Lawn dethatching costs $65 to $165 for a typical lawn per LawnStarter and LawnLove, or $100 to $600 with an average of $180 per HomeAdvisor (most projects land $100 to $350).1,2,3 Power raking runs $10 to $20 per 1,000 square feet per HomeAdvisor.1*
$65 – $165
typical pro visit, LawnStarter / LawnLove
$180
average project, HomeAdvisor
$10 – $20
per 1,000 sq ft power raking
$50 – $85
per hour
Quick math: an 8,000 sq ft lawn at HomeAdvisor’s power-raking rate (8 x $10 – $20) is $80 to $160 – our multiplication – squarely inside the $65 to $165 flat-rate range the other two references publish. A DIY dethatching rake is about $40 to $44, so one use nearly pays for itself against a pro visit.
Published prices at a glance
Three references, all fetched and read October 2026:
| Measure | HomeAdvisor1 | LawnStarter2 | LawnLove3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical pro dethatching | $100 – $350 (wider $100 – $600, avg $180) | $65 – $165 | $65 – $160 |
| Per 1,000 sq ft | $10 – $20 (power raking) | – | – |
| Per 2,000 sq ft | $100 – $150 | – | – |
| Per square foot | – | $0.08 – $0.16 (small yards) | – |
| Hourly rate | – | $50 – $85 | $50 – $85 |
| 10,000 sq ft lawn | $100 – $200 | – | – |
| DIY manual rake | – | ~$44 | ~$40 |
| DIY power dethatcher | – | ~$140 – $160 | ~$150 |
Where they disagree: HomeAdvisor’s average ($180) and wider range sit well above LawnStarter and LawnLove’s $65 to $165 – HomeAdvisor’s project data folds in bigger properties and heavy thatch jobs, while the lawn-care specialists price the typical suburban visit. For a standard lawn, budget from LawnStarter and LawnLove; for acreage or years of neglected thatch, use HomeAdvisor.1,2,3
What pushes the price up
Lawn size: the main driver – pros price flat for common sizes or by the 1,000 sq ft, with small yards sometimes quoted per square foot at $0.08 to $0.16 per LawnStarter.2
Thatch depth: a lawn with years of buildup takes more passes and more cleanup – that is what pulls jobs toward HomeAdvisor’s $600 ceiling.1
Method: power raking is the aggressive option at $10 to $20 per 1,000 sq ft per HomeAdvisor; gentler dethatching costs less but may need repeating.1
Follow-up work: dethatching pairs naturally with aeration and overseeding – see our lawn aeration cost guide and hydroseeding cost guide for those numbers.
Three worked examples (we did the math)
| Project | Cost basis | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 sq ft, power raking | 5 x $10 – $20 per 1,000 sq ft (HomeAdvisor) – our math | $50 – $100 |
| 2-hour dethatch at hourly rates | 2 x $50 – $85 (LawnStarter / LawnLove) – our math | $100 – $170 |
| DIY weekend, small lawn | manual dethatching rake (LawnStarter / LawnLove) | $40 – $44 tool + your afternoon |
These are example projects, not quotes – lawn size, thatch depth and region set the real number. Measure the lawn with our square footage calculator.
DIY shopping: compare current dethatching rake prices at Home Depot (plain link, no affiliate relationship).
Related guides and tools
Lawn aeration cost, overseeding cost | Lawn mowing cost | Hydroseeding cost | Square footage calculator | Lawn fertilization cost | Leaf removal cost
FAQ
How much does lawn dethatching cost? $65 to $165 typical per LawnStarter and LawnLove; HomeAdvisor’s project data averages $180 with most paying $100 to $350.1,2,3
Is dethatching the same as aeration? No – dethatching rakes out the dead layer between grass and soil; aeration pulls soil plugs to relieve compaction. Lawns often need both, and many crews bundle them. See aeration costs.
Is DIY dethatching worth it? A manual rake costs $40 to $44, and a power dethatcher around $140 to $160 – versus $65 to $165 for a pro visit, so DIY pays off if you will reuse the tool or have several seasons of thatch ahead.2,3
How do I know my lawn needs dethatching? HomeAdvisor’s rule of thumb: thatch thicker than about half an inch starts blocking water and nutrients – dig a small wedge and measure the spongy brown layer.1
Sources
- HomeAdvisor – Cost to Dethatch a Lawn
- LawnStarter – Lawn Dethatching Cost
- LawnLove – Lawn Dethatching Cost
*Prices are 2025-2026 national averages from the cited sources and vary by lawn size, thatch depth and region. Get at least three itemized quotes.