Weather, scavenging creatures, and even ordinary wear and strain can take their toll on a lawn that was once lush and green. And the only solution to this is seeding the lawn. If you are starting out a private business that provides this service then you might wonder about how much to charge for seeding a lawn.
It costs around $0.09 to $0.18 per square foot to seed a lawn. Besides, the average cost of reseeding a lawn is $988, with prices ranging from $413 to $1,563.
However, the expense varies greatly depending on tons of different factors. Thus, it is hard to estimate the exact cost. But in this article, I’ll try to provide you an overall picture of what it might cost so you can determine how much to charge your customer fairly.
Average Cost of Seeding A Lawn
The average cost of seeding a lawn is between $550 and $1,500. Generally, it might cost about $450-$800 to seed a 5,000-square-foot lawn with Buffalo grass.
However, the cost can be as low as $300 to as high as $4,000 based on the size, type, and other things. Seeding a new lawn might cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500, whereas re-seeding a lawn costs around $950.
Well, expect to pay roughly $4,000 to seed a 5,000-square-foot Bermuda grass lawn, including the cost of elimination of the existing lawn, power sowing, and aeration. Besides, seeding a lawn of the same size with Kentucky bluegrass that requires minimal upkeep will set you back around $900.
What Are the Factors That Drive the Cost of Seeding a Lawn?
Several factors drive the cost of seeding a lawn, such as the size of the lawn, type of grass, method, and so on. Moreover, the labor cost and grass seed’s brand are also two important factors to consider here.
So, let’s discuss some of the factors that drive the cost of seeding a lawn:
Size
Knowing the size of the lawn is a must to figure out how much the project will cost. To measure the area, you might use a few different methods. One of them is based on the acreage of the property. Well, the project might cost anywhere from $875 to $6,400, depending on its size.
- Cost of Seeding a Quarter-Acre Grass
Planting grass seed on a quarter-acre or 10,890 square feet of land costs around $875 to $1,600 on average. But the cost of planting grass seeds in a lawn of this size is determined by several factors, including whether the site is suitable for seed, the entire condition of the lawn, and the species of grass you want to plant.
- Cost of Seeding a Half-acre Grass
Generally, seeding a half-acre of grass, which equates to 21,780 sq. ft, costs approximately $1,750 to $3,200. However, the cost of seeding a lawn this size varies based on the current condition of the land. When no further assistance is necessary, the overall expenditures might be significantly lower.
Moreover, the layout of the lawn and the kind of seed are two other factors that influence the final cost.
- Cost of Seeding an Acre Grass
The average cost of seeding one acre (43,650 sq. ft) of grass is between $3,500 and $6,400. Well, the majority of seeds are offered in packs of 5,000 square feet. Although labor expenses might be substantially higher due to the larger space to cover, you might be able to save money on seeds by purchasing in bulk in some regions.
Grass Type
Grass seed comes in different varieties, each with its own set of qualities and price. It would be best to find out which seeds thrive in the soil and climatic conditions of the clients residence before starting to seed. Besides, remember to distinguish between warm-season and cold-season grass seeds when determining what kind of grass to grow.
Since the type of grass is one of the most important factors affecting the total expense, let’s discuss the cost of some of the most common grass types:
- Buffalo Grass Seed
Buffalo grass seed costs $1 to $7 per pound and $0.09 to $0.16 per square foot. This grass requires less upkeep and is as resilient as turf. Also, it can withstand cold temperatures and droughts better than most other warm-season grasses.
- Kentucky Bluegrass
The average cost of Kentucky bluegrass seed is around $0.35-$0.45 per square foot, and $3-$11 a pound. It’s one of the most popular cool-season grass among homeowners across America. However, it’s less tolerant to drought and heat because of its short roots.
- Tall Fescue Seed
Tall fescue grass seed costs between $0.35 and $0.65 per square foot and $3 and $14 each pound. It’s a grass of cool-season that has a wide range of tolerances, including heat, drought, cold, and shadow.
Moreover, tall fescue is a fantastic choice for the intermediate ground since it’s higher heat resistant than most other winter season grasses. It also withstands colder temperatures better than the grasses of warm seasons.
- Zoysia Grass Seed
You can purchase zoysia grass for $0.40-$0.60 per square foot, or $4-$13 per pound. The warm-season grass Zoysia can withstand both drought and heat. As a result, it does not necessitate a lot of water or upkeep. Furthermore, Zoysia can endure intense foot activity and survive in light shade.
- Centipede Grass Seed
The cost of Centipede grass is around $0.75-$0.85 per square foot and $8-$16 a pound. It’s a climate-specific warm-season grass. It grows primarily in the southeastern U.s. due to its stringent soil demands. Moreover, Centipede grass is a high-nutrient, heat-tolerant, and low-maintenance grass.
However, apart from the above-mentioned types, Fine fescue grass, Ryegrass, and St. Augustine Grass are some other most common types of grass seeds that most people use in their lawn.
Seeding Method
You can grow grass seeds using a variety of techniques. You have to choose one depending on several factors, including the lawn’s size, budget, and also the customers preference. The following are some of the most popular methods of seeding a lawn:
- Aeration and Overseeding
If the lawn is in a moderate state, overseeding and aerating will cost between $600 and $900 per acre. Well, the cost of lawn aeration is between $480 and $650 while overseeding grass costs between $200 and $400.
Seed is spread over the pre-existing lawn during the overseeding process. It’s mainly intended to cover bare areas and make the lawn appear larger, thicker, and lusher. Most people combine overseeding with aeration to get the perfect result.
- Hydroseeding
Hydroseeding is a good way to seed a lawn quickly. The method costs approximately $2,000-$4,000 each acre or $0.06-$0.20 per square foot on average.
It is distinct from conventional seeding in many ways, the first of which is that it is faster and easier. It is, however, usually more costly. Besides, a high-pressure machine is used to administer a mixture of seed, fertilizer, soil amendments, water, and mulch to the soil.
- Slice Seeding
The cost of slice seeding an acre is between $3,920 and $7,840. Since the method is expensive, people only use it on the dead, highly patchy portions of the lawn rather than the entire grass. As the method guarantees that the seeds get into contact with the ground, the seed germinates and plants properly, resulting in greater outcomes.
Brand
Scott’s is one of the most popular brands of grass seeds. However, people also appreciate Jonathan Green and Pennigton. The following table shows the cost of grass seeds by different brands:
| Brand Name | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Scott’s Turf Builder Bermuda Grass | 10 Pounds | 63 USD |
| Scott’s Turf Builder Fescue Mix | 20 Pounds | 52 USD |
| Pennington Kentucky Bluegrass | 7 Pounds | 38 USD |
| Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra | 25 Pounds | 100 USD |
| Jonathan Green Shady Nooks | 25 Pounds | 120 USD |
Labor Cost
The labor cost is also an essential factor to determine the total expenses of the project. It is ofcourse your cut for the whole project.
The majority of lawn service contractors charge hourly, and I recommend that you do that as well. Usually professionals charge around $30 each hour. Cutting old grass, sowing seed, scraping soil, trimming current grass, watering, and fertilizing the lawn are all regular tasks.
Well, preparation and sowing might take several hours to a few days, based on the customers’ particular requirements and the requirements of the lawn itself.
Every homeowner wants their lawn to appear in tip top shape. So, if you are planning on providing lawn seeding services then I’m here to assure you that it is a very lucrative business. Provided that you do a good job, charge your customers fairly, and focus on creating a reputation first and foremost, you’ll be able to do very profitable business. I hope by now you have a proper idea on how much to charge for seeding a lawn. Thanks for stopping by. And best of luck on your business endeavors.
