Cost to grade/plant grass seed for 3 acres

[Nic3456]

We have 5 acres of flat land with no trees that we just built a house on. We are wanting to plant grass on 3 acres. I was going to try and tackle myself, but with my work commitments I really dont think I could do all the grading, etc in time. I have a Kubota BX with 52"bb and FEL and there are a few big mounds around the house.We've only received 1 quote so far, and it's for $2,000/acre to grade/prep,Harley rake and plant seed (not certain of seed type yet) (This doesn't include straw which would be another $800/acre if wanted/needed. It does come with a germination guarantee

This price seemed a little high to me since all the land is clear (has a bit of soybean residue) and flat, but I'm not sure.

The property is in central Ohio

 

[RNeumann]

Hard cost is about $600 acre for seed and fertilizer. It's an unknown since you indicate it's flat but needs grading. But let's say $40 an acre in fuel.
Time and type of prep isn't described so that's difficult to tell. But based on the rate he is figuring 12-15 hrs/acre at $100 hr for 1 person plus machine.
Not sure what the cost to acquire the supplies and move move the equipment are. Plus the site visit and time to quote you.
I know I didn't directly answer your question. It s just too many variables.

 

[LD1]

Yep. Too many variables. Going rate around here for finishing a lawn after construction is $1 per yard. Which is almost $5k per acre.

But finishing after construction is usually slot more grading work, and usually 1/2 to 1 acre lawns. Given you have 3 acres, and unlikely all of it was tore up from construction, price would likely come out lower. $2k per acre ain't bad especially with a guarantee. Which most places offer. Of the lawn don't turn out , they come back and re seed on their dime.

Grass seed for a new lawn is about 150 pounds per acre. And grass seed can range from $1 per point to North of $5. Big quality and germination difference too. Most companies use good quality stuff. So yeah, looking at $1000 per acre easy enough for just the seed fertilizer and straw.

Your $800 quote per acre for straw does seem high though. If they have a blower, $50 of straw and an hour's time does an acre.

 

[jenkinsph]

Nic,
I agree with the others that there are too many variables to give you a proper answer. Depends on how much clean up and grading is needed and how good a job the contractor does. But in general terms if the contractor does a good job I feel that ($2000/acre) is a fair price. His profit will not be very much when all is said and done.

On flat areas as you are describing I would roll and pack it rather than putting down straw. Straw can help but not at $800/acre.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Take it one section at a time and do it yourself. Do the area close to the house this year in time for it to grow, then start working on the rest little by little.

 

[Clay45]

Sounds like a good time to acquire a rototiller. A good walking broadcast sprayer and 300# Kentucky 31. You will enjoy the tiller later for the garden too.

 

[boggen]

the straw you most likely going to want. if you do not. first couple rains are just going to start eroding paths throughout the yard. until grass has a chance to grow.

if you gotta have perfect yard next spring it costs$$$$ if you can live with the grass taking 3 to 4 years to initially grow and fill in. then it costs less. by removing the fertilizer, and like. and first year letting the grass go to seed might help, then mowing the stuff down. but going cheaper and DIY also means coming back and filling in some spots that did not grow very well the first and/or 2nd year.

with house built and just moving in, your worn out, both physically and mentally. perhaps you just need a kick in the rear, to get motivation to get out there with the tractor you have and get'er done. along with choice of renting and/or buying some other implements for the tractor to make it easier.

Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer = good spot to find alot of tractor attachments, with videos and text to go along in how to use them / set them up. so you can stuff.

 

[sixdogs]

There isn't an easy answer because to only seed and fertilize is one price. Likely you could use a dozer in there to grade things and give some dimension to the property to add character and visual impact. Add $1,000 for a dozer, assuming you could find a local guy that knew what to do.

Prepping, leveling, grading, packing and seeding would be in the $1,800-$2,500 per acre range assuming bean stubble, not too many rocks, no newly planted trees to maneuver around and that sort of thing. You likely need a dozer to contour and now is the time. This is with a good seed, fertilizer, etc.

There is a lot of crap-py work around from people that don't have the equipment and don't know what they are doing and I see it more often than not. Also, NO Kentucky 31 in central Ohio. Too wide bladed for here.

Oh, spray those weeds soon and keep at it. And also, you'll get a better job keeping the weeds down over the summer, working the ground in July/August and seeding at the end of August or beginning of summer. Almost no one around here is going to put straw down cheap and I have never seen a germination guarantee around here.

 

[kthompson]

Get another quote, if both about same then most likely local rate. But depending on what you need done and regulations there on who can do the work due to licenses or such may have limited options. If not issue there you may be able to find someone who will do the grading at a low fee and you do the other work. Not familiar with grass there but much of our warm weather grass here the seeing depth is light hand raking and we do not put straw on it for it requires sun light to germinate. As has been said now is the time to grade it and at same time keep all equipment off of such as drain lines.

 

[Dadnatron]

3 ac isn't that much, considering what you can purchase for $6000.

Rent a Harley rake for prep. Rent a broadcast spreader. Rent a roller. Let it grow then fill in the areas which don't grow well.

The only thing I am confused about is the 'mounds'. I don't understand what you are seeing nor what you wish done.

Straw is good, but it isn't magic. If it is flat, you can reseed any small areas which wash easily enough. And you have a BX so you can do the dirt work to fill in any washed areas.

But it is the 'mounds' which I am unclear about. Putting in grass isn't really the issue in my opinion.

Purchase grass seed from a COOP or farm supplier (NOT Tractor supply) a real supplier. You should be able to get Bluegrass or Fescue for less than $4/lb likely closer to $3. You can dump grass seed on those 3 ac at 100lbs/ac with a broadcast spreader and even if only 1/2 of it grows, you will have a great stand of grass given enough moisture.

You pay for expertise and immediacy when you hire a professional. There is no doubt.