Basic
$65 – $163 per project
Single pass with a core aerator across open lawn, plugs left to break down, sprinkler heads avoided
Photo: Tdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
How Much Does Lawn Aeration Cost in Des Moines, Iowa?
One core-aeration visit for a typical suburban lawn (about 5,000 sq ft to 1/4 acre); overseeding and fertilizer extra.
Lawn Aeration in Des Moines, Iowa typically costs $77 to $192 per project as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Lawn Aeration in Des Moines, Iowa
$77 – $192
per projectPrices in Des Moines are 3.0% lower than the national average for lawn aeration.
National average: $80 – $200 per project
What you get at each price level
Standard
$77 – $192 per project
Core aeration in a full pass plus extra passes on compacted spots, sprinkler heads flagged, plugs left
Premium
$96 – $240 per project
Double-pass core aeration in crossing directions, sprinkler heads flagged, walks blown clean, plugs left to break down
Cost Breakdown in Des Moines
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $34 – $85 | job |
| Labor | labor | $28 – $70 | job |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $9.02 – $23 | job |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $6.02 – $15 | job |
Prices adjusted for Des Moines local market conditions.
Lawn Aeration photo examples
Soil core plug pulled by a lawn aerator lying in grass beside its hole
Photo: Guipozjim · CC BY 3.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisLawn surface covered in rows of aeration holes and soil plugs
Photo: Tdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisGas-powered walk-behind core aerator on a lawn
Photo: Guipozjim · CC BY 3.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisGrass with fresh aeration holes and extracted soil cores
Photo: Guipozjim · CC BY 3.0 · Source
Find a pro to do this
Cost Factors in Des Moines, Iowa
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($36.00-$90.00 per project)
- Labor ($28.00-$70.00 per project)
- Supplies & Other ($9.60-$24.00 per project)
- Equipment & Disposal ($6.40-$16.00 per project)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs6.0% below avg
Labor costsAt national average
Labor costs in Des Moines run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Lawn Aeration Cost 2026 | LawnGuru, LawnGuru, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
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