Hydroseeding costs $12,000–$18,500 per acre in 2026 (about $0.28–$0.42 per square foot) for seed, fiber mulch and tackifier, or $14,000–$21,250 per acre with bonded fiber matrix for slopes. Installing an irrigation system (Rain Bird or equivalent) costs $1.85–$2.90 per square foot of irrigated area; commercial sites with an acre or more of open turf on rotors run $1.35–$1.85. Jobs start at $3,750.
- Typical prices
- Cost by property size
- What’s included
- Questions
- For architects and contractors
- Get a firm quote
Hydroseeding cost per acre and irrigation cost per square foot
Estimates for budgeting only, not an offer, bid or quote. Permits, government fees and testing are extra unless listed; your signed written proposal sets the price.
| Item | Price | Unit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroseeding (seed, fiber mulch, tackifier) | $12,000 – $18,500 | per acre | Seed mix, fiber mulch and tackifier sprayed on prepared soil |
| Hydroseeding with bonded fiber matrix (slopes) | $14,000 – $21,250 | per acre | Seed plus bonded fiber matrix for slope erosion control |
| Irrigation system installed (Rain Bird or equivalent) | $1.85 – $2.90 | per square foot of irrigated area | Layout, trenching, PVC mains and laterals, valves, spray/rotor heads or drip, smart controller, testing; backfill and cleanup |
| Irrigation, commercial and large open turf on rotors (1 acre or more) | $1.35 – $1.85 | per square foot of irrigated area | Rotor zones on open turf: layout, trenching, PVC mains and laterals, valves, rotors, smart controller, testing |
Budget ranges for 2026, not a quote. Prices include what the Includes column lists. Not included: permits and other government fees, and testing, engineering and utility disconnects by others. Minimum charge: $3,750 per job.
Permit or notice: Usually none, or covered by the project’s building permit. Permit fees are not included; we pull or coordinate the permits our work needs, billed at cost plus administrative time.
Hydroseeding and irrigation cost by property size
| Property | Area | Price: hydroseeding | Price: with bonded fiber matrix | Price: irrigation, mixed landscape | Price: irrigation, open turf on rotors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ acre | 10,890 SF | $3,750 – $4,625 | $3,750 – $5,325 | $20,150 – $31,600 | — |
| ½ acre | 21,780 SF | $6,000 – $9,250 | $7,000 – $10,625 | $40,300 – $63,175 | — |
| 1 acre | 43,560 SF | $12,000 – $18,500 | $14,000 – $21,250 | $80,600 – $126,325 | $58,825 – $80,600 |
| 2 acres | 87,120 SF | $24,000 – $37,000 | $28,000 – $42,500 | $161,175 – $252,650 | $117,625 – $161,175 |
What’s in the price
Hydroseeding is a site-suited seed mix, fiber mulch, tackifier and fertilizer sprayed on prepared soil. Irrigation covers layout, trenching, PVC mains and laterals, valves, spray, rotor or drip zones, a smart controller, testing and backfill.
Included
- A seed mix suited to the site and season
- Fiber mulch and tackifier, with bonded fiber matrix on slopes where listed
- Irrigation layout, pipe, valves, heads or drip, smart controller and testing
- Trench backfill and cleanup
Not included
- Soil preparation and fine grading before seeding
- Water at the site for mixing (a metered hydrant or equal connection)
- Watering until the grass is established
- Backflow preventer, new water service or meter (most systems need a backflow preventer; it’s priced per site in the proposal)
- Landscape plans and permits under your city’s water-efficient landscape ordinance
We price this work as part of our removal and site projects; specialty trades are performed by appropriately licensed subcontractors where the law requires.
How we measure
Hydroseeding is priced per acre seeded. Irrigation is priced per square foot of area actually irrigated, not the whole lot.
Spray. Small lawns and planting beds; heads throw up to about 15 feet.
Rotor. Large open turf; heads throw about 20 to 50 feet, so fewer heads and less trenching per square foot.
Drip. Shrubs and trees; emitters put water at the roots. Included in the irrigation price.
Hydroseeding and irrigation questions
How much does it cost to hydroseed an acre?
$12,000–$18,500 per acre in 2026, or $14,000–$21,250 per acre with bonded fiber matrix for slopes. Two acres run $24,000–$37,000. Areas under about a quarter acre are usually billed at the $3,750 minimum.
How much does it cost to install a sprinkler system on 1 acre?
$80,600–$126,325 for an acre of mixed landscape at $1.85–$2.90 per square foot of irrigated area, or $58,825–$80,600 for an acre of open turf on rotors at $1.35–$1.85.
How much does it cost to install drip irrigation?
Drip zones are included in the $1.85–$2.90 per square foot irrigation price. Add-on emitters on an existing system run $7.75–$9.50 each; emitter-only jobs are billed at the $3,750 minimum.
For architects, engineers and contractors
Scope: Site restoration after removal
Hydroseeding and irrigation are common alternates after demolition and grading; per-acre and per-square-foot rates can be used as budget unit prices, and contract unit prices are set in the proposal or bid. Cost terms glossary · Printable unit-price sheet
What to send for a firm quote
- Area to seed or irrigate, in square feet or acres
- Slope steepness and access for the hydroseed truck
- Water source, meter size and pressure, if known
- Landscape or irrigation plan, if one exists
Request a project review or call (949) 446-0000
More cost guides
Demolition cost · Pool, wall and fence removal cost · Concrete cutting and coring cost · Concrete and asphalt removal cost · Excavation and grading cost · Land clearing cost · Asbestos removal cost · Lead paint removal cost · Tanks and hazardous materials cost · Hauling and disposal cost · Testing cost · Drywall and patch-back cost · Waterproofing cost · Fire-damaged demolition cost · Interior demolition cost · Commercial demolition cost · Demolition permit and AQMD fees · Popcorn ceiling removal cost · Floor tile and mastic removal cost · All 2026 prices · Cost terms glossary · Our site preparation services
Disclaimer: a guide, not a quote.
These prices are a guide for budgeting, not a quote. They are our 2026 price ranges for common projects in Southern California. Your written price depends on the site, access, quantities, the materials found, the schedule and the documents you provide, and it can come in above or below these ranges; the written proposal governs.
Permits, inspections and other government fees vary from city to city and county to county and are not included. Neither are plan preparation, engineering, utility planning, agency submittals and coordination, inspector standby, return trips or administrative time, other than the asbestos air-district notice we prepare and file. Testing is priced on the testing page. Worked examples illustrate their stated assumptions and are not quotes. When a project needs any of these, they’re listed in the written proposal.
A written proposal follows a site walk or a review of your plans, reports and photos.
SoCal Removal is the business name of Abajian Enterprise, a California corporation. CSLB #980451 (A, B, C-21). Certifications: HAZ, ASB (ASB for bidding only). Verify the license · Insurance and project bonding