How much does lawn care cost?
How much does lawn care cost?
$40 – $80 hourly rate for yard work
$30 – $85 cost to mow a lawn (⅛ – ¼ acre)
$100 – $400 full-service lawn care monthly cost (⅛ – ¼ acre)
Lawn care service cost
Lawn care hourly rates are $40 to $80 for yard work. Lawn mowing charges per visit are $30 to $85 for a ⅛ to ¼ acre yard or $60 to $150 per acre, depending on the frequency. Full-service lawn care costs $100 to $400 per month for ⅛ to ¼ acre or $800 to $1,600 per acre monthly.
| Yard size | Mowing cost (per service) | Full-service cost (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 acre | $30 – $40 | $100 – $200 |
| 1/4 acre | $45 – $85 | $200 – $400 |
| 1/2 acre | $50 – $100 | $400 – $800 |
| 1 acre | $60 – $150 | $800 – $1,600 |
| 2 acres | $100 – $260 | $1,600 – $3,200 |
*Pricing for regular, recurring services. One-time services cost 50% to 100% more. The average lawn is 1/4 acre or 10,890 SF.
Average cost of lawn care service
The following table shows the cost of regular lawn care based on an average ⅛ to ¼ acre lawn:
| Charge type | Lawn mowing cost | Full-service lawn care cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rates | $40 – $80 | $40 – $80 |
| Weekly service | $30 – $85 | $65 – $100 |
| Monthly service (2 mows) | $90 – $200 | $100 – $400 |
| Annual service cost (10 months) | $900 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
Lawn care pricing chart
The following table shows lawn care pricing by project:
| Yard service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Artificial turf installation | $6 – $20 per square foot |
| Composting | $75 – $225 per cubic yard |
| Drip irrigation system installation | $300 – $1,200 |
| Flower bed installation | $1,200 – $4,000 |
| Flower planting | $10 – $30 per pot |
| Gardening | $35 – $65 per hour |
| Gutter cleaning | $100 – $250 |
| Hedge trimming | $30 – $60 per 10’ length |
| Hydroseeding | $500 – $1,600 |
| Lawn aeration | $75 – $250 |
| Lawn dethatching | $75 – $300 |
| Lawn fertilizing | $65 – $100 |
| Lawn mowing | $30 – $85 per recurring visit |
| Lawn replacement or restoration | $1 – $3 per square foot |
| Leaf removal | $100 – $300 per visit |
| Mulching | $35 – $70 per cubic yard |
| Overseeding / reseeding | $0.04 – $0.18 per square foot |
| Pest and insect control | $250 – $400 per treatment |
| Shrub and bush trimming | $5 – $20 per shrub |
| Snow removal | $30 – $70 per visit |
| Sod installation | $1 – $2 per square foot |
| Sprinkler system installation | $1,800 – $5,200 |
| Sprinkler system repair | $75 – $250 minimum |
| Sprinkler system winterizing | $50 – $150 per visit |
| Tree planting | $200 – $700 per tree |
| Tree transplanting | $300 – $700 per tree |
| Tree trimming | $200 – $900 per tree |
| Watering plants | $35 – $65 per hour |
| Weeding | $50 – $125 |
| Yard cleanup | $125 – $400 per visit |
*Lawn prices based on an average ¼ acre lawn.
Lawn mowing service
Lawn mowing costs $30 to $85 per service visit on average and typically includes weed eating. Lawn cutting services charge $70 to $150 per visit for overgrown grass. Discounts apply for regular service contracts.
| Yard size | Weekly | Every two weeks | Every four weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 acre | $30 – $40 | $40 – $50 | $50 – $60 |
| 1/4 acre | $45 – $65 | $60 – $85 | $70 – $100 |
| 1/2 acre | $50 – $75 | $65 – $100 | $80 – $120 |
| 1 acre | $60 – $100 | $80 – $150 | $95 – $180 |
Lawn aeration
Lawn aeration costs $75 to $250 on average. Aeration promotes faster lawn growth, relieves soil compaction, and improves soil drainage. Professionals recommend aeration every 1 to 3 years.
Lawn fertilizing & weeding treatment
The cost to fertilize a lawn is $65 to $100 on average. Lawn fertilizing is most important in spring and fall. Lawn specialists should test the soil first to determine which fertilizer to use.
Weed control costs $50 to $125 per herbicide treatment or $50 to $100 hourly for pulling weeds by hand. Some companies offer weed prevention in a weed-and-feed fertilizer mix to save money.
Leaf removal & yard cleanup
Leaf removal costs $100 to $300 per visit on average, including debris removal. Removing leaves from the roof with gutter cleaning costs $100 to $250 extra.
Yard cleanup costs $125 to $400 and typically includes lawn mowing, clearing driveways and walkways, debris and leaf removal, basic weeding, and cutting back perennials.
Lawn dethatching service
Lawn dethatching costs $75 to $300 on average or $50 to $85 hourly. Dethatching removes the thick layer of dead grass above new grass roots and improves soil health.
Lawn reseeding service
The cost to overseed or reseed a lawn is $300 to $1,350 on average or $0.04 to $0.18 per square foot. In comparison, hydroseeding costs $0.07 to $0.22 per square foot, but only works on bare dirt.
Mulching
Mulch costs $35 to $70 per cubic yard installed (100 SF at 3" deep). Thicker layers of mulch are best for lawn paths or as a weed barrier around trees and shrubs. A thin layer of mulch spread on top of grass seeds speeds up new growth.
Gardening and watering plants
Hiring a gardener costs $75 to $250 per service on average. A gardener charges $35 to $65 per hour for watering plants and $75 to $400 per month for ongoing services.
Lawn winterizing & snow removal
Winterizing a sprinkler system costs $50 to $150 for 6 to 12 zones plus $5 to $10 for each extra zone.
Applying fertilizer 3 to 4 weeks before the first frost nourishes roots for faster growth in spring.
Snow removal costs $30 to $70 per hour or per visit. Snow removal contract prices are $200 to $600 per season.
Christmas light installation costs $240 to $650 on average.
Sod or turf installation
Sod installation costs $1 to $2 per square foot on average. Sod prices are $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot for the turf alone. Some yards require grading, new soil, and fertilizing before resodding.
Alternatively, artificial turf costs $6 to $17 per square foot installed and lasts 15 to 25 years without maintenance.
Lawn replacement
Lawn replacement costs $1 to $3 per square foot on average. This price includes removing old sod, adding new topsoil, and spreading seeds with fertilizer or installing sod. Extra fees apply for covering new grass seeds with straw or mulch.
Tree and bush trimming
Tree trimming costs $200 to $900 per tree.
Shrub and bush trimming costs $5 to $20 per plant at heights from 2’ to 6’ tall.
Hedge trimming costs $185 to $450 on average or $25 to $60 per 10’ length of hedges.
Sprinkler system install or repair
Sprinkler system installation costs $1,800 to $5,200 on average or $500 to $1,000 per zone.
Installing a drip irrigation system costs $300 to $1,200 per zone. Most homes typically have 3 to 5 sprinkler zones.
Sprinkler repair costs $100 to $400 per visit.
A sprinkler head replacement costs $65 to $90 minimum.
Landscaping maintenance
Landscape maintenance costs $100 to $200 per month on average. This price range includes basic grass cutting, blower cleanup, and minimal trimming.
Additional service costs:
Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour.
Landscaping rock prices are $45 to $130 per ton.
Tree planting costs $200 to $700 per tree installed.
Compost costs $75 to $225 per cubic yard installed.
Flower bed installation costs $1,200 to $4,000 total for a 5’x12’ raised bed.
Landscaper charges to plant shrubs are $25 to $85 each.
Planting flowers costs $10 to $30 per pot.
Pest control prices are $80 to $120 per visit or $400 to $1,000 annually, depending on the size of the infestation and location.
How lawn care companies charge for yard work
Lawn care companies charge per hour, week, month, year, or per acre. Most lawn services offer basic yard maintenance plans or full-service lawn care:
Yard maintenance plans typically include weekly or biweekly mowing, and trimming, pruning, yard cleanup, and weed control when required.
Full-service lawn care typically includes everything in the maintenance plan plus gardening, mulching, fertilizing, aeration, overseeding, spring and fall cleanups, shrub trimming, sod repairs, and pest control.
Lawn care hourly rates
Lawn care hourly rates are $40 to $80 per hour for yard work for each crew member, depending on the service, location, and equipment needed. Most contractors have a 1-hour minimum service fee. Workers also bill hourly for travel time over long distances.
Weekly lawn care cost
Lawn care costs $30 to $65 per week for mowing or $65 to $100 per week for full service on a ¼ acre yard, depending on the maintenance needed. Most weekly and biweekly plans include mowing and basic maintenance.
Lawn care cost per month
Lawn care costs $90 to $200 per month for 2 to 3 mows or $200 to $400 per month for full service on a ¼ acre yard, depending on services included.
Annual lawn maintenance cost
Annual lawn maintenance costs $900 to $4,000 per year for a ¼ acre yard, depending on the services included. Lawn care professionals work 8 to 12 months out of the year, depending on the climate. Discounted rates are available with annual contracts and prepayments.
Lawn care cost per acre
Basic lawn care costs $60 to $150 per acre per service for mowing. Full-service lawn care costs $800 to $1,600 per acre monthly and includes weekly mowing plus aeration, fertilizing, weeding, and overseeding according to the season.
| Yard size | Mowing cost (per service) | Full-service cost (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 acre | $60 – $150 | $800 – $1,600 |
| 2 acres | $100 – $260 | $1,600 – $3,200 |
| 3 acres | $125 – $390 | $2,400 – $4,800 |
| 4 acres | $150 – $520 | $3,200 – $6,400 |
| 5 acres | $200 – $590 | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| 10 acres | $350 – $1,000 | $8,000 – $16,000 |
Yard and lawn maintenance cost factors
Yard and lawn maintenance cost factors include:
Lawn size – Large yards require more services with greater labor costs.
Lawn edging – Grass edging costs $0.50 to $1.00 per linear foot and is typically included with lawn mowing.
Lawn services – Most contractors offer discounts for combined services beyond basic mowing.
Yard condition – Rarely maintained lawns with low-quality soil need more treatments over a longer time to improve.
Location – Different lawn treatments are available in each region for treating specific pests, weeds, and soil problems.
Grass type & length – Some grasses grow faster and need more frequent mowing. Extra fees apply for mowing overgrown lawns.
Labor – Labor rates depend on locality, crew size, and experience.
Transportation – Travel fees apply for yards outside of regular service areas.
Season – Rates may increase at busy times of the year or decrease in winter.
Accessibility – Yards with obstacles take more time to work around.
Service frequency – Yearly contracts offer cheaper rates than a single service.
Pre-paid plans – Discounts of 3% to 10% often apply when booking a year of lawn care upfront.
All-natural treatments – Organic lawn-care products cost more than chemical-based herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Residential vs. commercial – Residential yard maintenance costs more per acre than it does for commercial-size properties.
Lawn care packages & prices by brand
Lawn care packages cost $50 to $225 per treatment and include, fertilizing, weeding, aeration, overseeding, and tree and shrub care.
Lawn Doctor prices are $50 to $100 per treatment.
TruGreen costs $65 to $225 per application.
| Company | Average cost per treatment |
|---|---|
| Lawn Doctor | $50 – $100 |
| TruGreen | $65 – $225 |
*Prices increase for lawns larger than 10,000 square feet.
Lawn care prices by location
The following table shows monthly lawn care prices by location:
| Location | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $110 – $450 |
| Austin, TX | $110 – $450 |
| Boston, MA | $135 – $550 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $100 – $425 |
| Chicago, IL | $115 – $450 |
| Cleveland, OH | $100 – $410 |
| Columbus, OH | $100 – $420 |
| Dallas, TX | $100 – $425 |
| Denver, CO | $110 – $430 |
| Detroit, MI | $110 – $430 |
| Honolulu, HI | $120 – $500 |
| Houston, TX | $125 – $500 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $100 – $415 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $100 – $415 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $110 – $430 |
| Miami, FL | $100 – $400 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $115 – $450 |
| Nashville, TN | $100 – $400 |
| New York, NY | $130 – $525 |
| Newark, NJ | $110 – $450 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $110 – $450 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $100 – $400 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $100 – $425 |
| Portland, OR | $110 – $440 |
| San Diego, CA | $110 – $430 |
| San Francisco, CA | $125 – $500 |
| Seattle, WA | $110 – $450 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $100 – $400 |
| Washington, DC | $110 – $450 |
Commercial lawn care cost
Full-service commercial lawn care costs $800 to $1,600 per acre monthly. Commercial grass cutting rates are $25 to $150 per acre, depending on the property size. Costs increase for clearing rocks or other debris before mowing.
DIY vs. professional lawn care cost
Lawn mower prices are $100 to $500 for a push mower or $1,800 to $5,000 for a riding mower. While DIY lawn care is cheaper in the long term for most services, hiring lawn care professionals saves time and reduces upfront costs.
| Lawn service | DIY material cost | Professional service cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mowing | $100 – $5,000 to buy a mower | $900 – $2,000 annual contract for weekly mowing |
| Fertilizing | $40 – $80 per lawn | $65 – $100 per treatment |
| Weed control | $15 – $40 per quart | $50 – $125 per treatment |
| Hedge trimming | $50 – $250 in tools | $25 – $60 to trim a 10’ length of hedges up to 12’ tall |
*Based on a 5,000 to 10,000 SF lawn.
Lawn care FAQs
Are lawn care services worth it?
Lawn care services are worth it because they:
Save time mowing and maintaining the yard.
Provide discounted fertilizing, overseeding, and weed and pest control.
Give customized advice on treating lawn problems.
Do you tip for lawn service?
Tipping is optional, but you can tip $10 to $25 per person if the work exceeds expectations. Many people give tips during the holiday season.
How often do I need lawn care?
You need lawn care like mowing every 1 to 2 weeks in the peak growing season. Additional yard maintenance is necessary every 2 to 4 weeks.
When does lawn care season start?
Lawn care season starts when the grass grows longer than 2.5” to 3.5” and temperatures stay above 45°F to 50°F. These conditions appear in March or April for the Northern and Midwestern U.S. Some Southern states require all-season lawn care.
Getting estimates from lawn care services
Before hiring a landscaping company or lawn care service near you, be sure to:
Evaluate several bids from companies with many 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 credentials like:
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.
Keep copies of all itemized estimates and contracts.
Avoid the cheapest prices that often result in poor-quality work.
Never give a total payment upfront.
Questions to ask
Can I get a free estimate onsite?
How long have you been in business?
Can I see your reference list and photos of your work?
What’s your minimum job price, and what’s included?
Have you studied horticulture?
Which plants thrive in my soil type?
How many weeds do you need to remove?
Can I get discounts with an ongoing 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 bid include all materials, labor, and equipment fees?
Do you use subcontractors, and how should I contact their manager?
When will you reschedule in case of bad weather?