How Much to Charge for Lawn Mowing
How Much to Charge for Lawn Mowing
How much to charge for cutting grass
Whether you're starting a lawn mowing business or just want to make sure your prices are fair, it's crucial to understand the market and cost factors. In this guide, we'll provide sample rates, cover things that can influence your prices, and help you decide how much to charge for lawn mowing to stay competitive and profitable.
The table below shows the most common fee structures used by lawn care professionals:
| Fee structure | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $40 – $80 |
| Per acre | $60 – $150 |
| Flat rate | $30 – $100* |
| Yearly subscription | $900 – $2,000 |
*For 1/8- to 1/4-acre lawns
Per hour
Most professional lawn mowers charge $40 to $80 per hour for residential services. An hourly fee model works well for jobs with uncertain scope or significant variations.
Per acre
Professional lawn mowing companies typically charge $60 to $150 per acre. Charging per acre is a good way to make sure you're fairly compensated for your labor without having to keep track of your hours.
| Yard size | Weekly | Every two weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 acre | $30 – $40 | $40 – $50 |
| 1/4 acre | $45 – $65 | $60 – $85 |
| 1/2 acre | $50 – $75 | $65 – $100 |
| 3/4 acre | $55 – $80 | $70 – $120 |
| 1 acre | $60 – $100 | $80 – $150 |
| 2 acre | $100 – $200 | $130 – $260 |
Flat rate
Some lawn mowing companies charge $30 to $100 per visit regardless of a person's yard size. Offering flat rates for specific services can simplify billing and marketing. This model is ideal for standard lawn care services with consistent time and effort requirements.
In order to retain customers, you could offer lower rates of $30 to $85 per visit for recurring services and $50 to $100 per visit for a one-time fee. However, don't undervalue yourself. Always make sure your price is competitive but still provides enough profit.
Yearly subscription
Many lawn mowing companies offer yearly subscription plans that range from $900 to $2,000 per year for the average yard or more for bigger lawns. This could include anywhere from 25 to 35 visits per season, depending on the weather, and it helps incentivize repeat customers.
If you're planning to include other services like trimming, weeding, fertilizing, overseeding, or leaf cleanup, consider charging $2,000 to $4,000 per year.
Regardless of which pricing structure you choose, you may want to set a minimum job price so you can cover basic expenses even if all your customers have smaller yards.
How to price commercial lawn care
Commercial lawn mowing rates are $50 to $150 per acre for less than 5 acres or $25 to $60 per acre for 5+ acres on average. Doing lawn care for a commercial business instead of an individual can lead to higher profits, but they often require more services than simple mowing.
| Fee structure | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rates per worker | $40 – $80 |
| Mowing cost per acre (less than 5 acres) | $50 – $150 |
| Mowing cost per acre (5+ acres) | $25 – $60 |
| Full-service lawn care per acre (monthly)* | $800 – $1,600 |
Full-service commercial lawn care normally includes the following services:
Mowing (weekly or biweekly)
Shrub and bush trimming
Tree pruning
Spring and fall cleanups
Weeding
Mulching
Gardening
Fertilizing
Aeration
Overseeding
Sod repairs
Factors that affect how much to charge for mowing lawns
Several factors influence how much you should charge for lawn mowing services. Recognizing these variables allows you to generate precise quotes for various properties and provide transparent estimates to clients.
Frequency: Most lawn mowing companies charge a lower rate for weekly visits and higher rates for bi-weekly visits.
Accessibility: You may want to charge more for lawns with features that make it harder to mow, like hills, trees, fences, gardens, or boulders.
Grass length: Many lawn care professionals charge more for mowing grass more than 6 inches tall, from $70 to $150 per visit.
Mower type: Larger riding mowers cost more initially, but they allow you to cover more ground in less time, which allows you to get more jobs done in less time.
Overhead: If you have employees, you'll pay more for their wages, taxes, and business insurance than if you work solo.
Cleanup services: If you plan on collecting and bagging grass clippings, you can charge slightly more for disposal. This takes longer and costs more but prevents the thatch from building up in the yard.
Travel expenses: Many professionals charge extra for yards outside of their normal service areas, especially when hauling large equipment.
Additional services
Many lawn mowing companies offer other yard-related services. Offering these can increase your revenue and lead to more high-value clients. Common extra services include:
| Yard maintenance type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Fertilizing | $65 – $100 per treatment |
| Aeration | $75 – $250 per visit |
| Weed control | $50 – $125 per treatment |
| Leaf removal | $150 – $350 per visit |
| Yard clean-up | $125 – $400 per visit |
| Winterizing sprinklers | $50 – $150 per visit |
| Gardening | $35 – $65 per hour |
| Lawn edging | $1 – $5 per linear foot |
| Overseeding | $0.04 – $0.18 per square foot |
| Dethatching | $100 – $300 per average lawn |
| Pest control | $100 – $600 per treatment |
| Tree trimming | $200 – $900 per tree |
| Shrub and bush trimming | $5 – $35 per bush |
| Hedge trimming | $3 – $6 per linear foot |
Calculating your profit margin
To maintain the financial health of your lawn mowing business, it's essential to understand how to calculate and aim for a strong overall profit margin. This involves identifying the total cost of running your business and then applying a reasonable markup. Use this simple formula to calculate your profit margin:
Profit Margin = (Revenue – Operating Costs) / Revenue x 100
For example, if you generate $3,000 in revenue in one month and your total operating costs amount to $2,400, you can calculate your profit margin as follows:
Profit Margin = ($3,000 – $2,400) / $3,000 x 100 = 20%
In this example, your profit margin would be 20%, which is considered a healthy margin for a lawn care business.
How to get more lawn mowing customers
You can also set yourself apart from your competition by using the following strategies:
Offer discounts to customers who give referrals.
Give incentives, free services, or gifts to loyal customers.
Use eco-friendly equipment or materials.
Offer pest control services.
Offer to install landscape lighting.
Remove snow and ice in the winter.
Lawn mowing business FAQs
What do you need to start a lawn mowing business?
To start a lawn mowing business, you'll need several physical items as well as a few strategies and non-physical requirements:
A reliable lawn mower, which can be a push mower or ride-on mower
An edger for clean edges around gardens and sidewalks
A string trimmer for trimming grass in tight spaces
A leaf blower for clearing leaves and debris
Safety gear including mowing goggles, safety earmuffs, and gardening gloves
A reliable vehicle and trailer to transport equipment
A business license, depending on local regulations
Liability and vehicle insurance to protect your business
Business registration and a federal tax ID
A marketing strategy to attract clients
An investment plan to estimate costs for equipment, insurance, and marketing
A pricing strategy based on competition, costs, and service quality
What insurance do I need for a lawn mowing business?
For a lawn mowing business with employees, you need general liability, workers' compensation, and commercial auto insurance. General liability covers property damage and injuries, while workers' compensation protects employees. Commercial auto insurance covers business vehicles.
Additional options include tools and equipment insurance, commercial property insurance, and a Business Owner's Policy (BOP). Consult an insurance agent for tailored coverage and quotes.
Do you need a business license to mow lawns?
You usually must obtain at least a general business license to mow lawns. Check with your local municipality for specific regulations. You may also need additional licenses for services like pesticide application or extensive landscaping.
Is a lawn mowing business profitable?
A lawn mowing business can be profitable with average profit margins ranging from 5% to 20% per job. Profitability depends on your pricing, how efficient you are, and how solid your client base is. Starting costs of a lawn mowing business range from $5,000 to $8,000, assuming you already have a truck.
Keep in mind running costs like equipment maintenance or replacement. A lawn mower tune-up costs $50 to $200 on average. A new riding mower costs $1,800 to $5,000+.
Tips for setting lawn mowing rates
To make sure your lawn mowing business is profitable, you'll need to account for all expenses and overhead costs. This includes labor, equipment, taxes, insurance, and travel. Follow these steps, which can help you balance profit with client satisfaction:
Research local market rates and competitor pricing in your area.
Calculate your hourly labor costs, including wages, taxes, and employee-related expenses.
Determine your material costs, such as fuel, equipment maintenance, and lawn care products.
Factor in overhead expenses like insurance, marketing, and office costs.
Decide on your desired profit margin, aiming for 15% to 20% above costs.
Consider different pricing models (hourly, per acre, or flat rate) and choose the most suitable one for your business.
Add together your labor costs, overhead costs, and profit margin to get your final pricing.
Adjust your rates based on factors like terrain complexity, accessibility, and seasonal demand.
Regularly review and update your pricing to reflect changes in costs, market conditions, and your business growth.
When to adjust your rates
Your pricing structure should be dynamic, adapting to changing market conditions, business costs, and your evolving experience level. Regular rate adjustments are essential to maintain profitability and competitiveness.
Review and potentially adjust your pricing:
At least once a year
When material or fuel costs rise substantially
As your skills and efficiency improve
Upon introducing new services or equipment
If you're consistently fully booked (possibly indicating underpricing)
If you're struggling to secure enough jobs (possibly indicating overpricing)
Remember, your expertise and service quality are valuable assets. Avoid undercharging merely to win business. A well-crafted pricing strategy can attract customers while maintaining healthy profit margins that support your business growth.
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.