How Much Does It Cost To Install Grass Seed?

Table of Contents

1. Lawn Seeding Costs
2. Seeding Cost Factors
3. Types Of Seeds & Their Costs
4. Lawn Seeding Labor Costs
5. Other Grass Seeding Cost Factors
6. When To Seed Lawn
7. DIY Or Hire A Landscaper?
8. DIY: How To Seed A Lawn
9. Seeding Vs. Overseeding Costs
10. Seed Vs. Sod Costs
11. Find A Landscaper

Lawn Seeding Costs

Seeding a lawn comes down to three factors; type of seed, amount and labor. Since there are numerous types of seed and all different sized-yards across the U.S., it can be difficult coming up with an average grass seed price. Nevertheless, based on ImproveNet data, the average lawn seeding cost is $752, with most homeowners spending between $450 and $900 to seed their lawns. This price includes hiring a landscaper.

Small patching jobs, on the other hand, will of course fall on the lower end of the spectrum. Along the same lines, reseeding costs less than seeding a brand new yard. The average price to reseed a lawn is about $0.05/sf.

On the other hand, if you DIY, seeding a lawn will be less. The only costs are materials. Given that labor takes up a substantial amount of the total lawn seeding price, you could save hundreds of dollars in the process.

Seeding Cost Factors

All seed was not created equal. Likewise, you may have a 2,000sf yard while your neighbor may have a 1,000sf yard. These are just some of the factors that can increase or decrease the cost to seed your lawn:

1. Lawn Size
2. Type Of Seed
3. DIY or Hire A Pro

Lawn Size

Logically, more land costs more. Seeding a lawn, like any landscaping project, largely comes down to size. Seeds do not spread like concrete. You need seeds wherever you want grass. Additionally, 2 lbs. of Kentucky 31 seed will not cover as much ground as 2 lbs. of Kentucky Bluegrass seed. Therefore, determining your yard size is only part of the seeding lawn formula.

Type of Seed

Certain grasses and seeds grow better in certain areas of the country. Also, other seeds are designed for heavy foot traffic and certain maintenance schedules. We’ll get into all specifics below, but in the meantime, here is a list of the most commons types of grass seeds.

• Bahia
• Bermuda
• Buffalo
• Centipede
• Fescue
• Kentucky Bluegrass
• Kentucky 31
• Mixed Seeds
• Ryegrass
• Sun & Shade

DIY or Hire A Pro

Unlike a complicated electrical project, you can safely and efficiently seed a lawn on your own. It will take hours for the initial setup and days following to ensure a healthy yard, but if you do DIY, you could save up to $700 on your lawn seeding costs.

If you’re trying to install grass seeds on your own, please review DIY: How To See A Lawn.

Types Of Seeds & Their Costs

Mentioned above are 10 of the most popular seeds, but believe it or not, you can choose from over 100 different types of seeds. Nevertheless, after taking a closer look at the costs and what seeds are best in certain areas, you can narrow it down to a few possibilities.

Grass Seed Prices

In general, just like any bulk pricing, the more you buy, the less you pay per pound of seed.

Warm Weather Seeds

Cool Weather Seeds

Remember, selecting the wrong grass for the soil type and climate will result in patchy growth that may need to be reseeded again. To combat this potential issue, see which seed is ideal in your state.

Lawn Seeding Labor Costs

Seeding a lawn, more often than not, requires more than a shovel and seeds. Whether it’s testing your soil, determining the right kind of seed, deciding to overseed or just water, installing new seeds or reseeding takes time and energy. Unlike sod, it’s not a simple installation project.

As such, landscapers have a right to charge what they deem is fair. For small patch jobs, we have seen reseeding labor costs range from $50 to $250. If you’re seeding an entire lawn, the labor cost alone could exceed $600.

Fortunately, lawn seeding is doable on your own, as long as you have the time.

Other Grass Seeding Cost Factors

Besides all factors mentioned above, there are few other cost considerations you should review before you choose a seed. While all tasks and costs below won’t apply to every lawn seeding project, it’s better to have all the info before you begin.

Soil Testing Cost

Sadly, some lawns are not prepared to grow. No matter how much seed you apply or how much care you put into it, certain soils will not let you grow a vibrant green yard. Luckily, a soil test, which looks at the pH balance, will tell you if anything is wrong with your yard and how to fix it.

On the low end, a DIY pH analysis costs about $10 to $20. From there, adding on testing for other soil components, including nitrates and toxins increases costs by $50 per test.

Lawn Aeration Cost

Grass and soil make up a thick layer of land. However, your roots need water, sunlight and other nutrients to produce a lively yard. That’s where lawn aeration comes into play. To aerate a yard, which should occur twice in a year in high-traffic yards, a landscaper places holes throughout your yard’s soil.

If you hire a pro, the average lawn aeration cost is between $0.10/sf and $0.35/sf. As such, average costs range between about $75 and $200.

Fertilizer Cost

Fertilizer feeds your soil. Just like a human, soil needs energy and nutrients to function. Furthermore, fertilizer helps grass grow more quickly, grow stronger roots, sight off weeds and produce thicker blades.

Fertilizer alone costs between $0.08/sf and $0.44/sf. However, if you hire a professional landscaper, they will charge for labor. The average cost to apply fertilizer is $33 per hour.

Equipment Cost

If you plan to seed your lawn on your own, you’re going to need some supplies. It can’t all be done by hand. Therefore, you may have to buy or rent the following equipment:

• Hand Caster: $5 - $20
• Rakes: $10 - $100
• Shovel: $10 - $200
• Wheeled Caster: $25 - $600
• Rototiller: $50 - $800

Sprinklers

After you prepare your yard and plant your seeds, you have to water them. While you can set a rigorous watering schedule and go out there every two days, there is a simpler way.

If you want to maintain or even create a beautiful yard, you should install a sprinkler system. Whether you go on vacation, are tired from a long day or just forget, a sprinkler system ensures your yard gets the water it needs. Of course, it doesn’t come without a cost.

The average cost to install a sprinkler system is $2,300.

Maintenance Costs

Watering a lawn is basic lawn maintenance. As any homeowner knows, it takes more effort to maintain that stunning green yard you worked so hard to produce. Whether it’s mowing the yard or removing weeds, all require time and money. Therefore, you must consider the following lawn maintenance costs:

• Cost of Mowing the Lawn: $60 per hour
• Cost of Tree Trimming & Pruning: $170 - $333
• Cost of Weeding: $12 - $40 per hour
• Cost of Winterizing Your Lawn: $300 - $500

Delivery Costs

Seed bags can get heavy. If you’re installing seed on a very large yard or multiple acres, you may not be able to carry all bags to your car. Luckily, some seed manufacturers and gardening stores can deliver seed for you.

Seed delivery costs will depend on how much seed you purchased and where it’s going. Seed delivery costs start at $5/lb. and go up from there. Of course, if you buy enough seed, many offer free shipping.

When To Seed Lawn

Just like a watering schedule, there are opportune times to seed and plant a new yard or reseed an existing yard. The best time to seed a lawn depends on the type of seed you’re planting:

• Cool Weather Seeds: Late summer to early fall
• Warm Weather Seeds: Early spring into summer

For more guidance, please see the table on Great Day Improvements.

DIY Or Hire A Landscaper?

Previously stated, you can seed a lawn on your own. In fact, most homeowners roll up their sleeves and give it a try before calling in a contractor. While it does it take and effort to seed a lawn correctly, you could save up to $700 by doing it yourself.

Nevertheless, some of us just don’t have that green thumb. If you prefer to let the pros handle your next lawn seeding project, ImproveNet can help you connect with local landscapers.

DIY: How To Seed A Lawn

It’s time to get to work. If you’ve decided to forgo professional labor and get down to business, we have you covered. See how to seed a lawn with our step-by-step guide below:

1. Test Your Soil: There are DIY kits available or, as stated above, you can hire pros for $50 per test
2. Remove All Debris: You have to prepare you yard by removing all rocks, weeds and other debris. Then, go over your yard with a rototiller to prepare the dirt.
3. Add Sulfur: If your pH balance is low, you may need to add lime or sulfur. If so, do that now and rake it into the soil. Make sure your yard is level.
4. Add Seed: Use your hand or wheeled caster to apply seeds throughout the lawn.
5. Rake Again: Turn it around and gently push seeds into the ground.
6. Water Right Away: Only a little bit of water after you install seeds. Then, water three times per day until they grow in.
7. Ongoing Water: Water your lawn twice a week or install a sprinkler system.

Seeding Vs. Overseeding Costs

Quite often, parts of our yards go bad while others are just fine. Sadly, those ugly brown patches stick out like a sore thumb. Luckily, patching those ugly spots is not as expensive as reseeding. In fact, overseeding is the ideal solution for thin yards with a few brown spots.

Since overseeding typically involves less material, the overall cost is less. If you DIY, your overseeding project shouldn’t cost more than $100. If you hire a pro, expect to pay roughly $300 in labor, largely depending on how large those brown spots are.

Beware, overseeding is not a whole yard solution. If your soil has gone bad or your entire yard is one big brown spot, you’ll have to reseed.

Seed Vs. Sod Costs

While seeding is the natural way to plant grass, you do have a few alternatives. If you live in a warm climate and your yard sees little traffic, installing sod is a viable option.

Sod looks like squares of carpet, with the top covered in mature green grass and underneath, a combination of live roots and soil. The squares are placed directly on the ground and watered. Over time, the roots extend into the dirt below and become a natural addition to the landscape.

Despite these advantages, given that sod produces instant grass, it makes sense that it costs more. According to our sod installation cost guide, most homeowners pay between $1,100 and $1,900 to purchase, deliver and install sod.

Find A Landscaper

A vibrant, green yard is earned, not given. The first step to greener pastures is often seed. Now that you know all grass seed prices and their cost factors, you can find and install the right type of seed in your yard.

As always, if you want an expert green thumb to take a look, let us help you get in touch with local landscapers.