How Much Does Soil Testing Cost?
Check out how to budget for soil testing
A soil test costs $1,399 on average, with most homeowners paying between $672 and $2,155.
Costs vary depending on location, type of test, and number of samples needed.
Testing is recommended every 3 to 5 years to ensure soil health and safety.
Professional soil testing provides accurate results and can identify contaminants.
Understanding soil condition helps in planning construction or agricultural projects effectively.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
A soil test costs $1,399 on average, with most homeowners paying between $672 and $2,155. The final cost depends on factors like your location, the type of test, and the number of samples required.
Since soil testing is recommended every 3 to 5 years to maintain optimal soil health and safety, you'll want to budget accordingly. Hiring a soil testing professional ensures you get accurate results and can help identify any potential issues early on.
Cost by Type of Soil Test
If you're testing for contamination, individual tests are broken down as follows:
| Type of Test | Soil Test Range |
|---|---|
| Gardening Soil Testing | $15 - $200 |
| Lawn Soil Testing | $20 - $100 |
| Sulfur and Boron Testing | $25 - $100 |
| Specific Contaminant Soil Testing | $30 - $50 |
| Soil Texture | $35 - $75 |
| Gravity of Soil Testing | $50 - $80 |
| Fertility of Soil | $50 - $300 |
| Heavy Metal Testing | $70 - $200 |
| Basic Soil Profile Testing | $270 – $300 |
| Oil Tank Soil Testing | $500 – $550 |
| Advanced Soil Testing | $500 – $570 |
| Soil Composition Testing | $600 – $675 |
| Geotechnical Testing | $1,000 – $5,000 |
Farm and Agricultural Soil Sample Testing
If you're conducting large-scale agricultural or landscape soil surveys, you may require more comprehensive analyses. For example, basic soil composition testing typically costs between $600 and $675, while more extensive geotechnical testing can range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the scope and depth of the analysis.
University and Soil Testing Lab Cost
Independent labs offer more specific testing options. For example, specific contaminant soil tests cost between $30 and $50 per test, while heavy metal testing ranges from $70 to $200. More comprehensive analyses, like advanced soil testing, usually cost between $500 and $570.
Soil Testing Kit Price
Home DIY soil testing kits cost $15 to $200. Some of these tests provide you with instant results. Others require mailing them to a lab and may have additional report charges.
Garden Soil Testing: $15–$200
Specific Contaminant Soil Testing (e.g., for lead): $30–$50
Heavy Metal Testing: $70–$200
Onsite Technician Labor Costs
Soil technician labor costs add $50 to $100 per hour or $300 to $800 per day to your total. If you need a chemist or lab professional to review your tests, you can expect to pay $100 to $200 per hour or $1,000 to $2,000 per day.
| Type of Professional | Per Hour | Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Technician | $50 - $100 | $300 - $800 |
| Chemist or Lab Professional | $100 - $200 | $1,000 - $2,000 |
Testing Material Costs
Material costs range from $10 to $150, depending on the test you choose. For most lab samples, you can use plastic bags or order special bags from the lab you select.
DIY Soil Testing vs. Hiring a Pro
If you want instant results for your garden, a DIY home test kit might be all you need. You can start with a DIY solution: first, use a home kit to screen your soil. Then, if it comes back positive for heavy metals or other impurities, you can send a sample to a lab for detailed analysis. You can hire a local soil testing professional for your garden and agricultural needs to ensure high-quality, accurate results.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Testing your soil is essential because it confirms that your foundation will be stable and that the surrounding soil and groundwater meet safety standards. It ensures that your building site is solid without the risk of shifting and that your garden or agricultural areas contain the proper balance of nutrients for robust plant growth. Comprehensive soil tests also detect potential contaminants that could affect long-term health and crop success.
Determining the proper soil test depends on your project’s goals. For crop production or garden care, you'll need a test that measures nutrient levels and soil composition to ensure optimal growing conditions. For construction, a geotechnical test examines your soil’s stability and load-bearing capacity to confirm that the land supports your building without risk. Both tests provide essential data to safeguard your investment and ensure success.
You should test your soil every 3 to 5 years to ensure optimal health and performance. Regular soil tests confirm that nutrient levels, pH, and lack of contaminants remain within safe parameters for building and gardening. A consistent testing schedule allows you to make smart updates to your soil management before embarking on construction or noticing diminished plant growth, thereby safeguarding your property and investment.
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