How Much Does It Cost to Dethatch a Lawn in 2025?
Typical Range:
$100 - $700
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Updated December 17, 2024
Written by HomeAdvisor.Highlights
The average cost to detach a lawn is $215, with prices ranging from $100 to $700.
The size, topography, and lawn condition affect the total cost.
Most lawn dethatching companies charge between $50 and $85 per hour per person and dispatch a two to three-person crew.
You can combine dethatching with other services, such as power raking and hydroseeding, to save on bundle packages.
Dethatching a medium-sized lawn averages $215 for one to two hours of labor. Bigger lawns could take longer and cost as much as $700, while smaller lawns might only cost $100. Most lawn companies use a two- to three-person crew to dethatch and remove debris as quickly as possible.
If your lawn has more brown grass than green, it’s probably suffering from a thatch issue. Thatch is the dead grass layer resting on top of the soil. When a half-inch thick, this layer prevents sun and water from reaching the roots. Once the thatch is removed, healthy grass can truly flourish.
Average Cost to Dethatch a Lawn
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
$215 |
$700 |
$100 |
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Lawn Dethatching Cost Factors
The cost of dethatching depends on several factors, including the size and condition of your lawn, topography, the thickness of the thatch, and local labor rates.
Lawn Size
Most homeowners pay an average of $0.12 to $0.25 per square foot for lawn dethatching, meaning it’ll cost around $125 to $250 for every 1,000 square feet. The larger your lawn, the more expensive it will be to dethatch. Large lawns require more workers, machinery, and equipment, causing the cost of labor and materials to increase.
| Lawn Size in Sq. Ft. | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $125–$250 |
| 2,000 | $250–$500 |
| 5,000 | $600–$1,250 |
Topography
The topography of your lawn determines how long it takes to detach, directly impacting labor costs. Flat lawns are the easiest to detach, allowing pros to complete the job efficiently and without additional equipment. Lawns with obstacles, steep slopes, or extensive landscaping take significantly longer, resulting in higher costs.
Thatch Amount
The thickness of your lawn’s thatch lawyer determines how long the job takes. Letting thatch build up for an extended period results in higher costs because it takes longer to remove. If your lawn produces a lot of thatch, consider scheduling regular detaching appointments. Many companies offer reduced rates for routine maintenance plans.
Time of Year
The cost of detaching depends on the time of year. It’s more challenging to dethatch a lawn during rainy or cold winter conditions, causing prices to increase. Hot summer days can also make it harder for your lawn to bounce back after removing the weeds. Scheduling service during mild seasons results in the most cost-effective prices.
Labor
Most local lawn dethatching companies charge between $50 and $85 per hour per person for detaching. Depending on the size and condition of your lawn, the job generally takes between one and four hours to complete. Most companies dispatch a team of two to three people, costing between $100 and $255 per hour.Â
Additional Services
Most homeowners pay between $180 and $250 for dethatching. However, your lawn care specialist may recommend several services to get your yard looking its best, including power raking, hydroseeding, lawn fertilizing, and lawn aeration. The cost of lawn care services varies depending on your lawn size and the type of service needed.
When you add one of these services to dethatching, you may get a discounted bundle rate. Bundling services save you money and can benefit your lawn in the long run.Â
| Lawn Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Power raking | $100–$200 |
| Hydroseeding | $400–$500 |
| Fertilization | $230 |
| Aeration | $75–$225 |
Power Raking
Power raking costs between $10 to $20 per 1,000 square feet. For a 10,000-square-foot lawn, you’ll typically pay between $100 and $200. Power raking is a more aggressive way to remove a dead layer of grass. It does more damage to a lawn than standard dethatching, so it’s recommended for lawns with thatch more than a half-inch thick. Even in ideal conditions, you may need to reseed lawn patches to replace dead areas after power raking.Â
Hydroseeding
Hydroseeding costs $400 to $500, or $0.06 to $0.20 per square foot. It’s a combination treatment that involves spraying your lawn with water, seeds, fertilizer, and mulch. Pros apply this treatment—called a slurry—using a high-pressure hydroseeder to moisturize your lawn and promote growth.
Lawn Fertilization
Lawn fertilizing treatment costs an average of $230. It’s recommended to fertilize your lawn right after detaching or aerating, as the quick-release fertilizer's nutrient boost helps your grass recover from the trauma. When combined with a slow-release fertilizer, your grass gets that initial boost, followed by the steady nutrient availability of the slow-release fertilizer, creating healthier and more sustainable grass plants over time.
Aerating
Lawn aeration prices are usually $75 to $225. After detaching, it’s best to aerate your lawn to help build healthier, sturdier, greener grass over the long term. These two processes open up the soil structure and remove dead grass buildup, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the roots.Â
Dethatching vs. Aerating
It’s common to dethatch and aerate simultaneously, but they are different processes. Dethatching removes the layer of thatch, or dead grass, from the base of your grass plants, while aerating removes small plugs of soil from the lawn.Â
Dethatching improves airflow around plants and allows water and nutrients to reach the base of the grass and the soil. Aeration allows water and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil to reach the roots easily. It also allows air to enter the soil to improve its structure.
Does Dethatching a Lawn Increase Home Value?
Lawn dethatching can contribute to increased home value. Detaching boosts the health and aesthetic of your lawn, offering increased curb appeal and signaling to buyers that the home is well-maintained. A well-landscaped yard can have a 5.5% to 12.7% price advantage over a home without landscaping. By improving the appearance of your lawn, you’ll help your property stand out in the market and attract more prospective buyers.
Budgeting for Lawn Dethatching
The cost of dethatching varies significantly depending on the size and condition of your lawn. To keep the project as budget-friendly as possible, consider the following tips:
Keep your lawn in good condition and remove obstacles to reduce labor rates.
Schedule service during mild conditions to prevent increased costs due to harsh weather.
Compare quotes from multiple landscaping companies to find the most competitive offer.
Combine lawn treatment services to find reduced bundle rates.
The thicker that thatch, the more time it takes to remove. Schedule regular appointments to prevent excessive buildup.
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.
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FAQs
How does a dethatching machine work?
Dethatching machines look like lawnmowers but have blades that cut down in crisscrossing motions. This action loosens the thatch, which is then raked up separately and removed. You might see some dethatching machines with rake-like tines. These often do not offer the best experience compared to those with blades.
Is it better to fertilize my lawn before or after dethatching?
You should fertilize your lawn after dethatching. This gives the damaged grass a solid nutrient boost to aid quick recovery, helping your lawn to grow back greener and stronger. Fertilizing before dethatching wastes your time, money, and energy and may even damage your lawn.
Is dethatching a lawn worth it?
Yes, dethatching is worth it if you've got a thick thatch layer. Grab a trowel, dig up a small section of soil and grass, and check how thick the thatch layer is. If it's an inch or more, and you're noticing problems like thinning grass, weak, patchy grass, or pale coloring, it could be time to dethatch to restore health and vigor.
How much does lawn reseeding cost?
The cost to reseed a lawn typically ranges from $400 to $1,800. The total price often depends on the size of your lawn and the type of service needed.
