How much does a new lawn cost to replace?
How much does a new lawn cost to replace?
$1 – $4 cost per square foot to redo a lawn
$7,500 – $22,500 average cost for new lawn (5K-10K SF)
$43,000 – $130,000 cost per acre to replace
New lawn replacement cost
Lawn replacement costs $1 to $3 per square foot on average for reseeding. A new 5,000- to 10,000-square-foot grass lawn renovation costs $7,500 to $22,500. Resodding a yard costs $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot. Lawn restoration costs $20 to $100 to repair a patch of 25 square feet.
| Lawn size | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| 500 square feet | $500 – $1,500 |
| 1,000 square feet | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 3,000 square feet | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| 5,000 square feet | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| 7,500 square feet | $7,500 – $22,500 |
| 10,000 square feet | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| 1/2 acre | $22,000 – $65,000 |
| 3/4 acre | $32,000 – $98,000 |
| 1 acre | $43,000 – $130,000 |
| 3 acres | $130,000 – $390,000 |
| 5 acres | $217,000 – $650,000 |
Average cost to replace a lawn
The following table shows the average cost to replace a lawn of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet.
| National average cost | $15,000 |
|---|---|
| Minimum cost | $5,000 |
| Maximum cost | $40,000 |
| Average range | $7,500 to $22,500 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
New lawn installation cost by method
A new lawn installation costs $1 to $4 per square foot on average, depending on the method. This process typically includes removing the old grass, prep work, and seeding or resodding the yard.
| Method | Cost per square foot* | Pros and cons |
|---|---|---|
| Reseeding or hydroseeding | $1.00 – $3.00 |
|
| Resodding | $1.50 – $4.00 |
|
| Artificial turf | $6.00 – $20.00 |
|
*All prices include removing the old lawn and prep work.
Reseed lawn cost
The cost to reseed a lawn is $1 to $3 per square foot for lawn removal, followed by spreading new topsoil, seeding or hydroseeding, and fertilizing.
Common seeding methods include:
The cost to overseed or reseed a lawn is $0.04 to $0.18 per square foot for filling in an existing lawn.
Hydroseeding costs $0.07 to $0.22 per square foot on bare, prepped dirt.
Seed and straw costs $0.07 to $0.15 per square foot on prepped soil.
Resodding a yard price
The cost to resod a yard is $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot, including old lawn removal, yard preparation, and new sod installation. Sod prices are $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot for the new grass alone, depending on the variety.
Artificial grass cost
Installing artificial turf costs $6 to $17 per square foot, depending on the type and brand. Artificial grass is threaded nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene material on a rubber backing. Contractors lay artificial grass on a layer of compacted gravel for drainage.
Cost factors to put grass in backyard
Cost factors to redo a lawn include:
Labor – Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour for installation labor. Working around obstacles like tree roots, on curved lawns, and on steep hills takes longer.
Yard prep – Leaf removal costs $100 to $300. Sod removal costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot.
Soil quality – Laboratory soil testing costs $10 to $40 to determine the best soil amendments to encourage healthy lawn growth.
Topsoil – Adding more topsoil costs $10 to $50 per cubic yard to help fill holes.
Land leveling – Regrading a yard costs $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot to fix any yard-drainage issues or reshape the landscaping.
Mulching – Installing mulch costs $35 to $100 per yard including delivery.
Landscaping alterations – Tree stump removal costs $80 to $250 per stump, depending on whether contractors are grinding or excavating it.
Packages and plans – Full-service lawn care costs $100 to $400 per month.
Discounts typically apply when choosing long-term lawn care packages.
Irrigation – Sprinkler system installation costs $1,800 to $5,200 on average.
Rototilling – Light tilling costs $50 to $100 minimum. Heavy duty tilling costs an additional $0.10 to $0.65 per square foot.
Lawn repair and restoration costs
Lawn renovation or repair costs depend on the issue, lawn size, and restoration method using either seeding or resodding.
| Repair type | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| 25 SF patch | $20 – $100 |
| 50 SF patch | $40 – $200 |
| 100 SF patch | $80 – $400 |
| 250 SF patch | $200 – $1,000 |
| Fix ruts in yard | $60 – $100 per hour |
| Lawn aeration | $75 – $250 |
| Lawn fertilization | $65 – $100 |
The cost to fertilize a lawn is $65 to $100 and to accelerate new grass growth.
Lawn aeration costs $75 to $250 to make space for new roots in compacted soil.
Cost to fix ruts in yard
The cost to fix ruts in a yard is $60 to $100 per hour on average. Repair methods include shoveling up and seeding tread marks, or resodding ruts for faster results. This process typically includes leveling, adding new soil, aerating, and fertilizing.
Ruts less than 4” deep are easy to DIY-fix by prying the sod back up with a shovel and filling in dirt under it.
Cost to patch grass
The cost to patch grass is $0.75 to $4.00 per square foot or $20 to $100 per 25-square-foot section, depending on the method. Patching grass typically involves removing the old thatch and grass, fertilizing, and new seeding or sod installation.
| Grass replacement method | Per square foot* | Per patch (25 square feet)* |
|---|---|---|
| Seeding | $0.75 – $2.70 | $20 – $65 |
| Sodding | $1.50 – $4.00 | $35 – $100 |
*Total price for all materials and labor.
Lawn replacement FAQs
When to replace a lawn
Replace a lawn in spring or fall to promote new grass growth.
Signs that it's time to replace a lawn include:
Lots of unhealthy or dead grass
Extensive weed growth
Many bare spots
Uncurable lawn diseases
Frequent rainwater pooling and drainage problems
Large amounts of moss overgrowth
Wrong grass type for the local climate
How often to water, fertilize, and mow a new lawn
Water a new lawn 1 to 2 times daily for the first week and every other day for another 2 weeks. Watering is most effective early in the morning. Start mowing and fertilizing a new lawn after 4 to 6 weeks.
Getting landscaper estimates to redo a lawn
Before hiring a lawn repair service near you, be sure to:
Compare three detailed bids from different contractors.
Select companies with licenses, insurance, and surety bonds.
Check for fertilizer-application certifications.
Read their Google and HomeGuide reviews.
Ask for a list of references.
Choose a company with more than 5 years of experience.
Get a detailed estimate and contract in writing before hiring.
Beware of the lowest bids that may indicate the lowest work quality.
Don’t pay in full until the job is complete.
Questions to ask
How long have you been doing lawn replacements?
Can I see photos of your past projects?
What type of new grass do you recommend for my lawn, and why?
How much of a price difference is there between seeding vs. installing new sod?
Does my land need grading also?
Will you test my soil first to see what amendments it needs?
What equipment do you use for removing the old grass?
When is the best time of year to replace a lawn in this region?
Which grass type produces less pollen if I have allergies?
Do you offer more drought-tolerant grass choices?
How often will I need to water the new grass, and when can I mow again?
What type of fertilizers will you use?
Is broadleaf weed control included in the lawn replacement?
Are all materials, labor, and cleanup fees in this estimate?
Could I qualify for local lawn-removal rebates if I get a lawn alternative?