How much does lawn aeration cost?

Lawn aeration cost

Lawn aeration costs $75 to $250 on average or $7 to $25 per 1,000 square feet. Lawn services charge $40 to $75 minimum to aerate small lawns and $130 to $250 per acre for big yards. Aerating creates a thicker, healthier lawn by removing plugs of soil to allow air, water, and fertilizer to flow.

TruGreen's TruComplete package costs $900 to $1,300 per year for aeration, overseeding, fertilization, and more.

• Lawn aeration takes 30 minutes to 2 hours on average.
• Aerate lawns with cool-season grasses (northern U.S.) in early spring or fall.
• Aerate lawns with warm-season grasses (southern U.S.) in late spring or early summer.
• Aerate once a year for yards with clay soil that compacts easily and twice a year for high-use lawns showing signs of damage.

Lawn aeration cost calculator

Average cost to aerate lawn

The average cost to aerate a lawn depends on size, location, site conditions, and whether aeration is combined with mowing, overseeding, or fertilizing. Most aeration companies charge a flat rate based on square footage or acreage.

*Based on 325 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Lawn aeration prices per square foot

Landscaping companies calculate lawn aeration services 1,000 square feet at a time. Lawn aeration costs $7 to $25 per 1,000 square feet, depending on the location and lawn size. Rates for multi-acre properties are lower. Lawns under 1,000 square feet are $40 to $75 minimum.

Aeration prices per acre

Aeration costs $130 to $250 per acre on average. Lawn service companies in rural areas typically charge by the 1/4 acre, 1/2 acre, or full acre rather than by square foot.

Flat rate and hourly aeration charges

Most aeration services charge a flat rate of $75 to $250 for up to 10,000 square feet (around 1/4 acre) or $30 to $70 per hour. Aerating a 1/4 acre lawn takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. Aeration costs less when packaged with an annual plan that includes mowing, fertilizing, or other maintenance.

*Most companies charge a $40 to $75 minimum regardless of lawn size.

TruGreen aeration cost

TruGreen only provides aeration as part of a plan. TruGreen's TruComplete Lawn Care Plan costs $900 to $1,300 per year, depending on location. TruComplete includes aeration, overseeding, fertilization, weed control, and more. Lawns less than 5,000 square feet may qualify for a first visit discount.

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Lawn aeration charges by type

Lawn services charge $75 to $250 to aerate a lawn, while DIY methods cost $30 to $120. The types of lawn aeration are core, liquid, and spike aeration. Lawn companies use core aeration because it's the most effective way to relieve soil compaction and create a thicker, healthier lawn.

Core aeration cost

Core aeration costs $75 to $250 for 10,000 square feet. Core aerators remove small plugs of soil and thatch from the lawn, reducing soil compaction and allowing more water, air, and fertilizer to reach the roots. Core aeration encourages new grass growth and creates a thick, healthy lawn.

Liquid aeration cost

Liquid aeration costs $80 to $150 for a professional to aerate 10,000 square feet. DIY liquid aeration costs $30 per bottle, enough to cover 12,000 to 32,000 square feet of lawn with a garden hose sprayer.

Liquid aeration uses a safe chemical solution to loosen the soil, creating tiny pathways for oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. Liquid aeration requires multiple applications and takes 45 to 60 days to produce noticeable improvements.

Spike aeration cost

Spike aerators cost $40 to $250 for DIY aeration. Spike aerators use thin metal tines to poke holes in the lawn, allowing more air and water to reach the roots. Lawn services use core aerators instead because spike aeration isn't as effective and may cause more soil compaction.

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Lawn aeration price factors

Lawn aeration prices depend on the lawn size, preparation, location, and site conditions.

• Lawn size – Aeration prices are based on lawn size. Some companies offer fixed rates for up to 5,000 or 10,000 square feet. Condos and townhomes with small lawns cost $40 to $75 minimum.
• Prep work – Aeration is most effective if the lawn is mowed and watered the day before. Some companies include this service while others charge extra. Most pros also charge extra to flag sprinkler heads, shallow irrigation lines, and buried cables.
• Location – Aeration prices are typically lower in rural areas.
• Site conditions – Lawns with hills or steep slopes cost more to aerate because it's more difficult to maneuver large aerator equipment on uneven surfaces.

Aeration and overseeding cost

The average cost to aerate and overseed a lawn is $160 to $425 for 10,000 square feet, depending on the grass type. Seeding immediately after aerating is ideal because aeration opens the soil, creating a healthy environment for new grass seeds to take root.

Fertilizing and aerating costs

Aeration and fertilizing costs $115 to $280 for an average lawn of 10,000 square feet. Aerating allows fertilizer to penetrate the soil better and reach the roots.

Combining aeration with other lawn services

Lawn companies typically offer reduced rates when combining aeration with other services:

• Tree trimming costs $400 to $650 with aeration.
• Add tree removal to aeration for $320 to $810.
• Lawn mowing costs $180 to $205 with aeration.
• Sprinkler system installation costs $1,900 to $3,800. Watering a freshly aerated lawn encourages healthy root development.
• Landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour.
• With aeration, gardening costs $215 to $350.
• Lawn rollers cost $130 to $300 to buy or $15 to $20 per day to rent. Lawn rolling compacts the soil, which slows root growth. Aerating after rolling relieves the compaction.

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Power raking and lawn dethatching costs

Thatch is a tightly packed layer of dead roots, stems, and leaves that accumulates between the grass and soil. Less than a 1/2 inch of thatch is beneficial, insulating the soil from extreme temperatures and holding in moisture. Too much thatch prevents air and water from reaching the roots.

• Dethatching costs $220 to $670 for up to 10,000 square feet and is best for yards with less than an inch of thatch.
• Power raking costs $150 to $450 and is a more aggressive method best reserved for lawns with more than an inch of thatch.

Lawn service experts recommend overseeding immediately afterward to fill in bare spots caused by dethatching or power raking.

What’s the difference between aerating and dethatching a lawn?

Aeration removes small cores of soil to relieve compaction. Dethatching doesn't relieve compaction but removes layers of dead organic matter on the surface that block air, water, and nutrients from reaching the grass roots.

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Benefits of aerating lawn

Aerating stimulates root growth and creates a thicker, healthier lawn that is more resistant to drought and extreme temperatures. Soil compaction leads to bare patches and brown grass. Aeration opens the soil, providing better water and nutrient absorption at the roots.

Disadvantages of aerating

Aeration leaves unsightly plugs on the lawn that take 1 to 3 weeks to decompose. Aeration machines may damage sprinkler heads, shallow irrigation lines, and underground cables if they're not properly flagged in advance. Aerating at the wrong time of year may cause dryness or increase weed growth.

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DIY lawn aeration service cost

DIY liquid aeration costs $30. DIY core aeration costs $45 to $135 on average to rent and haul the machine, plus 2 to 4 hours of labor. Lawn aeration is taxing physical work involving heavy equipment and requires preparation before the aeration process:

• Mow the lawn to a height of 1.5 to 2 inches the day before aerating.
• Blow leaves and remove debris from the yard.
• Flag all sprinkler heads, buried irrigation lines, and underground cables.
• Water the lawn the day before aerating.
• Aerate in an East/West direction, then make another pass in a North/South direction. Go over severely compacted areas several times.
• Water the lawn after aerating.

Lawn aerator rental cost

Core aerator rental costs $45 to $80 for four hours or $70 to $110 per day, plus a $75 to $150 refundable deposit. Renting a utility trailer to haul the aerator yourself costs $15 to $25 per day. Otherwise, aerator rental delivery and pickup fees add $100 to $300.

• Look for discounted weekend rates. Many stores charge homeowners a 1-day fee to rent an aerator on Saturday and return it Monday.
• Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, and equipment companies like United Rentals or Sunbelt Rentals offer lawn aerator rentals.

Cost to buy a lawn aerator

The average cost to buy a tow-behind plug or spike aerator is $100 to $400. Core and spike aerators come in tow-behind, manual push, and self-propelled models. Handheld aerator tools are inexpensive and can handle small bare patches of grass depending on the soil compaction.

How much does a lawn aerator weigh?

Self-propelled plug aerators weigh 250 to 370 pounds, including two 30- to 40-pound removable weights to add traction. Tow-behind plug aerators attach to a riding mower or tractor and weigh 70 to 250 pounds. Manual push aerators weigh 25 to 30 pounds.

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What is lawn aeration service?

Professional lawn aeration service companies use a core aerator machine to remove small plugs of soil and thatch buildup from the turf, relieving soil compaction and creating a stronger, healthier lawn.

How long does it take to aerate a lawn?

Lawn aeration takes 30 minutes to 2 hours on average, depending on the lawn's size. The plugs take 1 to 3 weeks to break down after aeration. Don't remove the plugs. The decomposing plugs feed valuable nutrients back to the roots and increase new grass growth.

When is the best time to aerate a lawn?

The best time to aerate lawns with cool-season grasses (northern U.S.) is early spring or fall. The best time to aerate lawns with warm-season grasses (southern U.S.) is late spring or early summer.

• Avoid aerating dormant lawns or during cold snaps, heat waves, and droughts.
• Avoid aerating immediately after heavy rain. The soil should be moist but not soaked.
• If aerating and overseeding simultaneously, early fall is best as grass seeds have a better chance of germinating in cool temperatures.

How often should I aerate my lawn?

Aerate once a year for lawns with compacted soil or clay and twice a year for high-use lawns showing signs of damage. Healthy lawns with sandy soil or minimal foot traffic require aeration every 2 years. Aerating too often may damage the grass and interfere with growth.

How do I know if my lawn needs aerating?

Look for these signs that your lawn needs aerating:

• Thin or bare patches
• Discoloration
• Spongy grass
• Grass that dries out quickly
• Excessive weed growth
• Pooling water
• Too much thatch

Can I mow my lawn after aeration services?

Wait 1 to 3 weeks after aeration or until the grass has grown at least 3 inches before mowing the lawn. This allows the plugs to decompose and new grass growth to establish itself enough to resist damage from the lawnmower.

Is it better to fertilize before or after aeration?

Experts recommend fertilizing and watering the lawn within 48 hours after aeration. Fertilizing immediately after aerating produces the best results. The new holes give seeds, fertilizer, and water a better chance to penetrate the soil.

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Hiring a lawn aeration service

Getting aeration quotes

Look for lawn service companies with aeration experience and be sure to:

• Get at least three quotes to compare.
• Compare lawn service packages to find out if better pricing is available when several services are bundled.
• Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for longer than five years.
• Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
• Ask for a written contract and warranty.
• Get a full breakdown of all costs involved.
• Avoid making payments upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.

Questions to ask lawn care professionals

• Do you recommend liquid or core aeration for my lawn, and why?
• Will you flag my sprinkler heads before aerating the lawn?
• Do you offer a discount for bundling aeration with overseeding or fertilizing?
• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
• How do you handle damages that happen on the job?
• What does your warranty policy include?
• What is your payment schedule?

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