By lawn size. Aeration alone runs $15–30 per 1,000 sq ft — contractors on LawnSite report $15–20, and the HomeGuide and Angi 2026 tables (typical residential jobs $75–206) land in the same arithmetic for a normal yard. Most operators add a stop fee of $40–135 for travel outside their route.
The combination runs $35–80 per 1,000 sq ft. Working operators on Reddit quote $35–40 at standard seed rates (about 3 lb per 1,000 sq ft); full-service programs with premium seed run to $85 (Green Lawn Fertilizing prices a 5,000 sq ft lawn near $425). Seed cost is the swing — price the seed you actually spread.
Heavily compacted or clay soil justifies a second aeration pass at roughly half again the price. Walk the lawn first: if the cores are shallow or sparse, the double pass is the honest quote — and the visible result sells next year's contract.
| Service | Typical US rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| Aeration only | $15 – $30 / 1,000 sq ft |
| Aeration + overseeding | $35 – $80 / 1,000 sq ft |
| Typical residential job (aeration) | $75 – $206 whole lawn |
Keep going with these tools — they build on this calculation: Lawn Mowing Cost Calculator, Lawn Care Estimate Generator, Mulch Calculator and Snow Removal Pricing Calculator.
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Across 2026 US data, $15–30 per 1,000 sq ft, which puts a typical residential lawn at $75–206 whole-job (Angi average). Contractors on LawnSite report $15–20 per 1,000 sq ft with $40–135 stop fees for out-of-route travel.
The combination typically runs $35–80 per 1,000 sq ft. Working operators quote $35–40 at standard seed rates (about 3 lb per 1,000 sq ft); premium seed and full-service programs run toward the top of the band.
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, rye) germinate best in cooling soil, and the aeration holes give seed contact with soil instead of thatch. Fall jobs also pre-sell next spring: the lawn that came in thick keeps the customer.
Most operators do — $40–135 depending on distance, per LawnSite contractor reports. Bundle neighbors on the same street into one route day and the fee becomes margin instead of friction.