Aerating help

[Classic Lawn]

I have never aerated a lawn before and have a few people that want it done. I was just wondering if there is anyway you could ruin the lawn or is it fairly easy to do. I was also wondering how u charge for it i have two lots one in 3/4 of an acer and the other is just under a 1/2. both have hilly terrain and have easy access and if i would be able to use my zero with the bagger to pick up the thatch thanks for the help.

[Steve9]

I rented from Home depot a brand new machine to do mine. Worked awesome. Prepare for a workout. It will kick your a@@.
I charge 3X whatever i mow for. Seems to work out about right for me. If your customers think thats to high, let them wrestle that bad boy. payup

[Classic Lawn]

i went to the local rental place they have one that you can ride on. i was thinking of charging them by the man hour what dose anyone think about this

[plateau lawn care]

If you are going to pull an aerater behind a mower go for it if you are going to rent a walk behind aerator dont bother with it not worth all the work especially on a hill and that big of a lot you will work yourself to death with a walk behind aerator.

[Steve9]

OOOps..Forgot to say you have to have them turn on sprinklers so you can mark the heads for obvious reasons.
You have to mow anything, let alone bag it. It may clean it up a little but totally unneccessary to bag!

BTW: You dont have to pick up the plugs either. I did have my neighbor convinced i put a Gypsum pellet in each hole them replaced the plug! HA HAAH :dizzy:

[Classic Lawn]

OOPS i just noticed that i put aerating it should be thatching help sorry about that guys

[theturfsurfer]

There is good money to be earned aerating. I charge 4 to 5 times what I charge for mowing. It can be hard work but it isn't that bad. I used to use a walk behind aerator and do around 10 1/2 acre lawns a day.

[SodKing]

Drive the dethatcher straight and you shouldn't have a problem. Set the tines about 1/4 inch into the ground and lift in the corners. Mark the sprinkler heads before you start.

Good luck.

[Classic Lawn]

Thanks for the help guys dose anyone have any opinions on charging by the man hour

[yrdandgardenhandyman]

Thanks for the help guys dose anyone have any opinions on charging by the man hour


I think it depends on if you use a front mount dethatcher or a rear.




#193 7 to go to be a reg. :p

[sildoc]

Thanks for the help guys dose anyone have any opinions on charging by the man hour
That all depends on your hourly rate. Aeration and leaving the cores is one thing. Dethatching is another. You not only have to rent (if you do not own one) and pick it up and return it. But you also have to rake up all the crap that it leaves. On 5000 sq ft you can expect at least 1.5 hours of clean up for one person. multiply the time by roughly .65 for a second person. For roughly every 5000 sqft you should know it will take you on average 2.5-3 hours to do. I charge roughly .05 per sq ft averaged or in the area of 250 for 5000 sq ft. that is with removal of the thatch. I charge .028 per sq ft for just dethatching no removal. Min of 100. on both. I own my own dethatcher so if you have to rent you might want to change it up a bit to cover those costs.