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How to Estimate Lawn Aeration
Contractor method to estimate lawn aeration by area, plug vs spike, compaction and labor with clear materials and labor lines.
Aeration opens the soil so water and roots breathe, and the price is driven by the lawn area and whether you pull cores or just spike it. This guide covers measuring the lawn, choosing the method, and pricing compaction and cleanup.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How to Estimate Lawn Aeration
A 5,000 sq ft lawn, plugged, with 4 labor hours at $55 totals about $676.
Measure the lawn area
Price by the square footage of turf you aerate. Odd shapes and tight areas add time, so measure the actual lawn, not the lot.
- Lawn area
- Core vs spike
- Compaction
- Labor hours
Core aeration vs spiking
Core aeration pulls plugs and relieves compaction; spiking just pokes holes and is cheaper but less effective. Choose by the soil condition.
Compacted and clay soils cost more
Heavy clay or very compacted ground is slower to aerate and may need two passes. Quote the extra when the soil is hard.
Cleanup is part of the job
Core aeration leaves plugs on the surface that dry and break down. Confirm whether cleanup and any reseeding are included.