How much it costs to rent a lawn aerator depends on what kind you rent and how long you rent it for. Read on for the full details.
How Much Does Lawn Removal Cost? [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $250 - $10,000
Find out what to budget for your lawn removal cost
How we get this data
Photo: ericcrama / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: ericcrama / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Cost Insights
The average cost for lawn removal is $1 to $3 per square foot, depending on whether you replace the existing grass with new turf.
Smaller lawns can cost between $250 and $10,000 to remove, while larger lawns can range between $11,000 and $21,800 or more.
Clearing the land will add to the cost, which can range between $500 to $5,600 per acre.
Removing old sod and replacing it will cost between $1.50 and $4 per square foot.
Renting a sod cutter for DIY lawn removal typically costs around $80 per day.
The average lawn removal cost is $1.50 per square foot. The price for this lawn task can range between $1 per square foot and $3 per square foot based on labor costs, additional land prep, and whether you replace the grass afterward. You can expect to pay $250 and $10,000 to remove between 500 and 5,000 square feet of lawn.
Grass removal alone costs $0.50 per square foot on average, while replacing the lawn with new sod can take costs up to $4 per square foot. To get an accurate estimate for your lawn removal project, consult a lawn care professional near you.
Lawn Removal Cost Factors
The type of job and yard size will have a major impact on your lawn removal costs, plus any necessary prep or cleanup. Check out the main factors that impact the cost of lawn removal.
Types
Your lawn removal cost depends on how you’ll be finishing the land: Will you leave it as is, plant new grass seeds, or lay a fresh layer of sod? Consider these average costs when planning your budget.
| Job Type | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Remove sod | $0.50–$2 |
| Remove sod and reseed lawn | $1–$3 |
| Remove sod and lay new sod | $1.50–$4 |
Size
Yard size is the biggest factor that affects your lawn removal cost. Removing only a few hundred square feet is relatively affordable, while prices for a whole acre can be costly. Likewise, adding a new lawn will add significant extra costs.
| Yard Size in Square Feet and Acreage | Average Cost (Sod Removal Only) | Average Cost (Plus Reseeding/Resodding) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $50–$200 | $100–$400 |
| 300 | $150–$600 | $300–$1,200 |
| 500 | $250–$1,000 | $500–$2,000 |
| 1,000 | $500–$2,000 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| 5,000 | $2,500–$10,000 | $5,000–$20,000 |
| 1/4 acre | $5,500–$22,000 | $11,000–$43,600 |
| 1/2 acre | $10,900–$43,600 | $21,800–$87,200 |
| 1 acre | $21,800–$87,200 | $43,600–$174,300 |
Labor
Photo: jonathansloane / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
The labor and equipment to remove a lawn will cost around $0.50 to $2 per square foot. If you’re only removing sod, labor charges will be the only cost for the entire project. However, reseeding or resodding afterwards can add another $0.50 to $2 per square foot to your lawn removal cost.
Prep
If you need to do additional land prep beforehand, this task will add to your lawn removal cost. For example, the cost to clear land is $500 to $5,600 per acre, or roughly $0.02 to $0.13 per square foot. If you need to correct a slope, the cost of leveling a yard is $1 to $2 per square foot, or up to $45,000 per acre.
Cleanup
Disposal of the old sod typically costs around $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot. Most landscapers will factor this into your total lawn removal cost, but be sure to confirm with your lawn care team ahead of the service.
Lawn Removal Ongoing Expenses
Your ongoing expenses following lawn removal will depend on what you do with the land afterward. For instance, if you plant a new lawn, you may want to consider the cost of having your lawn mowed regularly to help keep up with maintenance. On the other hand, if you’re planning a more elaborate landscape design with trees to maintain or hedges to trim, regular landscaping services cost between $1,300 and $2,100 on average.
Job Done Well
A landscaping team tackled a major yard clean-up for us, trimming trees, pruning overgrown shrubs, and removing blackberry vines. They also replaced rotten wood framing and added a gravel pad in our backyard. Despite the inclement weather, the crew worked tirelessly to transform our yard into its best state in years. The team was reliable, exhibited a strong work ethic, and offered fair prices—a job well done.
B&B Home Renovation
Seattle, Washington
Why You Should Hire a Lawn Care Pro
While you may be able to DIY lawn removal for small areas, it’s best to hire a local lawn care pro for larger spaces. Labor costs will make up the bulk of your total project cost, especially if you aren’t reseeding or installing sod, but it’s worth it to bring in the pros to ensure the job is done right.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a lawn care pro
Lawn removal can be a big job—here’s why hiring a pro is a good idea:
Pros have the equipment and experienced workers to remove your lawn properly and efficiently.
A pro can clear out all the removed material and yard waste so you aren’t stuck with the cleanup.
Lawn pros will identify and work carefully around buried utility lines.
Professionals can finish the job if your lawn needs grading or other prep after removal.
If you want to DIY lawn removal
In some cases, you may be able to DIY parts of this project—here are some things a handy homeowner can do:
Remove sod from a small area
Dig up and relocate any plants you want to keep
Remove or repurpose the yard waste
Reseed the lawn once the old sod has been removed
Install new landscaping after removal
Cost of Common Add-Ons
Photo: AleksandarNakic / E+ / Getty Images
Once you start fresh with a clean plot of land, you may want to prepare it for a new, healthy lawn or build a new structure. Here are a few common add-ons to consider for this project:
Lawn fertilization cost: $0.02–$0.08 per square feet
Lawn aeration cost: $80–$175
New sprinkler system cost: $1,700–$3,600
Mulch costs: $30–$120 per cubic yard
Soil testing costs: $20–$100
New topsoil costs: $12–$55 per cubic yard
Artificial turf costs: $2–$8 per square foot
Cost to build a deck: $30–$60 per square foot
Concrete patio cost: $1,800–$4,900
Tips to Save Money on Your Lawn Removal Cost
Lawn removal costs can get expensive, but there are a few ways to save. Follow these cost-saving tips:
Compare quotes from at least three landscaping services to find the best deal.
When choosing between sod versus seed, opt for reseeding your lawn to save money.
Instead of replacing the lawn with another grass lawn, consider low-maintenance lawn alternatives such as xeriscaping or native plants.
Consider removing your own yard waste to save on cleanup costs.
If you're replacing the lawn with a new landscape feature, such as a garden or patio, consider doing the planting or installation yourself to save on labor costs.
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Look for a pro who specializes in lawn removal.
Decide if you’re reseeding, installing sod, or changing your landscaping once the lawn is removed so you can budget appropriately.
Let the pro know roughly the size of the area being removed.
Find out a timeline for the project so you can plan accordingly.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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