The Quick Answer
Professional lawn aeration in Michigan costs $10-22 per 1,000 square feet, depending on whether you choose single-pass or double-pass service. Most companies have a service minimum of $100-150 regardless of lawn size.
For a typical Metro Detroit lawn, expect to pay:
| Service Type | Price per 1,000 sq ft | 5,000 sq ft Lawn | 10,000 sq ft Lawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Pass Aeration | $10-15 | $100-150 (minimum) | $100-150 |
| 2-Pass Aeration | $18-22 | $100-150 (minimum) | $180-220 |
Note: Most professional aeration services have a minimum charge of $100-150. Smaller lawns still pay the minimum because the setup, travel, and equipment costs are the same regardless of lawn size.
These prices reflect professional service with commercial-grade equipment in Oakland and Wayne counties, including cities like Troy, Rochester, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Novi, and Farmington Hills.
What Affects Aeration Cost?
1. Single-Pass vs. Double-Pass
1-Pass Aeration ($10-15 per 1,000 sq ft)
A single complete pass across your lawn. Best for:
- Annual maintenance on healthy lawns
- Lawns aerated regularly (every year)
- Moderate soil compaction
- Properties with good soil conditions
2-Pass Aeration ($18-22 per 1,000 sq ft)
Two complete passes in different directions (cross-hatching). Best for:
- Heavily compacted soil
- Clay-heavy Michigan soil
- Lawns that haven't been aerated in 2+ years
- High-traffic areas
- New homeowners inheriting neglected lawns
- Maximum results when combined with overseeding
The second pass nearly doubles the number of cores extracted, creating significantly more channels for air, water, and nutrients. For severely compacted lawns, the difference in results is substantial.
2. Lawn Size
Most companies price by square footage, with some offering slight discounts for larger properties. Measure your lawn or check your property survey to get an accurate estimate.
3. Lawn Condition and Obstacles
Factors that may affect pricing:
- Slopes and terrain: Steep hills require more time and effort
- Obstacles: Many trees, garden beds, or landscape features to navigate around
- Irrigation heads: Require careful avoidance (you should mark these before service)
- Fencing/access: Difficult access may add complexity
4. Equipment Quality
Not all aerators are equal. Professional services using commercial-grade equipment (like Stinger aerators) pull deeper, more consistent cores than consumer-grade machines. This matters for results.
Cheap services often use worn equipment that barely penetrates the soil. You get what you pay for.
What's Included in Professional Aeration?
A quality aeration service should include:
- Pre-service assessment: Evaluating lawn condition and any problem areas
- Proper equipment: Commercial-grade aerators with sharp, well-maintained tines
- Complete coverage: Systematic passes covering your entire lawn
- Appropriate depth: Cores pulled 2-3 inches deep
- Obstacle navigation: Careful work around sprinkler heads, trees, and landscaping
- Aftercare guidance: Instructions for watering and next steps
What's NOT typically included (and shouldn't be):
- Sprinkler head marking (your responsibility - you know where they are)
- Core cleanup (cores should be left on lawn to decompose naturally)
DIY Aeration: Is It Worth the Savings?
You can rent an aerator from home improvement stores for $70-100 per day. Sounds cheaper, right?
The Hidden Costs of DIY
Equipment quality: Rental aerators are consumer-grade machines that have been used (and abused) by dozens of renters. Tines are often dull, and the machines lack the weight and power of commercial units. They pull shallow, inconsistent cores.
Physical demand: Push aerators are heavy and exhausting. A 10,000 sq ft lawn takes 2-3 hours of hard labor. Most homeowners underestimate this.
Transport hassle: Getting a 200+ pound machine in and out of a truck or trailer isn't trivial.
Learning curve: Proper technique matters - speed, overlap, pattern. First-timers often miss spots or make ineffective passes.
Time cost: Factor in pickup, transport, the actual work, return, and you've spent most of a day.
The Math
| Factor | DIY Rental | Professional Service |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Consumer-grade, worn | Commercial-grade, maintained |
| Core depth | 1-2 inches typical | 2-3 inches consistent |
| Your time | 4-6 hours total | 0 hours |
| Physical effort | High | None |
| Results | Variable | Consistent |
| Cost (10,000 sq ft) | $70-100 + your time | $100-220 |
For the modest price difference, professional service delivers better results with zero effort on your part. The math favors hiring a pro for most homeowners.
When to Aerate (Timing Affects Value)
Aeration timing impacts results significantly:
Best times in Michigan:
- Spring: Late April through May
- Fall: Late August through October (optimal)
Why fall is ideal:
- Soil moisture is typically good
- Cool temperatures favor grass recovery
- Perfect timing for overseeding
- Grass stores carbohydrates for winter
- Less weed competition than spring
Avoid:
- Summer heat (grass is stressed)
- Frozen or waterlogged soil
- Drought conditions
Aerating at the right time maximizes your investment. A $150 fall aeration delivers more value than a $150 July aeration.
Aeration + Overseeding: The Value Combo
Many homeowners combine aeration with overseeding for maximum lawn improvement. When done together:
- Seeds fall into aeration holes with direct soil contact
- Germination rates increase dramatically
- You're addressing compaction AND thin turf simultaneously
- Often priced as a package deal
If your lawn is thin or patchy, the aeration + overseeding combination is the single most effective treatment available. The cost is higher than aeration alone, but the results justify it.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- What equipment do you use? (Commercial-grade is better)
- How deep are the cores? (2-3 inches is proper)
- Do you do single or double pass? (Know what you're getting)
- What's included in the price? (No hidden fees)
- When do you recommend aerating? (A good company will discuss timing)
Red flags:
- Prices dramatically below market (cutting corners somewhere)
- Can't name their equipment
- Pushy upselling of unnecessary services
- No clear explanation of what's included
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I aerate my lawn?
Most Michigan lawns benefit from annual aeration. Heavily compacted lawns, clay soil, or high-traffic areas may need twice yearly or double-pass service.
Should I leave the cores on my lawn?
Yes. Cores break down naturally in 2-3 weeks, returning nutrients and beneficial microbes to the soil. Raking them up removes these benefits.
Can I mow right after aeration?
Wait 1-2 weeks before mowing to let the lawn recover. When you do mow, the cores will break up and disappear faster.
Is fall or spring aeration better?
Fall is optimal for cool-season grasses in Michigan. The conditions favor root growth, recovery, and (if overseeding) seed germination.
How long until I see results?
You'll notice improved water absorption immediately. Visible turf improvement typically shows within 4-6 weeks as roots exploit the new channels.
Get Your Aeration Quote
Every lawn is different. The best way to get accurate pricing for your property is to request a quote based on your specific lawn size and condition.
At Orchard Lawn Solutions, we keep our prices competitive by running efficient routes with commercial Stinger equipment that covers more ground in less time. You get professional-grade results without paying premium prices. We're not a national franchise with corporate overhead - we're local specialists who've been aerating Metro Detroit lawns for over 20 years.
We serve homeowners throughout Oakland and Wayne counties, including Troy, Rochester, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Novi, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, and surrounding communities.
Call or text (248) 226-0798 or visit our quote page for a free estimate.
Prices reflect 2026 market rates for professional aeration services in the Metro Detroit area. Actual pricing may vary based on lawn size, condition, and specific requirements.