How Much Does Lawn Aeration Cost In 2024? (2024)

On average, lawn aeration can cost anywhere between $85 to $250, with an average cost of $135. However, it’s important to note that the lowest costs may drastically differ for various reasons. The size of the lawn will significantly impact the cost of aeration.

When it comes to landscaping cost, aeration can be an additional cost to factor in. You must consider the size of your lawn, the type of aeration, the price of equipment and labor rates in your market area. Here is a basic formula you can use to estimate your lawn aeration costs:

1. Determine the size of your lawn in square feet.Most contractors will quote you based on the size of your lawn. Measure this by multiplying the length and width of your lawn in feet.
2. Decide the type of equipment you’ll use. A manual aerator will be less expensive but take longer to complete the job, while a motorized aerator is faster but more expensive.
3. Get estimates per square foot. Call different lawn care companies to know how much they’ll charge per square foot.
4. Calculate the cost by multiplying the size of your lawn by the price per square foot for the type of aeration you chose. For example, if your lawn is 5,000 square feet and the price per foot is $0.05 for core aeration, the cost will be $250 (5,000 x $0.05). This includes labor and materials.

The actual cost of aeration will vary on other factors, such as the difficulty of the job and whether or not any additional services may be required.

The average American lawn typically sits atjust under a quarter of an acre. However, lawn sizes can vary widely depending on the region. The average cost of lawn aeration is between $0.02 to $0.05 per square foot. Yet, most aeration companies charge roughly $30 to $100 per 1,000 square feet.

Common aeration methods or types include core aeration, spike aeration and liquid aeration. Typically, you can expect core aeration to be a bit pricier, while liquid aeration is usually on the lower end of the price pool. We recommend chatting with a pro to determine the best aeration method or type for your lawn.

Core Aeration

This is the most common type of aeration used. It involves using a specialty tool to remove small cores or plugs of soil from the soil to alleviate soil compaction. The average cost of core aeration is between $50 to $150 per 1,000 square feet.

Spike Aeration

This type of aeration also involves poking holes into the soil using a spike aerator tool. Spike aerators typically have solid tines or spikes that penetrate the soil to a depth of 1 to 3 inches, depending on the type of equipment and the soil conditions. The average cost of spike aeration is between $20 to $40 per 1,000 square feet.

Liquid Aeration

This newer, non-invasive type of aeration involves spraying a solution onto the lawn to break up compacted soil. However, the effectiveness of liquid aeration greatly depends on the quality of the product and the application method. Liquid aeration is typically less expensive than core aeration, with an average cost of between $25 to $50 per 1,000 square feet.

The labor costs to aerate a lawn can vary depending on the type of aeration, the size of the lawn and other additional services. Here are some common ways that labor costs for lawn aeration may be calculated.

Hourly Rate

Although rare, some lawn care professionals may charge an hourly rate. Lawn aeration services may range from $30 to $65 per hour, depending on the location and experience of the contractor. However, some contractors may charge a minimum base fee, so make sure to ask for all pricing information broken down by your chosen contractor.

Per Project

Most lawn care professionals may charge a fixed fee for the entire aeration project, regardless of the time it takes. Generally, the price is based on the size of the lawn and the type of aeration performed. For example, for core aeration, they may charge between $100 to $200 for a typical residential lawn.

Per Square Foot

Some lawn care professionals may charge per square foot for lawn aeration. This is particularly common for lawns with unusual shapes. The rate for core aeration may range from $0.05 to $0.10 per square foot.

While lawn size has the most significant impact on the cost of lawn aeration, other factors can influence the total cost of aeration, including:

Type of Aeration

Different types of aeration, including core, spike or liquid aeration have different costs associated with them. Core aeration is generally more expensive than spike or liquid aeration but may be more effective for certain types of soils.

Soil Condition

If the soil is particularly compacted, it may require more time and effort to aerate. This can result in higher labor costs.

Accessibility

If the lawn is difficult to access, such as if it is located on a steep slope, it can be more challenging to aerate and potentially increase labor costs.

Packages

The cost of aeration can often be negotiated into a packaged deal, particularly if you hire the same professional for lawn maintenance and other projects. Some lawn companies might offer a discount of up to 20% for such services.

Location

The cost of lawn aeration can vary greatly based on local market conditions and the cost of living in the area. Areas with higher living costs or higher demand for lawn care services may have higher prices for aeration.

In addition to the direct costs of lawn aeration, such as labor and equipment, lawn professional often recommend other services associated with aerating, including:

Fertilizing

Aeration creates ideal conditions for seed germination and fertilizer uptake, so many lawn care professionals recommend doing this after the aeration is completed. These materials and services can add to the overall cost of the service.

Mowing

Regular mowing is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. Mowing your lawn before aeration can maximize the effectiveness of aeration.

Overseeding

This involves spreading grass seed over the existing lawn to encourage new growth and fill bare spots. Overseeding is a time-consuming process that can increase the cost of the project.

Dethatching

Over time, dead grass, leaves and other debris can accumulate on the lawn and create a layer of thatch. This can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the roots of the grass, which can cause the lawn to become unhealthy. Dethatching involves removing this layer of thatch to promote healthy grass growth.

You may need to perform more than routine mowing and watering to make your lawn more vibrant and healthy. Lawn aeration is crucial in creating optimal soil conditions by creating small holes to facilitate the passage of air, water and nutrients to the grassroots. Aeration helps address issues such as compaction, thatch buildup and poor drainage. Knowing when to aerate your lawn is essential for maintaining a thriving lawn.

Water Pooling

An indication that your lawn may need aeration is if there is water pooling or runoff, especially following a light rain or routine watering. Compacted soil prevents water absorption, resulting in water accumulating on the surface. Aeration alleviates this problem by creating channels for improved water drainage.

Hard Soil

If you’re faced with hard clay soil or soil that becomes compacted due to heavy foot traffic or equipment use, it can restrict the movement of essential elements like air, water and nutrients needed for healthy grass growth. Aeration helps break up the compacted soil, creating a more favorable environment for your lawn.

Thatch Buildup

An excessive buildup of thatch, consisting of dead grass, roots and organic matter, results in unsightly brown patches on your lawn and harms its overall health. Aeration is a crucial step in tackling this issue since it helps break down and manage thatch, leading to better absorption of nutrients and water into the soil.

Lawn aeration has multiple benefits that improve your grass’s health and vibrancy. This task helps with soil water uptake, improves air exchange and enhances the overall resilience of your grass, resulting in a lush and thriving lawn.

Improved Soil Water Uptake

Compacted soil can be broken up by aerating your lawn, which, in turn, promotes water absorption. This allows for deeper water penetration into the soil, thereby reducing surface runoff and guaranteeing adequate hydration of the grassroots. This improved soil water uptake boosts water efficiency and moisture retention, ultimately creating a more resilient and flourishing lawn.

Improved Air Exchange

Aerating the lawn improves air exchange, which is essential for the relationship between soil and atmosphere. So when there is compacted soil, there is limited oxygen flow to the grassroots, which disrupts metabolic processes. Aerating your lawn to enhance air exchange can help promote grass vitality and contribute to the lawn’s long-term sustainability.

Improved Grass Health & Root Growth

Aeration improves soil compaction by creating holes in the soil, allowing grassroots to penetrate deeper and promoting the growth of a stronger and more extensive root system. This enhances nutrient absorption, reduces thatch buildup and boosts the grass’s ability to withstand environmental stresses, ultimately making a healthy, vibrant lawn that lasts longer.

Lawn aeration is a very DIY-friendly project, especially if you choose a manual aerator. Aerating your lawn will significantly save you money. However, this is only true if you have the right equipment. If you don’t, you will still need to rent the equipment, setting you back around $40 to $350 per day, depending on your chosen machinery.

The cheaper DIY alternative is if you choose to do liquid aeration yourself. Generally, a gallon of the liquid aerator will cover about 10,000 square feet of lawn. Prices for liquid aerator products range from $20 to $50 per gallon. However, liquid aeration still requires expertise, can be time-consuming and might not be as effective as other aeration methods, so consider pulling in a professional for that project unless you’ve done it before and feel confident about DIYing.

Hiring a professional can likely give you better results. Additionally, most contractors already own the equipment for aerating lawns, and their prices can be significantly more affordable than the DIY route.

Ultimately, if you have a smaller lawn and are comfortable using lawn care equipment, doing it yourself may be a good option. However, hiring a professional may be better for larger lawns or those with more complicated landscaping to ensure a healthy and beautiful lawn.

If you are working on a budget, here are some ways to save money on aerating your lawn:

1. Combine services: Most lawn contractors will offer you a packaged deal if you combine services. Consider bundling services like mowing or fertilizer to save money.
2. Share with neighbors: If you and your neighbors are all interested in aerating your lawns and you take a DIY approach, consider renting the equipment together to save money.
3. Shop around: Get multiple quotes from different lawn care companies to compare prices and find the best deal. Look for seasonal discounts or promotions, or ask if they offer any package deals for multiple services.

Aerating your lawn can be worth it, particularly if it has problems with poor drainage, soil compaction or thatch buildup. Aerating is a cost-effective way to improve the health and appearance of your lawn without having to repatch or reseed it. However, aerating may not be necessary if your lawn is generally healthy.

To arrive at the average costs in this article, 11 websites and two retail stores were surveyed nationally and locally. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.