How Much Does Lawn Aeration Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $75 - $205
For a typical 10,000-square-foot yard, lawn aeration services will cost you between $75 and $205. The national average is around $139.
The average lawn aeration cost is $139, but homeowners can expect prices to range from $45 to $400 depending on lawn size, type of aeration, and additional lawn services. Lawn aeration is the process of using a specialized spiked tool to poke hundreds of small holes in your yard that leave room for water, air, and vital nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Learn more about lawn aeration costs and what may impact the price you pay.
- Average
- $139
- Low end
- $45
- high end
- $400
Lawn Aeration Cost Calculator
Calculations are based on the average size of a yard, which is ¼ acre. We converted these dimensions to 10,871 square feet.
| Quantity | Cost Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn Core Aeration Cost | 10,871 square feet | $275–$525 |
| Optional: Lawn Preparation Services | 1 hour | $40–$70 |
| Total | $275–$525 | |
| Total per Square Foot | $0.03–$0.05 | |
| Total with Options | $315–$595 | |
| Total with Options per Square Foot | $0.03–$0.05 |
How to Calculate Your Lawn Aeration Cost
To calculate the cost of aerating your lawn, follow these steps:
Determine your lawn size: Calculate or research the total square footage of your lawn.
Choose the aeration type: The type of aeration will impact the total bill. Talk with your lawn aeration pro about the best kind of aeration service for your lawn.
Get quotes from multiple lawn aeration services: Shop around to at least three local aeration companies to compare pricing and availability.
Calculate the cost: Once you know the per square foot price of your chosen aeration service, multiply it by the square footage of your lawn.
Lawn Aeration Cost Factors
Lawn aeration costs are about $139 for a 10,000-square-foot yard. This price can be as low as $75 for basic services and can reach up to $205 with extra add-ons like fertilization and reseeding. The aeration method you choose will also play a part in the price tag, with core aeration being the most expensive method.
Lawn Size
It costs an average of $0.10 to $0.35 per square foot to aerate a lawn that’s less than 1,000 square feet.
However, lawn aeration companies often utilize the flat-rate method to charge for their services, meaning the price for aeration is somewhat dependent on the size of your lawn. Larger lawns can be priced per acre, typically at a rate of $480 to $650, while flat rates for 10,000-square-foot yards may range from $120 to $175. Below is a breakdown of typical lawn sizes and the cost to aerate by flat-rate price.
| Lawn Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 sq. ft. | $50–$75 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $100–$350 |
| 5,000 sq. ft. | $125 |
| 10,000 sq. ft. | $175 |
| 20,000 sq. ft. | $350 |
| 1 acre | $480–$650 |
| 5+ acres | $2,400+ |
If you’re trying to save a little extra money, you may want to aerate only the most visible part of your lawn. This strategy can help you get a greener lawn and more curb appeal without breaking the bank.
Aeration Type
| Lawn Aeration Method | Average Cost Per 10,000 Sq. Ft. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Aeration | $80–$150 | Budget-friendly; increases ground’s oxygen levels |
| Spike Aeration | $40–$250 | Works best on loose, sandy soil |
| Core Aeration | $75–$250 | Compatible with more soil types; long-lasting results |
Location
The cost of lawn care services in your area usually depends on the local cost of living, labor rates, taxes, and business fees. Generally, you can expect to pay more for lawn aeration in larger metropolitan areas than in a rural community.
Slope
If your property sits on a hill, expect higher lawn aeration costs. It takes longer to safely navigate steep slopes with an aerating machine, and the lawn care company you hire may switch from a set rate to an hourly rate depending on how much of your lawn is sloped.
Soil Type
The type of soil you have can impact lawn aeration costs in a number of ways. Different soil types require different aeration methods. Core aeration is ideal for firm, packed earth, clay-based soil, or loamy soil. Spike aeration costs less but is better suited to loose or sandy soil.
Lawn Prep
If your lawn needs raking, mowing, trimming, or debris removal services, anticipate spending an additional $40 to $70 per hour. Aerating a lawn can be a huge undertaking if the yard needs a lot of preparation. A pro won’t usually quote you sight unseen and will rather inspect your lawn to estimate the extent of the work. If you take on the grunt work of prepping your yard, you can save big time.
Packages
You may be able to snag a deal on aeration costs by including aeration as a bundled service in a package deal. This can lead to discounts of up to 20% compared to lawn aeration alone. Some companies package aeration with the following lawn care services.
You may also be able to save on lawn aeration costs by scheduling multiple aerations throughout the year. Signing up for a twice-yearly aeration can come with discounts. Contact a local lawn aeration service to get a quote.
Common Lawn Aeration Add-Ons
If your yard needs extra support, check out common add-on services and bundle together projects to maximize your spending
| Additional Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Mowing | $50–$210 |
| Overseeding | $100–$160 |
| Fertilizing | $200–$500 |
| Reseeding | $50–$80 |
| Dethatching | $160–$225 |
Mowing: $50–$210
Overseeding: $100–$160
Fertilizing: $200–$500
Reseeding: $50–$80
Dethatching: $160–$225
Cost to Aerate a Lawn Yourself
It costs about $65 to rent an aerator for four hours or $100 per day, plus a $150 deposit. Lawn aeration is a time-consuming process, and you can expect to spend at least one full day poking hole after hole if you choose to do it yourself, which can get pretty tedious. With that in mind, you may prefer to save time and energy by hiring a professional.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you decide to aerate your lawn yourself, you likely won’t save on costs. If you rent a core aerator for the bare minimum of four hours, you could end up paying around $215 to aerate your lawn, which includes the deposit that you won’t get back if something goes wrong and you damage the aerator. But keep in mind that very large lawns may require a full-day rental, putting your expenses at $250 or more when you factor in the deposit fee.
Considering the time and manual labor required to get the job done, you may find this project is a huge undertaking that’s somewhat like doing a marathon around your yard. Aeration for most average yard sizes costs between $75 and $200 if you hire an aeration company, so you could actually end up spending more if you try to DIY it.
How to Save on Lawn Aeration Costs
Transforming your lawn into a lush sea of green is achievable without breaking the bank. When planning on having a professional take on your lawn aeration project, consider the following ways to cut costs where possible:
Start with the front yard first, then schedule the backyard at a later date.
Take care of the yard prep work yourself to lessen the work the pro needs to do.
Choose a cost-effective lawn aeration method that will work for your yard.
Speak with your pro on what other services you can bundle to lower overall project costs.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a healthy lawn, it’s not necessary to aerate it. However, lawn aeration comes with many benefits that can improve lawn health and help you save money on lawn care.
Aeration makes it easier for lawns to absorb water and key nutrients. It also encourages a strong root system and discourages weed growth. So do your lawn a favor: Make it as holey as Swiss cheese, and let it breathe. If you have more questions regarding aeration, you can contact a landscaping company near you.
Experts recommend aerating a lawn at least once a year. If you haven’t aerated your lawn recently, or if it has a significant amount of thatch buildup, you may need to aerate it twice annually for a few years. Keeping up with a regular aeration schedule helps ensure the long-term health of your yard.
The length of time it will take depends on the size of your lawn, the method, and if you DIY or hire a pro. If you hire a company to aerate a 10,000-square-foot lawn, it will take about 30 minutes. If you’re DIYing, it could take longer. Additionally, if you have a sloped or uneven lawn, this will also increase the time needed to safely aerate your soil.
It’s a good idea to aerate your lawn in the fall or spring when there is plenty of moisture in the soil. If you plan to aerate twice annually, you can do so once in the fall and once in the spring. You don’t want to aerate when your grass is dormant, and you also don’t want to aerate directly after a big rain, as the soil will be too wet for the aeration to be effective.
Almost all lawns can benefit from aeration, but not all lawns need aeration services. If your lawn has puddles of standing water, uneven grass growth, thinning grass, dries out quickly, or has a good amount of thatch, aeration is worthwhile. On the other hand, if your lawn is healthy and your soil isn’t too compact, you may be able to skip a year of aeration.