How Much Does It Cost to Seed and Reseed a Lawn? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $436 - $1,763
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $1,082 to seed a lawn, or $436 and $1,763, depending on lawn size, seed type, and labor.
The average cost to seed grass is $1,082, but prices vary depending on your yard’s size and the lawn’s condition. While the average price range for this project is $436 to $1,763, you might spend as low as $120 or as high as $4,000. The average cost is $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot to reseed a lawn.
If your lawn looks worn down after seasons of playing catch, running through the sprinklers, or romps by rough-and-tumble pups, it may be time to reseed your lawn. Let’s take a look at the costs of seeding grass and the associated costs of reseeding and overseeding your yard.
- Average
- $1,082
- Low end
- $120
- high end
- $4,000
Grass Seed Costs
Reseeding a yard involves spreading new grass seed over existing grass to fill out thin areas and keep your grass healthy and green. To understand which grass is best for your lawn, consult a local lawn-seeding pro.
| Grass Type | Cost Per Pound | Cost for 50-pound Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Bahia | $10 | $170–$200 |
| Clover | $4 | $80–$200 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $6 | $300–$400 |
| Fescue | $3 | $100–$250 |
| Bermuda | $6 | $230–$380 |
Grass Seed by Weight
The amount of grass seed needed depends on geographic location, type of grass seed, and whether you’re overseeding or reseeding an existing yard. You’ll need twice as much grass seed to plant a new yard than if you are overseeding or reseeding an existing one.
| Grass Seed | Pounds Needed Per 1,000 Square Feet – New Yard | Pounds Needed Per 1,000 Square Feet – Existing Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Bahia | 10 pounds | 5 pounds |
| Clover | 2 pounds | 1 pound |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 4 pounds | 2 pounds |
| Fescue | 10 pounds | 5 pounds |
| Bermuda | 2 pounds | 1 pound |
Bahia
Bahia grass seed costs an average of $10 per pound. This type of warm-season grass grows best in hot climates and tolerates drier conditions, making it a good fit for lawns in the Southern United States.
Clover
Clover grows best in a temperate climate. It costs an average of $4 per pound, making clover an affordable lawn reseeding option. Clover also requires minimal maintenance, which means that it’s a good choice for shady areas and problem spots.
“As a bonus: It’s a nice option for attracting pollinators,” says Tara Dudley, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Plant Life Designs.
Just keep in mind that clover is not a grass, and may not be allowed in some areas where it’s considered a weed that you should kill.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass seed costs an average of $6 per pound. This type of seed also does best in a temperate climate. It’s a good fit for areas with high foot traffic, so consider this option if you have kids or dogs that like to play outside. But, Dudley advises, it will go dormant in the summer without regular watering.
Fescue
At $3 per pound, fescue is one of the most affordable grass seed options. This type of grass seed does best in temperate areas. Fescue is known for its resilience and durability. It’s a good pick if you live in a cooler climate and want an attractive lawn at an affordable price. “Fescue blends are versatile and tend to do better in shadier conditions,” says Dudley.
Bermuda
Bermuda grass seed costs an average of $6 per pound. This type of grass grows best in warm climates and is a good fit for the Southern United States. It is resistant to heat, drought, and salt.
Seed, Reseed, and Overseed a Lawn Cost Factors
Several factors influence the cost of seeding, reseeding, or overseeding your yard, including the type of seed and labor costs.
Lawn Size
If you’re dealing with a brown or patchy lawn, reseeding it can help you grow the sparkling, emerald-green lawn of your dreams. It costs an average of $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot to reseed or overseed a lawn, depending on your lawn size.
| Lawn Size | Average Cost, Labor Plus Materials |
|---|---|
| 500 square feet | $50–$100 |
| 1,000 square feet | $100 – $200 |
| 2,000 square feet | $200 – $400 |
| 3,000 square feet | $300 – $600 |
| 4,000 square feet | $400 – $800 |
| 5,000 square feet | $500 – $1,000 |
| 1 acre | $3,000–$5,900 |
| 2 acres | $6,000–$11,800 |
| 5 acres | $15,000–$17,700 |
Lawn Quality
You’ll pay more to seed or reseed or overseed your yard if it’s in bad shape. If there are large dead patches of grass and weeds, you may need to clear these areas before you reseed or even consider installing new sod. When seeding your lawn, it may also be necessary to fertilize with a starter fertilizer and aerate it to give the new seed optimal growing conditions.
New vs. Grass Removal
The cost to seed a new lawn is usually around $400 to $1,500—about the same price as reseeding or overseeding. Most homeowners use reseeding as a way to fill in patchy areas of their existing lawns. Though it’s less common, you may want to seed a brand-new lawn. This process is typically done with new-construction homes or where a large patch of lawn was removed during a renovation.
Here are the main factors that can impact your cost to seed a new lawn:
Grass seed type
Lawn size
Local labor rates
Landscape prep
Soil quality
Seeding a New Lawn vs. Laying Sod
It takes weeks to grow a lush lawn from seeds, so many homeowners prefer to lay sod. On average, the cost of sod installation is usually between $1,100 and $3,000, so it can be quite a bit more expensive than seeding. However, installing sod provides immediate results, whereas growing grass seed requires weeks of wait time before seeing new sprouts.
| Seeding New Lawn | Laying Sod |
|---|---|
| $450–$1,800 | $1,100–$3,000 |
| Can appear patchy until it matures | Instant visible results |
| More DIY-friendly | Limited weeds |
| Longer time to maturation | Flexibility with installation timing |
| Wider seed varieties available | Restricted grass choices |
Seeding Method
The seeding method you choose can also play an important role in the overall project cost.
Lawn aeration costs range from $0.10 to $0.35 per square foot, in which small holes are made in the lawn to allow air, seeds, and water to penetrate the soil.
Hydroseeding costs range from $0.08 to $0.20 per square foot and is often quicker and easier than traditional seeding. This spray-on grass seed combines fertilizer, seed, mulch, soil amendments, and water and uses a high-pressure hose to spray it on the soil or existing lawn.
Power seeding costs range from $0.09 to $0.18 per square foot and is typically only recommended for areas of a lawn that are very patchy or bare. In this method, a machine cuts a slit into the ground and manually places the seed in the hole, ensuring the seed will grow with better results than other methods.
Labor
Hiring a professional lawn seeding service will cost between $250 and $350 to seed or reseed or overseed a lawn. Labor can be more expensive if you need to remove large dead sections of your lawn. On the other hand, labor is usually less expensive if you only need to reseed a small area.
Location
Prices for reseeding a lawn can vary depending on where you live in the country. For example, it costs an average of only $660 to reseed a lawn in Detroit, while it costs an average of $2,020 in Los Angeles.
Common Lawn Seeding Add-On Costs
While you’re budgeting for the cost to seed or reseed or overseed the yard, there are a few additional services that can boost your lawn health. Here are some additional costs to consider for this project.
| Additional Service | Average Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aeration | $100–$400 | Loosens compacted soil; stimulates root system |
| Soil Tests | $700–$2,100 | Adds nutrients to promote lawn health |
| Leaf Removal | $200–$560 | Determine soil type and nutrient balance |
| Weed Treatment | $110–$325 | Clearing leaves from yard |
| Mowing | $50–$210 | Cutting grass regularly |
Lawn aeration: $0.10 to $0.35 per square foot
Fertilization: $80–$400
Soil test: $700–$2,100
Leaf removal: $200–$560
Weed treatment: $110–$325
Mowing: $50–$210
Cost to Seed a Lawn Yourself
If you’re trying to cut costs, you may want to consider reseeding or overseeding yourself. You could save between $250 and $350 in labor if you take a DIY approach for this project and plant grass seed yourself.
You’ll still need to pay for the grass seed, which can range between $100 and $400 for a 50-pound bag. If you don’t already own one, you might also want to consider renting a push aerator, which typically costs around $20 per hour. Aerating will loosen the soil to help the fertilizer and grass seeds penetrate better to create stronger roots.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
While you can save a few dollars by seeding or reseeding or overseeding your lawn yourself, it may not always be the best option. This task takes a lot of time and energy, and if you don’t do a thorough job your lawn could suffer.
A professional lawn seeding company near you will know exactly what type of seed is best for your lawn and how much to use for optimal growth. Plus, a professional lawn care company will have all the correct equipment on-hand to complete the job, says Dudley.
How to Know When To Reseed and Overseed Your Lawn
Adding grass seed to a new bare yard makes sense, but when should you be reseeding and overseeding an existing lawn? To keep your lawn looking lush and green, it’s best to reseed or overseed every year, either in the late summer or early fall. However, there are some tale-tell signs that you need to be overseeding and reseeding, including:
Grass that looks thin or sparse
Areas with no grass
Brown or yellow discolorations in the yard
Slow-growing grass
5 Ways to Save Money Seeding, Reseeding, and Overseeding Your Lawn
Since it’s best to reseed and overseed your lawn annually, saving money on this project without sacrificing a beautiful yard is an important piece of the puzzle.
Choose the most cost-effective seed that will grow in your area instead of a more expensive option.
Reseed in stages, starting with the front yard first and working toward the back yard at a later time.
DIY some of the project, such as mowing, weeding, and general preparation.
Consider a package plan that bundles services together for a potential overall discount.
Reseed as soon as you find a trouble spot to cut down on the overall work needed.
Packages and Plans
You can save money on reseeding services if it’s wrapped into a general lawn care plan. Many local lawn care services have packages or plans that include a regular schedule of lawn maintenance tasks like fertilization, aeration, weed control, and mowing. The price depends on the company, so shop around for the right local service for you.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hydroseeding costs about $500 to $4,000. This method allows you to spray a pressurized mix of grass seed, fertilizer, water, and mulch on your lawn, which results in a thick, lush lawn in less time than traditional seeding methods.
Whether you’re putting down fresh seed or reseeding, there are a few things to keep in mind when seeding your lawn. Be sure to choose the correct seed for your climate, seed at the right time of year, and water two to three times a day for the first week. Generally, Dudley recommends seeding in spring and fall as it is usually cooler and rainier.
The best time to reseed your lawn depends on the type of grass. In general, reseed warm-season grasses during the spring or summer. Reseed cool-season grasses in the early spring or early fall.