How Much Does Hydroseeding Cost in the UK?
Commercial hydroseeding typically costs between £0.30 and £0.90 per m², depending on the seed specification, site conditions and total area. The final price for your project will depend on a handful of practical factors — most of which you'll already know from your site drawings and specification.
This page sets out realistic cost ranges for different types of hydroseeding work, explains what drives the price up or down, and shows where hydroseeding delivers significant savings over alternatives like turfing and erosion control blankets.
Where We Work
Based in Cheshire, CDTS operates across the UK. Our core service area covers the North West, North Wales, the Midlands, and into Scotland — but we regularly travel further for larger infrastructure, reclamation, and ecological schemes.
Wildflower and BNG specification mixes
Wildflower seeding and species-rich grassland mixes for biodiversity net gain (BNG) compliance typically cost £0.45 to £0.90 per m². The higher rate reflects the increased cost of specialist seed — native wildflower and species-rich mixes are significantly more expensive than standard amenity grass seed.
Amenity grass hydroseeding
Standard amenity grass hydroseeding on a prepared site typically costs £0.30 to £0.85 per m². The rate depends primarily on the total area being treated and site access conditions. Larger sites with good vehicle access sit at the lower end of this range.
BFM and EFM erosion control
Bonded Fibre Matrix (BFM) and Engineered Fibre Matrix (EFM) applications for erosion control on steep slopes cost approximately 30–50% more than standard hydroseeding. The increase comes from the specialist mulch materials required to create a continuous erosion-resistant matrix on slopes of 2:1 and steeper.
Smaller sites and day rates
For areas under 2,000 m², a day rate typically applies rather than a per-m² rate. Day rates range from £1,280 to £2,100 + VAT, depending on travel distance and site requirements. This covers mobilisation, equipment, materials and application for the day.
What Affects the Price
Every hydroseeding quote is site-specific. These are the main factors that move the cost up or down.
What increases cost
Small or scattered areas — multiple small plots require more mobilisation time and setup relative to the area treated, pushing the per-m² rate higher
Travel distance — remote sites or those far from the CDTS base in Cheshire increase mobilisation costs
Difficult ground conditions — poor soils, steep slopes or challenging substrates may require higher material application rates, soil amendments or BFM/EFM products
Specialist seed mixes — native wildflower, species-rich grassland and BNG-specification mixes cost significantly more than standard amenity grass seed
What reduces cost
Large contiguous areas — the bigger the site, the better the value per m². CDTS deploys 6000L lorry-mounted hydroseeders on areas exceeding 100,000 m² for maximum efficiency
Good vehicle access — sites that can accommodate the lorry-mounted unit without restrictions allow faster application and lower costs
Standard amenity grass mixes — straightforward grass seed specifications keep material costs down
How Hydroseeding Compares to Alternatives
Hydroseeding is significantly cheaper than turfing and erosion control blankets, and comparable in cost to conventional drill seeding — while establishing faster and providing better erosion protection than conventional methods.
Real example: SUDS pond — turfing vs hydroseeding
On a typical 2,000 m² SUDS pond embankment originally specified for turf, the cost comparison is striking:
On housing developments with multiple SUDS features, the cumulative saving is substantial — with equivalent or better establishment outcomes.
Method comparison at a glance
| Method | Relative cost | Establishment speed* | Erosion protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroseeding (amenity) | |
7–14 days to germination | Good |
| Hydroseeding (BFM/EFM) | |
7–14 days to germination | Excellent — immediate matrix protection |
| Conventional drill seeding | |
21–28 days to germination | Limited until established |
| Erosion control blankets | |
Varies | Good — but labour-intensive to install |
| Turfing | |
Immediate visual cover | Good — but very expensive at scale |
*Germination timeframes are indicative and assume optimal conditions including adequate soil preparation, moisture and seasonal timing. Actual establishment rates vary by site conditions, weather and seed mix specification.
What's Included in a CDTS Quote
A CDTS hydroseeding quote covers the full scope of work from initial advice through to establishment monitoring:
How we quote
For larger areas, we quote per m² based on your site drawings and specification. For smaller sites (typically under 2,000 m²), we quote a day rate that covers mobilisation, materials and application. Lump sum pricing is available on request for specific programmes of work.
What's not typically included
Ground preparation works (cultivation, topsoil placement) and ongoing maintenance after establishment are not included in a standard hydroseeding quote. If your project requires these, we can advise on what's needed and coordinate with your groundworks contractor.
1
Site survey and assessment
We review your site conditions, access, slopes and specification requirements
2
Seed mix design
We specify the right mix for your soil, aspect and project objectives, whether that's rapid amenity cover, BNG-compliant wildflower meadow or erosion control
3
Ground preparation advice
We advise on seedbed preparation to give the best establishment results
4
Hydroseeding application
Full mobilisation, materials, equipment and trained operators delivered to your site. Application is carried out to your agreed specification with full RAMS and environmental controls in place.
5
Follow-up visits and establishment monitoring
We return to check germination and establishment progress, giving you confidence that the specification is being met. If any areas need attention, we identify them early and advise on remedial action before they become a problem.
FAQs
How much does hydroseeding cost per m²?
Amenity grass hydroseeding ranges from £0.30 to £0.85 per m². Wildflower and BNG specification mixes range from £0.45 to £0.90 per m². BFM/EFM erosion control applications add approximately 30–50% to standard hydroseeding rates. The final rate depends on site size, access conditions and seed specification.
How quickly can you start?
Lead times depend on current workload and season, but CDTS operates a fleet of six hydroseeders across the UK, so we can typically mobilise within. For urgent programme-critical work, we'll always try to accommodate shorter timescales.
How long does it take on site?
A 6000L lorry-mounted hydroseeder can treat 2–3 hectares per day on typical slopes. Smaller towed units cover 1–1.5 hectares per day but can access restricted areas. Most sites are completed within one to three days of on-site work.
Is hydroseeding cheaper than erosion control blankets?
Significantly. Erosion control blankets are labour-intensive to install and expensive at scale. Hydroseeding with BFM/EFM products provides equivalent or better erosion protection at a fraction of the cost, with the added benefit of integrated vegetation establishment.
Where does CDTS operate?
CDTS is based in Cheshire and operates across the whole of the UK. We regularly carry out hydroseeding and erosion control work across the North West, North Wales, the West Midlands and Yorkshire, as well as projects further afield in Scotland, the South East and the South West. Whether your site is in Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Wrexham, Stoke-on-Trent, Shrewsbury or Birmingham, we can provide a site-specific quote based on your location and project requirements.
Get a site-specific quote
Every project is different. Send us your site drawings, specification and programme requirements and we'll provide a detailed quote.