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Last updated: 19 May 2024
How much does lawn aeration cost?
Tired of a patchy lawn that refuses to grow? Lawn aeration could be exactly what you need. But how much does lawn aeration cost in the UK? Keep reading to find out.
Fast Facts
The average lawn aeration cost in the UK is around £90
DIY aeration options range from £8 to £45
For accurate prices in your area speak to local lawn aeration experts
In this guide, we’ll break down the average lawn aeration cost when hiring a professional to do the work. We'll also look at some DIY lawn aeration costs to help you compare.
How much does lawn aeration cost?
| Item | Unit | Cost - low | Cost - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn aeration service | Per lawn | £35 | £145 | £90 |
| Aeration shoes | Equipment | £8 | £30 | £20 |
| Aerator fork | Equipment | £15 | £45 | £30 |
| Petrol aerator rental | Per day | £40 | £160 | £100 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
Depending on the factors we mentioned above, the typical lawn aeration service cost normally falls between £35 and £145 per lawn.
If you’re looking to save on the cost of lawn aeration, you could attempt to do it yourself. However, you’ll need to purchase the right equipment.
It's worth considering that if you hire a professional, they will already have this equipment, which could save you from splashing out on pricey tools and will also save you from having to store them.
Lawn aeration costs per method
The total cost of DIY lawn aeration will depend on the method you choose:
Aeration shoes cost
The cheapest method is probably to use aeration shoes (also known as lawn spiking shoes). You can purchase these for around £8 to £30 from most garden centres.
Aerator fork cost
As an alternative to aeration shoes, you could use an aerator fork, which will cost between £15and £45.
Lawn aerator rental cost
However, if you have a bigger lawn or you get tired easily you could rent an aerator instead.
This is the most expensive option, as it’s likely to cost between £40and £160 for a day (the cost of a petrol aerator will be at the upper end of this price bracket).
Ultimately, DIY lawn aeration is a manual job that requires a lot of time and effort. Opting for a professional lawn aeration service is a cost-effective option that will save you a great deal of hard work.
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Factors affecting your lawn aeration cost
The total cost of lawn aeration will depend on several factors, including:
The size of your lawn
The condition of your lawn
Whether you need lawn scarification
While aeration is a lawn treatment that removes sub-surface thatch, lawn scarification removes surface thatch. Whether or not you need both will depend on how compact your soil is and how easily it drains.
What is lawn aeration?
Lawn aeration is a lawn treatment that involves making holes in the soil to break up thatch and improve drainage. Normally carried out between late spring and early autumn, it’s an effective way of encouraging lawn growth.
There are two main methods of aeration, although they should both cost roughly the same.
Hollow Tine
Hollow tine aeration is a kind of aeration that removes soil plugs and materials from the ground to increase the oxygen in the soil and allow water to get to the roots of the grass better.
This is usually achieved using machinery, although you could also use a hollow fork. After the soil plugs have been removed, they’re usually collected and cleared away.
Fracture Tine
Fracture tine aeration is a kind of aeration that breaks up sub-surface thatch and roots to create small channels that penetrate beneath the surface of the ground.
Normally fracture tine aeration is done by puncturing the earth with small blades.
Unlike hollow tine aeration, the fracture-tine method doesn’t involve removing any soil, which means there won’t be any clean-up required afterward.
Lawn aeration service cost summary
Lawn aeration is an effective way of encouraging lawn growth
Hollow tine and fracture tine are the two lawn aeration methods
You can carry out lawn aeration yourself, but hiring a professional will be quicker and easier and provide better results
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
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