How Much Does It Cost to Reseed a Lawn?
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For homeowners struggling with a dry, thinning, or patchy lawn, reseeding may be the best solution. The typical cost to reseed a lawn is $436 to $1,689, with $1,038 being the national average.
Highlights
- The typical cost range to reseed a lawn is $436 to $1,689, with homeowners across the country paying an average of $1,038.
- The main factors that affect the cost to reseed a lawn include the size of the lawn, the type and brand of seed, the cost of labor, and the home’s geographic location.
- There are several signs that determine it’s time to reseed a lawn, such as brown or yellow patches, puddles or pooling water, thinning grass, a thick thatch layer, insect damage, and turf disease.
- Reseeding a lawn can be a DIY project for a homeowner with the right equipment. However, because it can be a labor-intensive job, many people choose to hire a professional to reseed their lawn.
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Many homeowners dream of a plush, vibrant lawn surrounding their home. Unfortunately, lawns can suffer from disease, pooling water, insect damage, and unattractive brown or yellow patches. To tackle these common problems, it may be time for a homeowner to consider revamping the lawn. While other methods result in faster growth, some people prefer to avoid the higher cost of hydroseeding or installing sod in favor of reseeding, which is generally a less expensive option.
Reseeding, also called overseeding, is the process of spreading fresh grass seed over the existing lawn either to encourage thicker grass growth or to repair sections that need some attention. Reseeding jump-starts new grass growth and thickens the lawn.
How much does a new lawn cost using the reseeding method? According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, reseeding a lawn costs between $436 and $1,689, with a national average of $1,038. This guide will help homeowners discover the best time to reseed a lawn, the factors that impact the cost of a reseeding project, other budget considerations, and the best type of seed for their location. It will also help homeowners figure out how much seed is needed for a new lawn.
Factors in Calculating the Cost to Reseed a Lawn
Before embarking on a reseeding project to tackle a patchy or brown heat-stressed lawn, homeowners will want to note the factors that can lower or raise the cost. Some considerations that can influence lawn replacement cost include the size of the yard, the type and brand of seed used, the cost of labor, and the geographic location of the home.
Lawn Size
The number one factor influencing the price of reseeding is the size of the lawn. Of course, the larger the lawn, the higher the price. Before making a decision about whether or not to reseed, homeowners will want to get an accurate measurement of the lawn to determine what it will cost to do the job. Lawns can be measured in square feet or acres. First, homeowners will want to determine how much grass seed is needed per acre or square foot. The average cost to reseed a lawn ranges from $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot. Below are the average costs to reseed a lawn based on size.
| Lawn Size | Average Cost (Labor and Materials Included) |
| 1,000 square feet | $100 to $200 |
| 2,000 square feet | $200 to $400 |
| 3,000 square feet | $300 to $600 |
| 4,000 square feet | $400 to $800 |
| 5,000 square feet | $500 to $1,000 |
| ⅛ acre | $545 to $1,100 |
| ⅙ acre | $625 to $1,250 |
| ¼ acre | $875 to $1,600 |
| ⅓ acre | $1,200 to $2,100 |
| ½ acre | $1,750 to $3,200 |
| 1 acre | $3,000 to $5,880 |
| 2 acres | $6,000 to $11,760 |
| 5 acres | $15,000 to $17,640 |
Seed Type
The type of seed used also has a major impact on lawn renovation cost. Each type of grass seed has a different price tag, ranging from $3 per pound for fescue grass seed to $10 per pound for Bahia grass seed, and others in between. Clover, fescue, and Bermuda grass are some of the most cost-effective options, while Bahia seed is toward the high end of the cost range.
Seed Brand
It is no surprise that grass seed prices also depend on the brand. The brand a homeowner chooses can easily change the overall cost of a reseeding project. Seed is sold in bags of 10 to 50 pounds. To get a sense of cost, homeowners can review the general prices per pound based on brand. Of course, these prices can vary depending on the location where the seed is sold, time of year, and special sales. The table below shows the average cost per pound for popular grass seed brands.
| Seed Brand | Cost per Pound |
| Barenbrug | $2 to $14 |
| Gardens Alive! | $5 to $25 |
| GreenView | $3 to $12 |
| JB | $5 to $7 |
| Jonathan Green | $3 to $8 |
| Pennington | $2 to $11 |
| Scott’s | $3 to $12 |
| Vigoro | $2 to $5 |
Labor
Hiring a professional can ensure that the lawn is seeded and cared for properly. Common tasks include cutting and removing old grass, raking the soil, spreading the seed, mowing the existing grass, fertilizing and watering the lawn, and more as needed. Labor rates will affect the final price of a reseeding project. Landscapers typically charge between $35 and $80 per hour to reseed a lawn, not including the cost of supplies and materials. This comes out to about $250 and $350 to reseed the entire lawn. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that labor can be more expensive if large dead sections of grass need to be removed but cheaper if only a small area needs to be reseeded.
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Geographic Location
Not only does location matter in real estate, but it also affects grass seeding costs. The cost to purchase seed and to hire a professional to reseed a lawn varies widely depending on where someone lives in the country. For those living in a rural community, the cost of lawn-care services is usually lower than in urban areas. Local taxes and business fees can also influence the cost of lawn services. Climate plays a major role as well, since certain grasses thrive in specific weather conditions. For example, Bahia grass does best in the South but does not do well in the Northeast because it does not handle freezing conditions well. Overall, grasses that thrive in warm areas tend to be more expensive and require more maintenance. Homeowners will want to research the best type of grass for their region and to consult with a local landscaper for recommendations.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Reseeding a lawn successfully involves much more than purchasing the grass seed itself. Lawn installation costs and other considerations include steps like mowing, weeding, landscaping, testing the soil, and aerating. There are also opportunities to save money with lawn-care plans and reseeding over installing sod.
Seed vs. Sod
Before deciding whether overseeding a lawn is the right move, homeowners may want to consider the cost of seed versus sod. While laying sod is a faster way to create a full and lush lawn, it comes with a hefty price tag. Sod installation usually ranges from about $450 to $4,520, and results are immediate. On the other hand, it takes weeks or even months for a new lawn to grow from seed, and the entire process depends on critical factors like weather, water, and sunshine. For those who do not want to wait and deal with all the maintenance from seeding, sod installation could be the better option if the budget is available. Homeowners may want to keep this comparison in mind: For a 5,000-square-foot yard, seeding will cost between $550 and $1,500, whereas installing sod will run between $5,800 and $7,200.
Lawn-Care Plans
In order to save money, homeowners may want to look for vendors who include reseeding in the overall lawn-care cost for an annual plan. Many landscapers will provide packages or plans that include a regular schedule of lawn-maintenance services like fertilization, aeration, weed control, and mowing. Some might also offer a discount of about 20 percent off reseeding if it is part of the routine lawn-care maintenance plan. Homeowners will want to check with multiple companies to find the best rate available.
Aeration
Pairing overseeding with aeration is the best way for homeowners to ensure a healthy, flourishing lawn to show off to neighbors and guests. Aeration removes small cores (or “plugs”) of soil throughout the yard and displaces them on the surface. This allows more water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil so grass roots can spread out, grow stronger, and develop into a healthier lawn. This process also loosens the soil, which creates favorable conditions for the seed to germinate. Best left to the professionals, lawn aeration costs between $100 and $350, with an average of $140, for a 10,000-square-foot lawn.
Fertilization
A lawn cannot thrive without proper fertilization. After reseeding is complete, it is a good idea for the homeowner to fertilize the lawn with the correct fertilizer for the type of grass seed chosen. The cost to fertilize a lawn is about $225 on average, typically ranging from $80 to $400. The larger the lawn, the higher the price. Healthy lawns can get away with being fertilized once a year, but lawns with poor soil conditions or shallow roots may need lawn seed fertilizer much more frequently—as often as every 6 weeks. Homeowners will want to consult a landscaper for recommendations regarding the type and frequency of fertilization.
Soil Testing
Testing the soil identifies the type of soil in the yard and the best kind of grass seed and fertilizer for that location. Homeowners can cut down on costs by using a soil test kit, which runs about $10 to $40 and measures soil pH and nutrient levels. For a more thorough analysis, soil testing by a professional can be completed for a fee of $700 to $2,100, with an average cost of $1,350.
Yard Cleanup
There may also be some fees related to cleaning up the yard before reseeding can begin. It is recommended that homeowners remove any leaves, dead grass, or other debris that might prevent seeds from germinating. Professional leaf removal runs between $200 and $560, depending on the size of the yard. Another option is for a homeowner to bundle leaf removal with other cleanup services, such as garden-bed cleanup and mulching. Those services cost about $60 to $150 each.
Need to reseed the lawn?
Talk to a lawn and garden pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from lawn care services near you.
Weeding
If weeds appear in the lawn, it is important for homeowners to address them right away, since they can compete with grass for light, water, and nutrients. This is especially necessary before or soon after seeding begins. Weed control typically costs anywhere from $65 to $325 per treatment.
Mowing
Once the newly seeded lawn starts to grow, it will need to be mowed about every 1 to 2 weeks to keep it trimmed and healthy. While homeowners can mow their own lawn, some may choose to hire a lawn service. The average lawn-mowing cost ranges from $48 to $206 per visit, with $124 as the national average. The factors that affect the price of mowing include size and shape of the lawn, condition of the lawn, accessibility to the yard, length and type of grass, and mowing frequency.
Landscaping
Homeowners will want to keep in mind that there may also be some costs involved in landscaping preparation before seeding can take place. This may include trimming or removing trees or shrubs, removing old or dead grass, resloping or regrading the lawn, and preparing the soil. These services can vary in price, ranging from under $100 to a few thousand dollars each, depending on the extent of the preparation required. For example, removing trees ranges from $400 to $1,100 per tree, while resloping or grading a yard can cost between $1,500 and $2,600.
Cost to Reseed a Lawn by Type of Seed
Reseeding a lawn involves spreading professional grass seed over existing grass to fill out thin areas and to keep the grass healthy and vibrant. Choosing the best type of grass seed for a specific lawn depends on the local climate, sun and rain exposure, and other environmental factors. With so many different types of grass seed available at varying price points ranging from $1 to $50 per pound, it is important for homeowners to evaluate the best option for the property, since seed type will greatly impact the project budget. Centipede, St. Augustine, and Bahia seeds, for example, are at the higher end of the price range, while fescue and clover are the least expensive.