Core aeration and overseeding: What should you actually pay?
By My Yard Editorial Team · 7/28/2026
The Quick Answer
Core aeration alone is $100–$250 for a typical quarter-acre lot. Aeration plus overseeding with quality seed runs $250–$600, depending on seed grade.
The Witty Breakdown
Half that price is the seed. A bag of contractor-grade seed and a bag of certified turf-type tall fescue can differ by $80 and about four years of lawn quality.
Skip 'spike' aeration entirely — punching holes without pulling cores just compacts the soil sideways.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Schedule for early fall — late August through September is the golden window.
- 2
Ask which seed cultivar they use, by name. Vague answers mean cheap seed.
- 3
Water daily for 2–3 weeks after seeding.
- 4
Skip pre-emergent that fall; it kills your new seed too.
Pro-Tip / Do Not Do This
Do not aerate a bone-dry lawn. The tines bounce, you get shallow plugs, and you paid full price for a massage.
Was this helpful?
Related Guides
Community Comments
No comments yet — be the first neighbor to weigh in.