This calculator estimates the total cost of overseeding a lawn, including the amount of seed you’ll need, labor costs, time to complete and more. Just enter the details about the lawn, grass type, and application method to get an accurate estimate.
Overseeding Cost Calculator
What to Expect
This calculator will help you determine:
- Total seed required for your lawn size.
- Total cost of the seed based on the grass type.
- Estimated labor time and cost based on the application method.
- Total cost for overseeding your lawn.
Results
Total Seed Required: -- lbs
Total Seed Cost: --
Labor Cost: --
Total Cost for Overseeding: --
Estimated Time: -- minutes
How to use the overseeding cost calculator
Enter Lawn Size: Input the size of your lawn in square feet. This value helps determine the total amount of seed required for overseeding.
Select Grass Type or Enter Custom Price: Choose the type of grass from the dropdown list or enter your own custom price per pound of seed. The price per pound will be used to calculate the total seed cost.
Enter Seeding Rate: Input the seeding rate, which is typically provided on the seed bag and is measured in pounds per 1,000 square feet. If you’re unsure, refer to the standard rates below. Here are the standard seeding rates for each grass type (in pounds per 1,000 square feet):
- Bahiagrass: 5-10 lbs
- Bermudagrass: 1-2 lbs
- Buffalograss: 2-4 lbs
- Carpetgrass: 3-5 lbs
- Centipedegrass: 4-6 lbs
- Fine Fescue: 5-7 lbs
- Kentucky Bluegrass: 2-3 lbs
- Perennial Ryegrass: 6-9 lbs
- Tall Fescue: 8-10 lbs
- St. Augustinegrass: Typically sodded, but overseeding rate is 3-4 lbs if applicable.
- Zoysiagrass: 1-2 lbs
Select Application Method: Choose your method for applying the seed. Each method takes a different amount of time, which affects the labor cost:
- Walk-Behind: Takes an average of 10-15 minutes per 1,000 square feet. The calculator uses 12.5 minutes as an average estimate.
- Ride-On: Takes an average of 3-5 minutes per 1,000 square feet. The calculator uses 4 minutes as an average estimate.
- Hand-Seeding: Takes about 45 minutes per 1,000 square feet due to the manual labor involved.
Enter Labor Rate: Input your labor rate in dollars per hour. This value will be used to determine the total labor cost, based on the time estimated for overseeding.
Click “Calculate”: The calculator will use the following formulas to give you the final results:
- Total Seed Required: Calculated as
(Lawn Size / 1,000) * Seeding Rate. - Total Seed Cost: Calculated as
Total Seed Required * Price per Pound. - Estimated Time: Based on the selected
Application Method. - Labor Cost: Calculated as
(Estimated Time / 60) * Labor Rate. - Total Cost: The sum of
Seed CostandLabor Cost.
- Total Seed Required: Calculated as
This breakdown will help you understand how each input contributes to the final overseeding cost.
How much should you markup an overseeding job?
Lawn care professionals often use a markup of 30% to 50% on their costs to cover overhead, profit, and potential risks. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider when determining markup:
Direct Costs: These are the actual costs incurred for seed and labor used for the job. This is what the number the overseeding calculator provides. The markup is applied on top of these direct costs or “Total Cost for Overseeding”.
Markup Range:
- 30% Markup: Suitable for high-volume or competitive markets where keeping prices lower is essential for winning jobs. You would generally use this with large commercial properties that have a lot of space and the price would be eye popping to go above this.
- 50% Markup: More typical for residential overseeding projects, where personalized service and expertise can justify a higher rate. Based on my experience, you’ll be charging way too little if you go below 50% for small yards. I also suggest a minimum price to overseed a residential yard somewhere between $200 – $300. This helps ensure the smaller projects are profitable and worth your time.
When should you offer overseeding services?
If you’re in the lawn care game, you know that timing is everything when it comes to overseeding. Whether it’s cool-season or warm-season grass, here’s how I approach it:
Cool-Season Grasses
Cool-season grasses love cooler weather, so the best time to overseed is in the early fall. Why? Well, the soil’s still warm from summer, which helps the seeds germinate, and the cooler air temps mean less stress on those young seedlings. Plus, fall is great because weeds aren’t as aggressive, so the new grass has a better chance to thrive.
- Best Time: Late August to October, depending on where you are.
- Examples: Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass.
If you miss the fall window, you can overseed in the spring, but it’s a bit tougher. Weeds are more active then, and the summer heat can make it hard for new grass to really take off.
Warm-Season Grasses
For warm-season grasses, you want to overseed in late spring to early summer. These grasses thrive in warm weather, so the soil needs to be nice and warm for the seeds to germinate properly. Late spring gives the grass plenty of time to establish itself before the first frost hits.
- Best Time: April to June, depending on your local climate and soil temps.
- Examples: Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, Bahiagrass.
About the Author: Brett Lindenberg
