How much do you charge to Aerate???

[twins_lawn_care]

We are just starting out this year, and want to plan on aerating in the fall to earn some money for better equipment next year. We were wondering about how much is an average price for this service?
Say for a 1/4 acre residential?
1/3 acre
1/4 acre

Or do you guys just charge by the hour?
Just want to get an idea on what to quote, as this seems like it will be a great way to supplement our cash flow.
Thanks again everyone,

TWINS Lawn Care :D

[twins_lawn_care]

sorry, meant 1/4 acre, 1/3, and 1/2.
we are mainly on small props. right now.
Thanks again

[Lombardi]

$13/1000

[lawncare3]

Not enough. Getting $30 for 2ksf that's because the scrubs set it that low.

[Lombardi]

Lawncare, please enlighten us with your rate. Being that you are 16, I am sure you have years of experience aerating lawns. $13/1000 is the average rate for my area. If there was such a thing as a 2k yard here, I would get $26 for about 15 minutes of work.

[rodfather]

Depends on the size of the prop, but around 10 - 12 per K sq/ft.

[GLAN]

Yeah, that's about the ball park.

[General Grounds]

:blob3: goin rate around here is like .10 per square foot, w/o seed, and .15 w/ seed

[azturfpro]

We charge about $9.00 per thousand for small jobs . On acre plus jobs it goes down to around $7.00 . We can do a acre a hour and sometimes more . Min charge is $200.00 .

[KLM N.C.]

sounds like the going rate,I've always heard.Are you going 1 or 2 passes?

[Runner]

Originally posted by General Grounds
:blob3: goin rate around here is like .10 per square foot, w/o seed, and .15 w/ seed

Do you mean to tell me that the going rate near you is $100.00 per 1000 sq. ft.??? That would be around $2000.00 for an average subdivision half-acre. We come in at around $13. to $15. per M. There is a 4M minimum, though.

[mtdman]

I get about $10 per 1000 on average. The big fertilizer companies charge about double my rate.

[General Grounds]

:blob3: this is true, i have near 60 booked already and another 40 estimates sent out already, aeration is very good for us. talked to a LCO tonight at the coffee shop and they get .15 w/o seed and .22 w/, i thought we were a little high.

[Lombardi]

GG, I think you are incorrect in your calculations. I know the cost of living is higher out there, but not that high. Some others from NJ and other eastern states have posted that $10-$12/k sq.ft. is the norm, not $100/k sq. ft. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that is a huge difference in price for people in the same state.

[General Grounds]

:blob3: lombardi, would be happy to fax you some of our signed contracts for aeration, been doin 10 years now and im pretty sure my numbers are right. tony

[Runner]

So, for the price of one subdivision sized aeration job, you can go out buy a nice, brand new aerator? Hmm, it seems like everyone with a lawn would own one. That would be like paying for a lawnmower with one cut. - Just seems strange to me...but, whatever the road will bare, I guess.
Actually, where is this, exactly? I'll come down there for a weekend and bring my stuff. Man, set myself up with 2 - one acre jobs, and I've made $8000. minus a bit of driving expense, but hey, I'LL drive down there for an 8 to 10,000 weekend!

[General Grounds]

:blob3: lombardi, dont mean to sound like a D**K but aeration is the one thing everyone out here charges top $ for and gets it, out of all my friends how are in the bus. im one of the cheaper ones, they tell me to up the cost. you also have to keep in mind we also work in an area where these people do not do "anything" for themselves, if anyone else is formiliar w/ my area they'll agree. tony

[General Grounds]

:blob3: runner, be happy to put you up for later this month and early sept. ;) tony could use the help esp with the seedin

[Runner]

Sounds good! A $10,000 weekend? OH yeah!
:blob4:

[General Grounds]

:blob3: food for thought, sent 1 guy out today to do a 12,000 sq ft aeration only today, a little over 2 hours, very good day for 1 guy, 1 job. tony

[General Grounds]

:blob3: runner my houseing cost is 60%,of your gross for the month;)

[Runner]

lol Even THEN I'd make a killing! Then again, there is always motels! ;)

[Runner]

So, this one guy grossed $1200. in 2 hours today? I could go for that. We could put together two (five day) weeks of aerating, and live comfortably without having to work the rest of the year. Man, I'm in the wrong business, - in the wroooong area. I would be UPSELLING aeration all year long at a lesser rate, just to ensure that I would have the work!

[KirbysLawn]

Originally posted by General Grounds
:blob3: runner my houseing cost is 60%,of your gross for the month;)

Hummm, wonder how you would know?

Anyway, if you are getting $150 per 1000 sf to aerate a lawn I highly suggest you make yourself easier to find. Reading this made me compelled to search your home town for both your business and the going rate for the aeration service, neither were found. I'm a small fry and I am easily found first on a search of Union NC aeration services.

I am like the rest, I simply find it hard to find it possible that you could make $1800 doing a 2 hour aeration/seed job with less than $150 in expenses for the job. People that have that kind of money didn't get it by wasting it like that. I would also think in a market that was profiting $800 an hour there would be more lawn services in your area than what is there.

As for the question at hand I get $12 per k for aeration and $24 for aeration and seeding. Aeravation goes for $35-$45 per k, and soil blowing $92 per k. A search would reveal much information on this subject: http://www.lawnsite.com/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=133088&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

[GarPA]

taking the highs and lows, an avg rate in my area is around $14 per 1000ft....aeration only. Can't give you a number for a large property since we dont have a tow behind aerator.

[twins_lawn_care]

Thanks for all the responses guys. This site really has taught me a lot so far, and I look forward to using it more in the future.
Keep the thoughts coming.
Remember, the question was how much are you chargin for aerating lawns? :D

Thanks,
TWINS Lawn Care

[General Grounds]

:blob3: Thanks Twins LC, the ? was asked and i answered, i never advertise, BUT only put out and ad in august and sept. because we do so well with the aeration and seeding. remember im on the low end in my area im very happy makin what we charge for that service. tony


runner, im always lookin for add'l aerators your would be a hugh help. ;)

[lawncare3]

Originally posted by Lombardi
Lawncare, please enlighten us with your rate. Being that you are 16, I am sure you have years of experience aerating lawns. $13/1000 is the average rate for my area. If there was such a thing as a 2k yard here, I would get $26 for about 15 minutes of work.

So, I'm correct?

[twins_lawn_care]

Getting real close to the time guys, and I would appreciate any help in estimating.
I am looking at around $10 per 1000 sq. ft. on average right now.

When you guys price a job, do you include the entire property, or only the grassed areas?

I would think only the grassed areas, since this is where I'll do the work, but just wanted to clarify.

All Advice welcome! Thanks :blob4:

[Scraper]

It is amazing how many people talk out of their rear ends around here. There is no way in h e l l that GG is getting that and if anyone believes him including himself they need to think about it some more. I don't care if he was from the Hamptons. Here in the Philly Burbs...high end $1 million homes and my prices are in line with Kirby's.

P.S. GG...are you sure you have the decimal point in the proper place and aren't needing another 0? I am sure Chemlawn is in your area and they also do aerations. For much less...why would someone pay your price for something as simple as aeration? Let alone go rent one for $75. I don't care if they are lazy yuppies or not. You've been talking to Bobby too much. LOL

[bobbygedd]

$100 per thousand? so, my average properties are 4k, i should be getting $400 a yard to aerate? no way, not even for me. but $10-$12 per k is way too cheap, if the prop is 4 k, im gonna show up and aerate for $48? not a chance, im gettin $30-$35 to mow these properties. damn though general, manalapin is only 15 min from me, if i come out there and advertise for $75 per, id still be in.

[GarPA]

Scraper...re: Chemlawn here in my area of PA...they are in fact, higher for aeration than most of us small fries. The bids I have seen from them average at least $20 per 1000 sq fr. Some are more in fact.

Aeration is going to be a tougher sell this fall for those of us living in the monsoon areas this spring and summer...a number of last year aeration customers have already told me "I think we'll skip aeration this year 'cause the grass looks so green and healthy"....at that point I launch into my brief spiel about the fact that green grass is not indicative of a healthy turf. They look at me like I'm nuts....so I just drop it. Next week I'm sending out a fall letter to all prior and existing customers explaining how important fall aeration is....we'll see what happens but I don't expect a rash of calls. I find aeration to be a tough item to sell in our area....for whatever reason....so I'm going to try and educate them and see if that works

[rodfather]

Originally posted by GarPA
...a number of last year aeration customers have already told me "I think we'll skip aeration this year 'cause the grass looks so green and healthy"....at that point I launch into my brief spiel about the fact that green grass is not indicative of a healthy turf.


At that point Gar launch into your spiel the reason the grass looks so green and healthy is because it's aerated yearly. Actually, I think this year it will be an easier sell because you can point out across the lawn and say, "would you like it to continue looking like this next year too?"

[GarPA]

Good point Rod....you cagey little devil...

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

My rule of thumb for aerating is the price for one mowing times 3 or 4, depending on terrain.

[GLAN]

Rodfather got's the answer

and what about

Sure the grass looks good. All the rain

What about the compaction of the soil due to all the rain. All that water colapsed the air pockets that are so very vital for a healthy turf. Grass roots need to breath. And with all this wet and compacted soil we had better get the roots stimulated and growing deep again before winter.

[GLAN]

Fellas

You have to be able to communicate with your customers. You are always selling, everytime you talking with them you have got to be selling. You also have to believe in what is you're selling and why your selling it.

Anytime a customers says we don't need it, or will be skipping it his year. You have to turn it around and make them believe they need it. Cause you know it is needed and from doing so is why you are getting the results you do.

Never jeapordize what gets you results. You own an aerator. It should be SOP that it gets done at least once a year and your being paid for it.

[twins_lawn_care]

Thanks for the replies everyone. GLAN, you have a lot of good advice, and I appreciate it. We have been realizing exactly what you said in the past few weeks. Extra work has slowed a lilttle for us, so everytime we've been mowing, we have suggested a few things to our customers they may think about doing, and almost all of them want at least an estimate.
Gotta sell them the best lawn, that is what they want.
Aeration prices....Keep 'em comin'! :D

[lawnMaster5000]

I usualy charge between 3 and 4 times the weekly mowing rate.

I know you are all saying - whats the mowing rate - but its different for all areas, so maybe you can use this rule?

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Originally posted by lawnMaster5000
I usualy charge between 3 and 4 times the weekly mowing rate.

I know you are all saying - whats the mowing rate - but its different for all areas, so maybe you can use this rule? Makes sense!!! Just wondering if you read my post 4 posts before yours????

[MCGRAIL LAWN]

Currently I am a part time worker and a part time student in college.

I just passed out flyers for $30.00 Aeration for almost any lawn.
I passed them out to houses with up to 10k.

Hoping to get some business that keeps coming back.
And hopefully I can do all these customers in the early spring next year also (Generate some extra $$$$ when I normaly sit of my a**)

[GarPA]

$30 ?? You must be trying to get a reaction out of us.

If you are a student, and a part time land worker, I doubt you own an aeration machine. If thats true, $30 wont even cover the rental cost. Then theres the time to pick it up and return it.

[Mike Bradbury]

you are going to regret (quickly) charging $30 for a 10k lawn!

[KirbysLawn]

Originally posted by MCGRAIL LAWN
Hoping to get some business that keeps coming back.

You will be hoping they don't come back after doing 10k lawns for $30


Originally posted by MCGRAIL LAWN
(Generate some extra $$$$ when I normaly sit of my a**)

You will not have an a** left if many people take you up on your offer, heck if you lived near me I could sub you out and still make good $$$...sorry dude but this will be a life learning lession...you are doing for $30 what many people get $120 for doing.

[work_it]

Originally posted by General Grounds
:blob3: goin rate around here is like .10 per square foot, w/o seed, and .15 w/ seed

I have to question this also. I have a property that's 4 acres which means you would charge him $26,136.00 to aerate and seed. WOW! Don't think you'll get that one, but may get a good laugh.

[work_it]

My question is, "What would most of you charge to aerate and seed 4 acres?" Take into consideration bad soil conditions on about 2 acres and the other 2 acres is on a 8 to 10 degree slope. Don't want to know your average price/K; just a round about bottom line $ amount. Thanks!

[sigmapibama]

General Grounds, how much do you actually get for the job? Not per ft or Mft. What is the dollar amount customers write the check for? I normally charge anywhere from $50 to $300 for small yards. Working cheap does not pay because it is easy to damage underground irrigation and wiring.

[David Haggerty]

Originally posted by work_it
My question is, "What would most of you charge to aerate and seed 4 acres?"

$215/acre for multiple acres. Two passes, no seed or fert.
This price is for my full service customers only. Just so they'll have it done. Double that price for others.

Tractor mounted aerator.

[work_it]

Thanks David, that helps a lot.

[DLS1]

Originally posted by General Grounds
:blob3: lombardi, would be happy to fax you some of our signed contracts for aeration, been doin 10 years now and im pretty sure my numbers are right. tony

Hey GG how about scanning a signed contract and emailing it to me. I don't do aeration unless it pays as well as you get but I am real curious to see the signed contract.

[lawnMaster5000]

LAWNS and MOWER,

I dont know how, but i did not read your posts before mine, or maybe I was just half asleep when i was reading.

[Team Gopher]

Here are some more threads for further research.

power rake and aerate prices? (http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40840)

need help aeration price (http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42313)

Aeration prices for LARGER lawns 3/4 to 2+acres? (http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51572)

Aerating lawns (http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42956)

[Hole in 1]

I charge 40 for the first 1000 and 20 for each additional 1000.
My buddy in San Diego that got me started in this business gets 25 for the first 1000 and 15 for each additional, but he has alot more competition then I do. I will discount a bit on larger jobs.

[Hole in 1]

Originally posted by work_it
My question is, "What would most of you charge to aerate and seed 4 acres?" Take into consideration bad soil conditions on about 2 acres and the other 2 acres is on a 8 to 10 degree slope. Don't want to know your average price/K; just a round about bottom line $ amount. Thanks!

I would charge 3000 aeration only, BUT I've never done a 4 acre job! I have a few 2 acre accounts, a bunch of 1 acre accounts.
My average account is around 4000 sq/ft