How Much Does Lawn Aeration Cost in 2025?
The average lawn aeration cost is $140
The average cost to aerate a lawn ranges between $75 and $205, with most paying $140.
Costs vary based on lawn size, location, soil type, and preparation needed.
Many bundle aeration with additional services like overseeding, fertilizing, detaching, and mowing.
Hiring a lawn care professional ensures effective aeration and can save time and effort.
The frequency of aeration affects overall cost, with most lawn care companies offering discounted rates for lawn care packages.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Budgeting for lawn aeration is essential to maintain a healthy and vibrant yard. On average, lawn aeration costs $140, with most paying between $75 and $205. Smaller yards might cost as little as $45, while larger ones could run up to $400. Lawn aeration removes plugs of soil, improving air and water flow for a healthier yard overall. Hiring a lawn care professional ensures the job gets done effectively and avoids common mistakes like property damage and uneven aeration.
Lawn Aeration Cost Factors
There are several factors that influence the cost of aerating a lawn. Here's what you need to know to budget for your lawn aeration project.
Size
The size of your lawn plays a big role in how much you'll pay to aerate it. Many pros charge a flat rate for standard lawn sizes such as 5,000, 10,000, or 20,000 square feet. If your yard is under 1,000 square feet, you might pay between $0.10 and $0.35 per square foot or receive a time-based estimate.
Since the average lawn is about 10,000 square feet (just under a quarter acre), you can expect a flat-rate quote between $120 and $175 if your lawn is similar in size. Many companies won’t price by the square foot for spaces that are larger than an acre, which costs an average of $480 to $650.
| Lawn Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 5,000 | $125 |
| 10,000 | $175 |
| 20,000 | $350 |
Location
Your location matters when it comes to aeration costs. If you live in a rural town, you’ll likely pay less than someone in an urban area. That's because factors like the local cost of living, taxes, and labor rates can cause prices to vary depending on where you are.
Landscape Prep
A pro will usually assess your lawn before giving a quote, looking at both its size and condition. If your yard needs extra prep, like raking leaves, cleaning up debris, or mowing, expect to pay an additional $40 to $70 per hour for labor. They might also suggest pairing aeration with other services like overseeding or fertilizing to help your lawn look its best.
Aeration Method
The most common lawn aeration methods are spike aeration, liquid aeration, and core aeration, which vary in price and labor requirements.
| Type of Aeration | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Liquid | $80-$150 |
| Spike | $40-$250 |
| Core | $75-$250 |
Packages
You can sign up for an inclusive lawn care package or add lawn aeration to an existing one for a lower price than aeration alone. Depending on your lawn’s condition and local offers, signing up for twice-yearly aeration can save up to 20% on the service. Get a quote from a lawn aeration specialist near you to find ways to save.
Slope
Some aeration specialists choose to charge by the hour if there are noticeable slopes in the lawn, as steep slopes can make navigating an aerating machine take longer.
Soil Type
Your lawn professional will determine your soil type before aerating. If your lawn has sandy soil, the cost of aeration will fall toward the lower end of the price range, as spike aeration is the most popular option. Loam or clay soil, on the other hand, tends to require core aeration, which costs more per square foot than spike aeration.
Additional Lawn Aeration Costs
In addition to aeration, your lawn pro might suggest extra services to help your lawn look its best. While these can add to the total cost, they also boost your yard's health and appearance.
Overseeding
Overseeding costs range from $100 to $160, while reseeding costs range from $50 to $80. This process promotes new plant growth and is most effective when combined with aerating.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing costs between $200 and $500 for an average-sized lawn, though you may need to fertilize your yard several times per year. You’ll want to ensure that your lawn gets enough water when fertilizing. Adding a new sprinkler system costs between $1,700 and $3,500 and will simplify watering your lawn on a schedule.
Dethatching
Dethatching costs range from $160 to $225. Power raking is an aggressive approach to clearing out thatch when it’s 1/2-inch thick. Dethatchers are less aggressive and are for thatch layers less than 1/2-inch thick.
Thatch is a layer of organic material (including dead grass) that accumulates between the grass and the top layer of soil. Grass roots grow into the thatch instead of the soil if this layer becomes too thick.
Mowing
Lawn mowing prices range from $50 to $210 on top of your aeration cost. Smaller yards will fall towards the lower end of the price range, while larger lawns will fall towards the higher end.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Lawn Service
If you’re thinking of aerating your lawn yourself, renting a core aerator costs about $65 for four hours or $100 per day, plus a $150 deposit. But keep in mind, it's not just about the cost. You'll need to pick up and transport a bulky machine, figure out how to use it, and spend hours walking back and forth across your lawn. In the end, hiring a local lawn care pro saves you time and money, and you'll know the job is done right. You'll get peace of mind knowing your lawn is in expert hands, ensuring the best results without the hassle.
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. We surveyed thousands of real 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aeration is the best way to keep your lawn healthy and vibrant. Annual aeration makes your lawn more breathable and helps nutrients reach the roots, improving water absorption and reducing puddles where pests might breed. However, timing matters. It's best to avoid aerating during droughts, extreme heat, or if your lawn is battling weeds. A local pro can help you determine the ideal time for your yard.
Most lawns benefit from annual aeration to keep them healthy and thriving. If your lawn has a lot of thatch buildup—more than half an inch—you might need to aerate twice a year for a couple of years to get it under control. But if your soil isn't compacted and there's minimal thatch, you might be able to skip a year.
When you hire a professional lawn care company, a standard 10,000-square-foot lawn takes about 30 minutes to aerate. Uneven, sloped, or especially large lawns can take significantly more time. So, depending on your lawn's size and condition, the process can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours.
The best time to aerate your lawn is during the spring or fall when your grass is actively growing and the soil has enough moisture. Aerating once in the spring and once in the fall yields the best results. Avoid aerating when your lawn is dormant or right after heavy rain when the soil is too wet—that can make aeration less effective.
Even if your lawn looks healthy, aeration can still be beneficial. If you have good growth, proper drainage, and little thatch, you might not need to aerate right away. Regular aeration helps water and nutrients reach the roots, keeping your lawn strong over time. Keep an eye on your lawn's condition to decide when it might need aeration.
Get our Angi-powered app
