How much does hedge trimming cost?
How much does hedge trimming cost?
$25 – $40 cost per 10’ length (up to 6' tall)
$30 – $60 cost per 10’ length (6’ – 12’ tall)
$40 – $100 cost per hour
Hedge trimming cost
Hedge trimming costs $185 to $450 on average for 50’ to 100’ long hedges. The cost to trim high hedges is $30 to $60 per 10’ length. Hedge trimming prices are $25 to $40 per 10’ length of standard hedges. Hedge cutting services charge $40 to $100 per hour.
| Hedge length | Short hedges (up to 6’) | Tall hedges (6’ – 12’) |
|---|---|---|
| 10’ | $25 – $40 | $30 – $60 |
| 25’ | $60 – $100 | $75 – $150 |
| 50’ | $125 – $200 | $150 – $300 |
| 75’ | $185 – $300 | $225 – $450 |
| 100’ | $250 – $400 | $300 – $600 |
| 150’ | $375 – $600 | $450 – $900 |
| 200’ | $500 – $800 | $600 – $1,200 |
| 250’ | $625 – $1,000 | $750 – $1,500 |
*Minimum service fees are $75 to $150.
Hedge trimming cost calculator
The following table shows the average hedge trimming cost for hedges 50’ to 100’ long:
| National average cost | $300 |
| Minimum cost | $125 |
| Maximum cost | $600 |
| Average range | $185 to $450 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost factors to trim high hedges
Cost factors for hedge pricing include:
Size – Prices increase for greater heights and quantities of hedges. Bushes more than 6 feet tall require extra tools and equipment.
Plant type – Thicker branches or harder wood species are more difficult to trim. These plants require more powerful tools and time.
Season – Lower trimming rates are available in colder climates during winter or early spring when landscaping companies have less business.
Trimming vs. pruning – Reshaping overgrown hedges doubles the costs.
Ladder work – Taller hedges that require ladders cost at least 50% more. Limited access and challenging site conditions also raise labor rates.
Debris cleanup – Hauling and dumping debris costs $35 to $100 extra on average depending on the travel distance and landfill fees.
Service frequency – Customers on annual contracts receive discounts for ongoing services.
Geographic location – States with longer growing seasons need more hedge maintenance. The crew’s travel time and local prices affect trimming rates.
Mulch mowing – Landscapers can mulch hedge debris into the grass to avoid debris-hauling and dumping fees.
Maintenance packages – Lawn care companies often have discounts for combining trimming with services like lawn mowing, mulching, or flower planting.
Bush and shrub trimming
Shrub and bush trimming costs $5 to $20 per bush on average or $40 to $75 per hour. Landscapers tend to price smaller jobs by shrub quantity and larger jobs by the hour.
Hedge removal
Hedge removal costs $40 to $150 per 5’ length, depending on the shrub type, root structure, and location. Hedge root removal costs $12 to $24 per stump extra. When quoting hedge removal, companies often count 5 feet of hedges as one shrub.
Additional hedge trimming services & prices
Common services paired with hedge trimming include:
Tree trimming costs $200 to $900 per tree.
Weed control costs $50 to $125.
The cost to fertilize a lawn is $65 to $100.
Lawn mowing costs $30 to $65.
The cost to plant flowers is $10 to $35 per pot.
The cost of seeding a lawn is $300 to $1,350.
Mulch costs $35 to $70 per yard installed.
Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour for extra labor.
DIY hedge trimmer prices
Hedge trimmers and tools cost $50 to $250 for small DIY jobs.
| Tools | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Hedge trimmer rental | $30 – $60 per day |
| Basic hand tools | $50 – $200 |
| Hedge trimmer | $50 – $250 |
| 8-foot ladder | $50 – $300 |
Tools used in hedge trimming include:
Gloves
Hedge trimmer
Safety glasses
Tarp
Bypass pruners
Garden shears
Lawn rake
Extension pole
Ladder
Hedge trimming FAQs
When to trim hedges
Trim hedges throughout the growing season at 6-to-8-week intervals so that the shrubs can recover. Heavier pruning is for late spring, early fall, or winter. Avoid pruning or trimming during the hottest months of spring and summer.
How often to trim hedges
Trim hedges 2 to 3 times per year on average, but some fast-growing hedges require trimming up to 5 times per year to keep their shape. Cutting less of the plant more often improves the health of most shrub varieties.
Does trimming a hedge make it grow thicker?
Trimming a hedge makes it grow thicker by encouraging new growth. Cutting the sides of the hedge helps them grow taller, while cutting the top makes them branch outward.
How far can you trim back hedges?
You should not trim back more than one-quarter to one-third of a hedge. Shrubs have different trimming limitations depending on their species.
Deciduous hedges benefit from annual rejuvenation pruning within a few inches of the ground.
Evergreen hedge trimming should stop before reaching the “dead zone,” or area inside the shrub without needles or leaves.
Getting hedge trimming service quotes
Before hiring a hedge trimming service near you, be sure to:
Ask for detailed estimates from 3 companies with at least 5 years of experience.
Only hire a company with a business license, insurance, and surety bonds.
Ask for certified arborists or those with landscaping or horticultural training.
Check online company reviews on Google and HomeGuide.
Ask for a list of references and photos of past projects.
Beware of low prices that signal inexperience or low quality.
Don’t give the total payment until the job is complete.
Questions to ask
Do you give free onsite estimates?
Are all crew members experienced, and how long have you been landscaping?
How do you price hedge trimming?
Do my hedges have diseases or pest infestations, and can you treat them?
Can I get discounts with an annual contract?
Will I need to be home during this job?
How much time will it take to trim my hedges?
Can you reshape my hedges?
How many people are on the crew?
Who supervises the crew, and how do I contact them?
Do you tarp or mulch clippings?
Are cleanup and disposal in the quote, or do they cost extra?
How do you handle rescheduling for bad weather?
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
Can I combine trimming with other landscaping services at the same time?
How often will my hedges need trimming?