to $7,800.

• Seed and straw costs $0.07 to $0.15 per square foot.

• Grass seed prices are $1 to $10 per pound.

• The cost to grade and seed a lawn is $0.65 to $2.70 per square foot.

Cost to overseed or reseed a lawn by type

The cost to reseed or overseed a lawn is $300 to $1,350 on average for filling in a thinning yard. Prices increase for seeding new lawns due to the added expenses of covering seeds with mulch and preparing the soil.

Grass seeding cost per square foot

Grass seeding costs $0.04 to $0.18 per square foot on average, depending on the method and the existing lawn type. Grass overseeding on thinning lawns uses less seed and requires less prep work than seeding on bare ground. Extra fees apply depending on the lawn condition.

Cost to seed an acre of grass

The cost to seed an acre of grass is $1,700 to $7,800 on average. Lawn seeding by the acre typically uses larger equipment, which adds more fees than simple yard-seeding jobs.

Cost to seed a new lawn

The cost to seed a new lawn is $1,250 to $7,000 on average or $0.25 to $0.70 per square foot, depending on the preparation. These prices are for seeding on completely bare dirt that typically needs aeration or tilling along with fertilizer and mulch.

Prep work may include:

• Re-sloping / grading – Sloping a yard away from structures and evenly grading costs $1,000 to $5,000 on average.

• Lawn preparation – The cost of topsoil is $10 to $50 per cubic yard. Leaf removal costs $100 to $300 on average.

• Rototilling – Standard tilling costs $50 to $100 minimum, or $0.10 to $0.65 per square foot for deeper tilling in larger yards. Construction sites with highly compacted soil require tilling before seeding.

• Compost dressing – Applying a compost layer costs $20 to $50 per cubic yard for speeding up growth on new lawns without pre-existing grass.

Cost to grade and seed a lawn

The cost to grade and seed a lawn is $0.65 to $2.70 per square foot total. Re-grading a yard costs $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot for the earthwork alone. New-lawn installation grading solves erosion and drainage issues while creating a level seeding surface.

Lawn replacement

Lawn replacement costs $1 to $3 per square foot on average for old-turf removal, new soil spreading, fertilizing, and seeding. The cost to resod a yard is $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot for lawn removal, ground prep, and laying new sod. Resodding costs more but yields instant new grass.

Grass seed prices

Grass seed prices are $1 to $10 per pound on average, or up to $90 per pound for special varieties. One pound of seeds covers 100 to 500 square feet on average when planting a new lawn.

• Bermuda grass seed costs $1.50 to $12.00 per pound.

• The cost of Fescue seed is $1.50 to $10.00 per pound.

Grass seed cost by brand

Grass seed costs $2 to $25 per pound, depending on the brand. Most grass seeds come in bags of 10 to 50 lbs.

Cost to plant grass by method

The cost to plant grass is $0.04 to $0.22 per square foot, depending on the lawn size, condition, and seeding method.

Additional cost factors include:

• Lawn size and layout – Larger lawns need more grass seed. Contractors adjust seeding methods to fit complex lawn layouts.

• Seed type and method – Seed prices vary with the variety or brand. Some seeding methods have added material costs for straw or mulch cover.

• Labor and location – Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour, depending on the location.

• Overseeding vs. seeding a new lawn – Twice as much seed is necessary to regrow a new lawn after killing off old grass. Overseeding an existing lawn uses much less seed and is less labor-intensive.

• Removing old grass – Sod removal costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot. Weed control costs $0.01 to $0.02 per square foot for killing off old grass with herbicides.

• Removing thatch – Dethatching costs $75 to $300 on average to remove the dead-grass layer above the roots that stops new seeds from entering the soil.

• Loosening compacted soil – Lawn aeration costs $75 to $250 on average. Core aeration that pulls out small soil plugs is the most common type.

• Yard leveling – Grading costs $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot to fix drainage problems that affect grass growth.

• Additional site preparation – Nutrient-deficient soil sometimes requires new topsoil installation.

• Landscaping alterations – Tree stump removal costs $80 to $250 per stump.

• Packages and plans – Seeding discounts typically apply when choosing long-term lawn care packages.

• Core aeration with overseeding – TruGreen costs $200 to $300 per treatment. Lawn Doctor costs $350 to $900 per treatment. Both companies use power-seeding aerators.

• Equipment – For larger projects with bigger seeding machines, extra charges for equipment rentals may apply.

• Ground testing – A soil test costs $10 to $40 on average to measure soil pH and nutrient levels. Lawn analysis shows which treatments will help sprout new grass.

• Fertilization – The cost to fertilize a lawn is $65 to $200 per treatment on average to accelerate germination.

Aeration and overseeding

Aeration and overseeding costs $200 to $800 on average or $0.04 to $0.08 per square foot. Overseeding fills the holes left behind in the soil after aeration to sprout seeds faster. Aerating also relieves soil compaction and allows more water and nutrients to reach the roots.

Cost to slice seed a yard

Slice seeding a yard costs $350 to $1,800 on average or $0.07 to $0.18 per square foot. A slice seeder’s blades cut lines into the soil to give seeds direct soil contact while overseeding an existing lawn. Seeds planted this way are safer from removal by birds or wind.

Hydroseeding

Hydroseeding costs $350 to $2,200 on average or $0.07 to $0.22 per square foot. Hydroseeding applies a water spray of seed-and-mulch slurry to bare dirt. This method is faster and grows better than traditional seeding. Total costs depend on the lawn size, slope, and slurry ingredients.

Seed and straw cost

Seed and straw cost $0.07 to $0.15 per square foot or $350 to $1,500 on average for a lawn from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet. Prices depend on the prep work, seed type, and application method. Applying straw after seeding speeds up the germination.

• Straw should be 0.25” to 3.00” thick. Thin layers decompose and don’t require removal as the grass germinates.

• One bale of straw covers 1,000 square feet.

• Germination blankets embedded with straw or other biodegradable materials produce a similar benefit.

Grass seed alternatives & prices

Grass seed alternatives have widely variable costs per pound or per ounce depending on the seed variety and availability. Grass substitutes are ground-covering plants that require less mowing and maintenance, are pollinator-friendly, and need less water than grass.

Lawn seeding FAQs

When to reseed or overseed a lawn?

The best times to reseed or overseed a lawn are in the spring or fall. Seed cool-climate grasses when outside temperatures are 60°F to 75°F. For warm-climate grasses, the best time to seed is when temperatures are 75°F to 90°F.

How long does it take to reseed a lawn?

Reseeding a lawn takes 2 to 3 months on average to fully cover all the dead grass with new grass growth. Wait 4 to 8 weeks after germination before mowing and walking on the lawn. Some grass types take an entire growing season to establish strong roots.

How much grass seed do I need?

You need 2 to 9 pounds of grass seeds per 1,000 square feet for a new lawn or 1 to 5 pounds when overseeding an existing yard. Grass varieties like Fescue and Bahia require the highest seed concentration per square foot. Check the seed packaging for coverage guidelines.

How long does it take for grass seeds to germinate and grow?

Most grass seeds take 7 to 14 days to germinate and grow. The grass takes up to 30 days to reach 3” to 4” tall in warm climates, or up to 6 weeks in cool climates.

How often do you reseed an existing lawn?

• You should reseed an existing lawn when the turf has more weeds and bare spots than healthy grass. Remove old grass first for uniform growth of new grass.

• You should overseed an existing lawn annually in spring or fall if you notice the grass is thinning. Overseeding spreads new seeds without killing off existing grass.

What do you need to reseed a lawn?

To reseed a lawn, you need:

• Weed and grass killer (or black plastic tarps to solarize soil)

• Shovel or tiller

• Rake

• Core aerator (optional)

• Seed spreader

• Grass seed

• Lawn roller

• Starter fertilizer

• Garden hose or sprinkler system

Getting estimates from lawn seeding companies

Before hiring a grass seeding company near you, be sure to:

• Get 3 detailed estimates for comparison.

• Look for companies that have a license, insurance, and surety bonds.

• Check for fertilizer-application certifications and training in which treatments are best to support successful seeding.

• Read their online reviews on Google and HomeGuide.

• Ask to see a portfolio and a list of references.

• Choose a company with more than 5 years of experience.

• Get a detailed estimate and contract in writing prior to hiring.

• Don’t accept the lowest bid because it may indicate the lowest work quality.

• Give the final payment only when the job is complete.

Questions to ask a lawn-seeding service

• How long have you been seeding lawns?

• Is it better to kill off or remove old grass before seeding my lawn?

• When is the best time of year to seed?

• What type of seed do you recommend?

• Do you offer a germination warranty?

• What is the expected germination-success rate?

• Can I buy my own seeds for you to sow?

• Do you aerate prior to overseeding?

• Will you apply soil amendments with aeration and overseeding?

• Do you use a starter fertilizer?

• When can I mow again?

• What watering schedule should I follow to promote growth?

• When can I walk on the new grass?

• Do I need to do anything to prepare for the crew?

• Would any other lawn care services help solve my lawn’s problems?