Lawn aeration typically costs between $150 and $250 for an average quarter-acre yard when done professionally. Larger lawns may cost $300 or more, while DIY options using rented equipment can run as low as $75 — but they’ll take more of your time and effort.
Aeration helps your lawn breathe. Over time, the soil gets compacted, especially in high-traffic areas, which prevents water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots. That leads to thin, patchy grass and stubborn weeds. Aerating the soil solves that by pulling out small plugs of dirt and letting your grass grow deeper and stronger.
If you’ve noticed dry patches, puddling water, or thinning turf, it’s probably time to aerate. Most homeowners benefit from this service once a year, typically in early spring or fall. Hiring a lawn care company like TruGreen means faster, cleaner results and the option to bundle aeration with overseeding or fertilizing for better long-term lawn health.
In this guide, we’ll break down what you can expect to pay for both DIY and professional aeration and when it’s worth spending more to get better results.
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Lawn Aeration Costs at a Glance
Professional lawn aeration costs between $150 and $250 for an average ¼-acre yard. For larger properties, expect to pay $300–$400 for a half-acre and around $700 or more per acre. Most lawn care companies charge $15–$18 per 1,000 square feet.
DIY aeration is cheaper, usually costing $75 to $100 for a day-long rental of a core aerator. If you’re quick and experienced, you might get it done with an hourly rental for as little as $50 to $60. Just be ready to spend a few hours doing the work and transporting the equipment.
Here’s how the costs compare:
| Method | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| DIY | $75–$100 |
| ¼-acre lawn (professional) | $150–$250 |
| ½-acre lawn (professional) | $300–$400 |
| Full acre (professional) | $600–$800 |
Keep in mind, if your yard needs prep work — like clearing leaves or branches — that can add $200–$600 for a spring clean-up, unless you handle it yourself.
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DIY Lawn Aeration Costs
Doing the aeration yourself can save you money, especially if you already have a tow-behind aerator for your mower. Most homeowners rent a core aerator for the day, which typically costs $75–$100. That should give you enough time to aerate a standard lawn.
If you’re working with a smaller yard — or you’re confident and quick — you might get away with an hourly rental for $50–$60.
Just remember: this isn’t a no-effort task. You’ll need to:
- Pick up and return the equipment
- Spend a few hours pushing or towing the aerator
- Clean up your yard before you start
And if your lawn is littered with sticks, leaves, or debris, you’ll need to handle that first. Hiring out the cleanup adds $200–$600, but you can avoid that cost with a bit of weekend work.
Professional Lawn Aeration Costs
Most homeowners pay between $150 and $250 to have a pro handle aeration on a typical ¼-acre lawn. The cost scales with yard size — a ½-acre yard runs $300–$400, while a full acre averages $600–$800.
Most companies charge $15–$18 per 1,000 square feet, but some may offer flat rates or bundle pricing. For example:
- ¼-acre lawn (10,890 sq. ft.): $150–$180
- ½-acre lawn: $300–$360
- 1 acre: $600–$800
Bigger properties don’t always mean bigger per-acre rates—some companies offer discounts for multi-acre jobs.
Hiring a pro saves time and reduces the risk of over-aerating or missing spots. It also lets you bundle in services like overseeding, fertilization, or dethatching — which often lowers the cost per service.
If convenience matters to you or your schedule’s tight, this is the way to go.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Read our TruGreen Review for more information.
Aeration by the Acre
If you’ve got a larger property, expect pricing to shift from square footage to flat per-acre rates. Most lawn care companies charge around $600 to $800 per acre, with $700 being the average.
For multi-acre jobs, you might see a discount — especially from local providers looking to earn repeat business. Always ask if there’s a bulk rate if you’re aerating more than one acre.
Calculating Lawn Aeration Prices
Whether you’re going DIY or hiring a pro, the total cost depends mostly on your lawn’s size and how much prep work is needed.
If you’re renting equipment, figure around $75–$100 for a day, plus fuel and transport. If you can knock it out in under four hours, an hourly rental at $50–$60 might do the trick. Just keep in mind: Your time and effort aren’t free — especially if this is your first time aerating.
For professional services, ask how they charge — some go by square footage, others by the hour. You’ll also want to ask:
- Is there a minimum service charge?
- Are there travel fees?
- What’s included in the quote?
If you’re also planning on overseeding, fertilizing, or spring cleanup, it’s smart to ask about package deals. Bundling can save money and give you better long-term results.
Factors That Influence Aeration Cost
Several things can impact how much you’ll pay for lawn aeration. Here are the biggest cost drivers:
Lawn Size
This is the main factor. The bigger your yard, the more time and effort it takes—so the cost goes up. Most companies charge $15–$18 per 1,000 sq. ft. or $600–$800 per acre.
Location
Lawn care is more expensive in high-cost-of-living areas. If you live far from the provider, expect a travel fee of up to $50.
Lawn Prep
If your lawn is covered in debris, you’ll need to clean it up before aeration. Spring clean-up services cost $200–$600. Some homeowners also opt for dethatching, which runs $175–$300 or more depending on yard size.
Negotiating Pricing & Package Deals
While national lawn care companies usually stick to fixed rates, local providers are often open to negotiation — especially during the off-season or if you’re bundling multiple services. If you’re comparing quotes, don’t be afraid to ask if there’s wiggle room on price or if they offer discounts for new customers, seniors, or multi-service packages.
Bundling aeration with services like overseeding, fertilization, or a spring clean-up often lowers the overall cost. For example, aeration alone might cost $180, but when packaged with overseeding, the per-service rate typically drops. This approach not only saves money but also ensures your lawn benefits from a coordinated treatment plan, maximizing results in one visit.
If you’re getting quotes, ask each company for a breakdown of what’s included and whether additional treatments like grub control or weed prevention can be added at a reduced rate. The more you group together, the more value you’ll usually get.
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Lawn Aeration Methods
There are three main ways to aerate a lawn, and each one tackles soil compaction differently.
- Spike aeration is the most basic method. It uses solid spikes to poke holes into the soil, helping water and air reach the roots. It’s inexpensive but offers short-term benefits and isn’t ideal for compacted soil.
- Core aeration is the most effective and widely recommended method. It removes small plugs of soil from the lawn, relieving compaction and allowing nutrients to penetrate more deeply. The plugs break down naturally over time, helping fertilize the soil as they decompose.
- Liquid aeration uses a chemical solution — typically ammonium lauryl sulfate, the same stuff found in soaps — to break down dense soil and organic matter. It’s a gentler process and better suited for homeowners who prefer not to disturb the surface of their lawn, though results may take longer to notice compared to core aeration.
Each method has its place, but for most compacted lawns, core aeration is the best investment.
Additional Costs Beyond Aeration
Lawn aeration is a strong first step toward a healthier yard, but most homeowners get the best results by pairing it with other services. These extras can add to your total cost but deliver a noticeable difference in the look and health of your lawn.
Overseeding
Overseeding is a popular follow-up. It fills in bare spots and thickens your turf, helping your lawn outcompete weeds. This service usually adds $500 to $1,500, depending on yard size and the type of seed used.
Fertilization
Fertilization helps restore nutrients that your grass needs to grow thick and green. After aeration, fertilizer soaks in more effectively. Fertilization services average around $350, but pricing can range from $100 to $550.
Tree & Shrub Care
Tree and shrub care may also come into play, especially if you’re focused on curb appeal. These services vary widely—expect to pay $50 to $1,000 depending on the number, size, and condition of your trees and shrubs.
Pest Control
Pest control is another add-on worth considering. Lawn pests like grubs, ticks, and ants can damage your turf from the roots up. Treatment costs typically range from $150 to $500, though perimeter treatments for termites or more aggressive pests could push that closer to $1,000.
Why Your Lawn May Need Aeration
Most lawns benefit from aeration once a year, especially in high-traffic areas or heavy clay soils. But how do you know if your yard really needs it? There are a few easy signs to look for.
Compacted Soil
If your grass looks thin, dry, or patchy, there’s a good chance the soil underneath is compacted. Compacted soil keeps water and nutrients from reaching the roots, which stunts growth and weakens your lawn. You might also notice water pooling after it rains — that’s another sign the soil isn’t absorbing moisture properly.
Thick Thatch
Check the thatch layer too. Thatch is the layer of dead grass and organic material between the soil and the living grass. A little is fine, but if it’s more than half an inch thick, it could be holding moisture and nutrients away from the roots. In that case, you may need dethatching before aerating.
Compacted Soil
If you suspect compaction, try the screwdriver test: push a screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in easily, your soil is probably fine. If it takes effort or barely goes in, your lawn will benefit from aeration.
Uneven Grass Growth
Uneven growth is another clue. Areas that get walked or driven on more often will compact faster and grow more slowly. Aerating those spots can help bring them back in line with the rest of your lawn.
Final Thoughts: Is Lawn Aeration Worth it?
Yes, lawn aeration is absolutely worth it if you want a thicker, healthier yard. It relieves compacted soil, improves drainage, and helps your grass get the nutrients and water it needs to grow strong. When paired with overseeding and fertilization, it can completely transform a struggling lawn.
For most homeowners, professional aeration costs between $150 and $250, which is a small investment compared to the long-term benefits. A healthy lawn requires fewer weed treatments, holds up better during drought, and just looks better overall.
DIY aeration can save you some money, but it takes time, effort, and the right equipment. If you’re short on time or want guaranteed results, hiring a pro is a smart move — especially when you can bundle it with other lawn services.
Companies like TruGreen offer aeration as part of a larger lawn care plan, which can give you better results for less money. If your lawn looks tired or patchy, aeration is one of the most effective — and affordable — ways to bring it back to life.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Today’s Homeowner’s Rating Methodology
At Today’s Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each lawn company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each lawn care service’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the lawn care companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the best lawn care companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:
- Plan Options (30): Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
- Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at the number of lawn care coverages, including weed control, seeding, irrigation, aeration, dethatching, and more.
- Trust (10): What do customers say after their lawn has been serviced? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.
- Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same lawn services.
- Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as organic treatments, pest control, or a mobile app? We looked for perks each company offers that set them apart from the competition.
- Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.
- Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.
