How Much Does it Cost to Seed a Lawn?

Seeding isn’t just for new lawns. If your lawn is patchy, thin or overrun with weeds, reseeding is a great option to give it new life. However, seeding is a surprisingly difficult and time consuming process. Hiring a professional is the best way to guarantee good results.

About Lawn Seeding

For existing lawns, most lawn care companies offer two types of seeding services: renovation and replacement. Renovation involves planting grass seed (often several different types) to fill in patchy or thin areas; replacement involves starting a new lawn and is typically advised when more than half of the lawn is bare or covered with weeds.

Replacement is a very complex process. It requires using a sod cutter to remove the old lawn, turning the soil with a rotary tiller, adding sand and compost, measuring and correcting pH, and fertilizing. You can tackle replacement as a DIY project, but it requires a significant time commitment and, for most people, renting equipment.

Fall is the best time to seed, particularly in cold climates. Spring is not ideal because weeds flourish then, too, and constant rains can wash away the seeds. Summer is not ideal either because it’s tough the keep the ground moist enough to support growth.

Cost to Seed a Lawn

The cost of professional seeding depends on the size of your lawn, the type of seed, the company you choose and local labor rates.

• Generally, you can expect to pay about $90-$180 per 1,000 square feet to seed a new lawn or reseeding (renovating) an existing one.
• According to HomeAdvisor, seeding starts at about $150, but the average price ranges from $573-$853.
• For very large yards, the cost usually tops $1,000.

DIY seeding does cost less, but it’s not as cheap as you might think. For an average-sized yard, budget about $50-$100 for seed and another $100-$200 for equipment rentals. Of course, that doesn’t factor in time and aggravation.

Find the Best Lawn Seeding Pros Who Will Compete for Your Business