How much does hydroseeding cost?
How much does hydroseeding cost?
$0.07 – $0.22 cost per square foot
$2,000 – $6,000 cost per acre
$500 – $1,600 average cost (5K – 10K SF lawn)
Hydroseeding cost
Hydroseeding costs $0.07 to $0.22 per square foot or $500 to $1,600 for an average 5K – 10K SF lawn. Hydroseeding costs $2,000 to $6,000 per acre. Hydroseeding prices are $35 to $90 per 20-lb. bag for grass seeds plus $15 to $50 per 50-lb. bag of hydro-mulch.
| Lawn size | Price range |
|---|---|
| 500 square feet | $35 – $110 |
| 1,000 square feet | $70 – $220 |
| 3,000 square feet | $200 – $650 |
| 5,000 square feet | $350 – $1,100 |
| 7,500 square feet | $500 – $1,600 |
| 10,000 square feet | $700 – $2,200 |
| 1/2 acre | $1,500 – $4,800 |
| 1 acre | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| 3 acres | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| 5 acres | $10,000 – $30,000 |
*Minimum service fees are $300 to $500.
Hydroseeding cost calculator
The cost of hydroseeding depends on the following factors:
Lawn size – The amount of hydroseed slurry and labor time increase with the lawn size.
Yard slope – A sloped lawn may require two applications to prevent erosion and runoff. Hydroseeding costs double or triple on steep slopes.
Grading – The cost to regrade a yard is $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot.
Labor – Local labor fees vary according to the location.
Slurry materials – Adding mulch, extra seeds, dye, bonding agents, fertilizers, and additives to the slurry increases costs but improves results.
Seed type – Seed prices depend on the grass color, grow rate, and texture.
Soil quality – Laboratory testing of soil costs $10 to $50 to determine the best soil amendments.
Topsoil – The cost of topsoil is $10 to $50 per cubic yard on average. A new layer of 4” to 6” of topsoil is sometimes necessary to get a hydroseeding warranty.
Site preparation on existing lawns – Leaf removal costs $100 to $300. Dethatching costs $75 to $300.
Rototilling – Standard tilling costs $50 to $100 minimum. Deeper tilling in large areas costs an additional $0.10 to $0.65 per square foot. Tilling is important before seeding on highly compacted soil at construction sites.
Lawn replacement – Lawn removal costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot before hydroseeding over an old lawn with dead grass roots.
Water source – If no water source is close to the site, then extra fees apply for the company to bring water in trailers for the sprayer.
Hydroseeding cost per square foot
Hydroseeding cost $0.07 to $0.22 per square foot on average, depending on the lawn size, hydro-mulch type, the number of slurry additives, and the location. These prices don’t include ground preparation.
| Lawn size (square feet) | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 500 | $35 – $110 |
| 1,000 | $70 – $220 |
| 3,000 | $200 – $650 |
| 5,000 | $350 – $1,100 |
| 10,000 | $700 – $2,200 |
| 20,000 | $1,400 – $4,400 |
| 30,000 | $2,100 – $6,600 |
| 40,000 | $2,800 – $8,800 |
*Minimum service fees of $300 to $500 apply.
Hydroseeding cost per acre
Hydroseeding costs $2,000 to $6,000 per acre, depending on the slurry-mix ingredients and the hydro-seeder size. The cost to hydroseed half an acre is $1,500 to $4,800 on average. Hydroseeding prices typically decrease for multi-acre lots.
| Lawn size | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 1/4 acre | $750 – $2,400 |
| 1/2 acre | $1,500 – $4,800 |
| 3/4 acre | $2,300 – $7,200 |
| 1 acre | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| 3 acres | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| 5 acres | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| 10 acres | $20,000 – $60,000 |
| 25 acres | $50,000 – $150,000 |
*Hydroseeding installation prices only, excluding lawn-prep work.
Hydroseeding hourly rates
Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour for hydroseeding areas less than 500 square feet. Minimum service fees are $300 to $500, depending on the location.
Hydroseeding prices vs. sod vs. grass seeding
Hydroseeding costs are less than sod installation costs of $1 to $2 per square foot. Alternatively, the cost to seed a lawn is $0.04 to $0.18 per square foot for seeding by hand or with a basic seed spreader.
| Factor | Hydroseeding | Sod installation | Grass seeding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per square foot | $0.07 – $0.22 | $1 – $2 | $0.04 – $0.18 |
| Requirements | Hydro-seeder machine, slurry seed mix, water | Sod delivery, heavy labor | Seed |
| When to install | Early fall | Spring or summer | Spring or fall |
| Install complexity | Medium | High | Low |
| When yard is usable | 3 months | 10 days | 3 months |
DIY hydroseeding and equipment cost
Grass seed for DIY hydroseeding costs $35 to $90 per 20-lb. bag on average. Any grass seed works in a hydroseeding sprayer. A yard size of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet needs 15 to 60 lbs. of seed, depending on if it’s for overseeding or sowing a new lawn.
| Brand | Price per 20-lb. bag |
|---|---|
| Pennington | $35 – $70 |
| Nature’s Seed | $45 – $200 |
| Scotts | $50 – $90 |
*Material prices only.
Hydro-seeder rental cost
Hydro-seeder rental costs $130 to $350 per day on average, depending on the type and size. Most hydro-seeders are 300- to 600-gallon tanks mounted on trailers that cover up to 8,000 square feet. Renting a hydro-seeder requires safety training from the company first.
| Rental period | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Daily | $130 – $350 |
| Weekly | $400 – $1,600 |
Hydro-mulch cost by type
Hydro-mulch costs $15 to $50 per 50-lb. bag depending on the type. A 5,000- to 10,000-square-foot lawn requires 3 to 7 bags depending on the slurry thickness needed. Contractors add hydro-mulch to their hydroseeding slurry, or they spray hydro-mulch on top of new seeds to boost growth.
| Mulch type | Price per 50-lb. bag | Pros & cons |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | $15 – $25 |
|
| Wood | $20 – $50 |
|
| Blend (wood and paper) | $30 – $40 |
|
While some use “hydroseeding” and “hydro-mulching” interchangeably, pure hydro-mulch doesn’t contain seeds.
DIY Hydroseeding kit
DIY hydroseeding kits cost $20 to $30 each for 300 to 400 square feet of coverage. Refills cost $20 to $40 each to cover up to 700 square feet. Kits include seed mix, dye, and a garden-hose attachment for spraying. These small kits grow grass in bare spots on lawns.
Hydro-mulching & hydroseeding FAQs
What is hydroseeding?
Hydroseeding is a lawn-seeding method using a high-pressure spray of seed-and-mulch slurry on at least 4 inches of soil. The slurry contains grass seeds with various germination accelerators, fertilizers, and soil amendments. Any type of grass seed works for hydroseeding.
Is hydroseeding worth the cost?
Hydroseeding is worth the cost for the following reasons:
A hydroseeded lawn grows better with more coverage than broadcast seeding.
The slurry adheres to the ground to reduce hill erosion as it grows.
Hydroseed is 80% to 95% cheaper than sod installation.
Lawns created by hydroseed have healthier root structures.
Hydroseeding suits most land conditions including steep slopes.
Is hydroseeding safe?
Hydroseeding is safe for children and pets since the ingredients are non-toxic. The green dye in hydroseed is environmentally safe and makes the slurry more visible for application purposes.
How long does it take for hydroseed to grow?
Hydroseed sprouts in 7 to 14 days depending on the type of grass seed and weather conditions. The lawn is ready to mow in 3 to 6 weeks when the grass grows about 3 to 4 inches tall. Minimize foot traffic for an additional 4 weeks.
When is the best time to hydroseed?
The best time to hydroseed is in early fall when the temperature stays 65° F to 85° F for at least 6 weeks. Spring and summer are also acceptable hydroseeding times, but more watering is necessary at these times.
Getting estimates from hydroseeding companies
Before hiring a hydroseeding company near you, be sure to:
Get three detailed quotes for comparison.
Make sure the company has a business license, insurance, and a surety bond.
Ask for proof of a hydroseeding contractor license if you live in California.
Check for certifications in fertilizer application.
Check online reviews on Google and HomeGuide.
Choose companies that have been in business for 5+ years.
Ask for quotes with the slurry-ingredient quantities for an exact comparison.
Request copies of the warranty and contract terms.
Don’t automatically accept the lowest bid as it may signal low-quality work.
Wait until the project is complete to make the final payment.
Questions to ask
How long have you been hydroseeding?
Do you give free on-site estimates? If not, how much is the consultation fee?
Can you give me a references list?
Do you offer a warranty?
When is the best time of year to hydroseed in this area?
Do I need any site preparations?
Will I need dethatching or core aerating before hydroseeding?
Can you test the soil first to make sure the new seeds will grow well here?
Will you require fresh topsoil for hydroseeding?
Does my land need grading for better drainage?
What is the best seed type for my lawn?
How much seed do you use?
What type of mulch do you use?
Should I make space for the crew beforehand?
What’s the time frame for this job?
How often should I water my new hydroseed?
Do local water restrictions require a permit to adequately water the seeds?
How often should I fertilize?
When can I use weed killer again?
What’s your policy on treating bare spots in the lawn after hydroseeding?