How much does commercial lawn care & mowing cost?
How much does commercial lawn care & mowing cost?
$50 – $150 mowing rates per acre (less than 5 acres)
$25 – $60 mowing rates per acre (5+ acres)
$800 – $1,600 full-service lawn care cost per acre (monthly)
$40 – $80 hourly rates per worker
Commercial lawn care cost
A full-service commercial lawn care package costs $800 to $1,600 per acre monthly. Commercial mowing rates are $50 to $150 per acre for less than 5 acres and $25 to $60 per acre for 5+ acres on average. Commercial landscape maintenance prices are $40 to $80 per hour per worker.
| Charge type | 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 lawn care typically includes mowing weekly or biweekly, shrub and bush trimming, tree pruning, spring and fall cleanups, weeding, mulching, gardening, fertilizing, aeration, overseeding, sod repairs, and pest control.
Commercial mowing rates per acre
Commercial mowing rates are $50 to $150 per acre for less than 5 acres and $25 to $60 per acre for 5+ acres on average. Commercial grass cutting rates are $40 to $80 per hour per worker, depending on the equipment used.
| Acres | Weekly | Every two weeks | Every four weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $60 – $100 | $80 – $150 | $95 – $180 |
| 2 | $75 – $175 | $100 – $230 | $115 – $260 |
| 3 | $90 – $200 | $120 – $260 | $135 – $300 |
| 4 | $100 – $240 | $130 – $300 | $150 – $360 |
| 5 | $125 – $300 | $160 – $400 | $200 – $450 |
| 6 | $150 – $360 | $200 – $470 | $225 – $540 |
| 7 | $175 – $420 | $230 – $550 | $265 – $630 |
| 8 | $200 – $480 | $260 – $625 | $300 – $720 |
| 9 | $225 – $540 | $300 – $700 | $340 – $800 |
| 10 | $250 – $600 | $325 – $425 | $375 – $900 |
| 11 | $275 – $660 | $360 – $850 | $420 – $1,000 |
| 12 | $300 – $720 | $400 – $950 | $450 – $1,1,00 |
| 13 | $325 – $780 | $425 – $1,000 | $500 – $1,200 |
| 14 | $350 – $840 | $450 – $1,100 | $525 – $1,300 |
| 15 | $375 – $900 | $500 – $1,200 | $550 – $1,350 |
| 20 | $500 – $1,200 | $650 – $1,550 | $750 – $1,800 |
| 25 | $625 – $1,500 | $800 – $2,000 | $950 – $2,250 |
| 30 | $750 – $1,800 | $975 – $2,300 | $1,100 – $2,700 |
| 40 | $1,000 – $2,400 | $1,300 – $3,100 | $1,500 – $3,600 |
| 50 | $1,250 – $3,000 | $1,600 – $3,900 | $1,900 – $4,500 |
*These rates apply for ideal mowing conditions on flat ground without obstacles.
Common mowing cost factors include:
Total property size – Prices per acre decrease as the lot size increases.
Crew size – Larger crews cover more lawn area with more speed and efficiency.
Lawn edges – Grass edging costs $0.50 to $1.00 per linear foot with a bladed edger tool that cuts through grass, roots, and sod.
Terrain – Sloped areas, hard-to-reach areas, and yards with obstacles take more time. Open and flat properties have the cheapest mowing costs.
Grass type – Faster-growing grass species require more frequent mowing, and some thicker grasses take longer than average to cut.
Layout – Commercial lawns surrounded by buildings, fences, gardens, sidewalks, or hedges take more time for trimming lawn borders.
Overgrown grass – Extra overgrowth costs 1.5 to 3.0 times more to mow because it requires multiple passes over the lawn.
Commercial landscape maintenance pricing
The following table shows the average cost of commercial landscaping maintenance per acre:
| Service | Cost per acre |
|---|---|
| Aeration | $130 – $250 |
| Bush / shrub trimming (per bush) | $5 – $20 |
| Dethatching | $440 – $1,300 |
| Drip irrigation | $500 – $4,000 |
| Irrigation | $1,000 – $7,000 |
| Fertilizing | $220 – $440 |
| Forestry mulching | $400 – $800 |
| Hedge trimming (per 10’) | $25 – $60 |
| Herbicide | $15 – $100 |
| Leaf blowing | $400 – $700 |
| Mowing | $20 – $40 |
| Pest and insect control | $250 – $400 |
| Reseeding / overseeding | $1,700 – $7,800 |
| Tree trimming (per tree) | $200 – $900 |
Commercial landscaping factors include:
Treatment options – Basic mowing and cleanup is cheapest. Full-service plans cost more for mowing, fertilizing, weeding, shrub trimming, and pest control.
Number of shrubs – Labor time increases greatly with large quantities of hedges, bushes, and trees that need trimming.
Debris hauling – Brush pile removal costs $150 to $200 per pickup-truck load for hauling off hedge and tree trimmings.
Quality standards – Extra skilled-labor costs apply for high-quality finishing around resort or country club properties vs. farmland lots.
Location – Various extra lawn treatments are available specifically for local pests, weeds, and soil problems.
Condition – Poorly maintained yards with overgrown weeds and low-quality soil need more treatments over time and take longer to service.
Service frequency – Annual contracts offer cheaper rates than a one-time service. Discounts apply for combined services on a yearly contract.
Transportation – Extra fees apply for traveling outside of regular service areas.
All-natural products – Organic lawn-care products cost more than chemical herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Commercial fertilizing and weeding
The cost to fertilize a lawn is $220 to $440 per acre. Commercial herbicide application costs $15 to $100 per acre with aerial- or ground-spraying methods. Prices increase for lawns of 1 to 2 acres treated with smaller equipment.
Commercial aeration and dethatching
Commercial lawn aeration costs $130 to $250 per acre. Different rates apply for properties 3 to 4 acres or more, according to the aeration equipment type. Aeration is important for treating highly compacted soil or to prepare the soil for overseeding.
Commercial dethatching costs $440 to $1,300 per acre for removing old organic lawn debris that blocks new growth. This treatment is ideal for managing self-seeding grass.
Commercial overseeding and reseeding
The commercial cost to overseed or reseed a lawn is $1,700 to $7,800 per acre. This price includes overseeding existing lawns with uneven grass growth. Prices increase for additional soil preparation. Commercial equipment aerates the soil and spreads seeds simultaneously for best results.
Commercial leaf blowing
Commercial leaf removal costs $400 to $700 per acre on average. However, workers charge $40 to $80 hourly for sites with excessive amounts of leaves covering the lawn. Leaf blowing is typically part of a yard cleanup done in fall or spring.
Commercial bush, shrub, and hedge trimming
Commercial hedge trimming costs $25 to $60 per 10’, depending on the height. Shrub and bush trimming costs $5 to $20 per bush. Professionals advise pruning twice annually to keep public walkways clear and promote plant health.
Commercial tree trimming and pruning
Commercial tree trimming costs $200 to $900 per tree on average, depending on the height, type, and accessibility. Some tree-trimming companies charge $50 to $125 hourly. Discounts apply for pruning multiple trees close together.
For getting expert tree trimming advice, hiring an arborist costs $100 to $200 per hour.
Commercial mulching
Forestry mulching costs $400 to $800 per acre on average, depending on the brush density and machinery needed. This land-clearing method cuts trees and bushes while shredding them to leave behind a layer of mulch.
In comparison, buying mulch costs $15 to $65 per cubic yard, without installation.
Commercial pest and insect control
Commercial pest control prices are $250 to $400 per acre. Prices vary according to whether the company uses granular or spray applications. Different treatment types are necessary to target turf insects vs. flying insects and pests.
Commercial irrigation
Installing a commercial irrigation system costs $1,000 to $7,000 per acre. This system typically includes a combination of furrow, drip, and pivot irrigation. Alternatively, a drip irrigation system costs $500 to $4,000 per acre.
Common repair prices include:
Sprinkler system repair costs $100 to $400.
Sprinkler head replacement costs $65 to $90.
How to price commercial lawn care
Commercial lawn services price by the acre or a flat rate. Lawn services take their hourly rates multiplied by the estimated cutting time and add in fees for equipment wear and tear, fuel, travel, insurance, overhead, and profits to generate a quote.
How long does it take to mow 1 acre?
Commercially mowing 1 acre takes 15 to 30 minutes on average, depending on the equipment used, lawn condition, grass height, and number of obstacles. The time increases for trimming edges and blowing off sidewalks afterward.
Most commercial-size mowers are 50” to 70” wide with a maximum speed of 3 to 5 acres per hour.
Getting estimates from commercial lawn and landscaping companies
Before hiring a commercial lawn care service near you, be sure to:
Compare multiple bids from companies with 5+ years of experience.
Verify their business license, bonds, and liability insurance.
Check if your state requires a Landscaping Contractor license.
For large-scale projects, check for these credentials:
Landscape architect licensing
Landscape designer training
National Association of Landscape Professionals certification
Check for a commercial applicator license to spray fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Request copies of all itemized estimates, contracts, and warranties.
Avoid the cheapest prices that often signal poor-quality work.
Never give a total payment upfront.
Questions to ask
Do you charge for an onsite estimate?
How long have you been providing lawn care services?
Do you have a reference list and photos of your work?
Will you need extra parking space for your equipment?
What’s your minimum job price, and what does it include?
Have you studied horticulture?
Would you recommend any different plants that thrive in my soil type?
Will you show me which shrubs and weeds you’ll remove before work starts?
Can I get discounts with an ongoing lawn-maintenance plan?
How long should this job take?
Do you use chemical-based or organic fertilizers?
Will cleanup and yard-waste disposal cost more?
Does this estimate include all labor and equipment fees?
Will you use subcontractors, and how should I contact the supervisor?
When will you reschedule if it rains?
Am I in your standard service area, or do you charge extra for travel fees?