Insider Tips About the Cost to Reseed a Lawn

Getting ready to reseed your lawn? Lawn reseeding costs vary from region to region, the size of the yard, and especially, the type of seeding method used, as well as the types of grass seed selected.

Generally, the price for a lawn reseeding project ranges from as low as a few hundred dollars for a small area to several thousand dollars for larger lawns. Let’s consider the following important factors that impact the cost to reseed a lawn.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Lawn Reseeding

1. Lawn Size

It should stand to reason that the larger the lawn area, the more money you should expect to pay to seed it. And this is true across other variables like region, seed type, and seeding methods.

The low end of the national average cost to reseed per square foot is about $0.10, while the high end is about $0.20 per square foot. 

2. Seed Species

The old adage, you get what you pay for, applies to the average costs for types of grass seeds, too. Though species like Ryegrasses and Bermuda grasses tend to be less expensive, and provide decent results across a range of climates and soil types.

If you’re looking for a specific aesthetic for your lawn project, or need to seed a higher maintenance area, whether that be a drier yard, or a difficult soil composition, you may need to choose a seed type that better suits the particular conditions of the project, which may be more expensive. 

Zoysia Grass and Centipede Grass are among the more expensive seed varieties, but can provide a nicer-looking, more consistent look and color depending on the area and climate. The best idea is to thoroughly assess the reseeding location, so you know everything from the soil pH to the average sun exposure, and use that guidance to match your seed types appropriately. 

3. Lawn Preparation Needs

The prep work that needs to be done to your lawn area will also impact how much you can expect to pay for your seeding project. For example, do you need to rototill or otherwise de-compact or aerate the soil? If you’re seeding in an area that’s been under construction or been neglected for a long time, this may be necessary for any type of seed to establish.

Similarly, it’s a good idea to find out if the soil is missing any key nutrients so you can provide the best foundation for your selected grass seed type. A soil test can help you determine what type of fertilizer or soil amendments are needed to boost soil fertility and fast-track seed germination. That way you don’t end up wasting money attempting to reseed in infertile soil.

4. Reseeding Method

There are two basic seeding methods you can use to get a new lawn that don’t involve laying new sod: hand seeding and hydroseeding.

Each method has its own unique advantages and can be suited to a specific area based on its attributes.

Hand or Broadcast Seeding

Hand seeding is a seeding method that disperses seeds either by hand, or via a rotary broadcast seeding device. Because hand seeding can be done by a homeowner or professional fairly simply, it’s one of the most affordable seeding methods.

However, the cost of hand seeding still depends on the type of seeds being used, the size of the area being seeded, and any soil amendments that may be needed. On average, hand seeding costs between $0.10 and $0.20 per square foot. It’s generally good for reseeding small areas.

Hydroseeding

Hydroseeding is a seeding method that combines water, seeds, fertilizers, mulch, and sometimes other additives, like tackifiers to hold seeds in place, based on the specifications of the project area. This ‘slurry’ mixture is then sprayed from a hose to cover the desired area. It can be much faster to apply than hand seeding.

Hydroseeding is typically more expensive than hand seeding because it requires specialized hydroseeding equipment. Hydroseeding is also much more efficient and generally provides better results than hand seeding, as it all but guarantees uniform coverage of seed that establishes well because it includes the nutrients seeds need to germinate quickly and establish. You can learn more about whether hydroseeding is worth the cost with our breakdown. Often for larger areas, the efficiency of hydroseeding offsets the equipment costs.

5. Labor and Equipment

The price range for lawn reseeding costs also depends on the amount of labor and equipment needed to both prepare the soil and apply the seed. For methods like hand seeding, the equipment and materials can be relatively inexpensive, and can be done by one or two people, depending on the size of the area. 

For hydroseeding projects, it is generally recommended to prepare the soil first for the very best results. Depending on the size and condition of the area, this can cost anywhere between a few cents per square foot, to upwards of $6 per square foot. Factors like soil compaction and composition, as well as lawn size, and time frame all influence how much it can cost to properly prepare soil. 

The Cost to Reseed a Lawn by Square Foot

The hydroseeding process itself can cost, on average, between $0.08 cents and $0.20 cents per square foot, while hand seeding ranges between $0.10 and $0.20 cents. These estimates are all dependent on regional variables like supply, availability, labor costs, and equipment. Prices also tend to be higher in more urban areas where demand is generally higher. 

Time is also a consideration as hand seeding, even with a team of people, will take much longer than hydroseeding. When hand seeding, you must walk over the area manually spreading seeds, and then apply any fertilizers and water the seeds need to establish. Hydroseeding, by comparison, covers large areas with seeds and fertilizers simultaneously, and can often be done in as little as 3 hours for an acre or more. Depending on the size and scope of your seeding project, for example if you’re looking to seed something large, hydroseeding may well be the more efficient and effective solution. The table below breaks down the average cost to reseed a lawn by hand seeding and hydroseeding.

Reduce Lawn Reseeding Costs by Renting a Hydroseeder

For many people looking to reseed their lawn, the largest cost associated with hydroseeding as opposed to hand seeding is the cost of the hydroseeder itself. This can be offset by renting a hydroseeder for a specific job rather than investing in a machine yourself. Especially if hydroseeding is something that’s infrequently done, or done only once or twice per year, you may find that renting the equipment is more cost effective than owning one. 

How to Tell If Your Lawn Needs Reseeding

A good rule of thumb to determine whether or not it’s time to refresh your yard with reseeding is to look around for brown patches, thinning areas, or if it simply looks a little worn out. Additionally, if you haven’t done any seeding or fertilizing within the last 4-5 years, it’s probably time to consider reseeding.  

Conclusion

While the costs to reseed a lawn vary by region, seed type, labor and equipment involved —  no matter your budget or resources, there’s an effective way to reseed your lawn. Learn more in our Resources Center or contact us directly so we can answer your lawn seeding questions.

Lawn Reseeding FAQs