Lawn mowing costs $30 to $85 for a 1/8- to 1/4-acre yard or $40 to $80 per hour for regular service. A one-time mow or cutting an overgrown lawn costs $70 to $150.

Annual lawn mowing packages cost $900 to $2,000 per year for a 1/4-acre yard. An annual mowing package includes at least 25 to 35 visits per season, depending on the climate and your yard's condition. Costs per visit are typiclaly cheaper with a yearly contract than weekly, monthly, or one-time service rates.

Lawn services typically include some or all of the following:

• Lawn mowing
• Edging
• Leaf blowing
• Hedge trimming
• Weeding & mulching flower beds

Many lawn mowing companies offer these additional services for an extra fee:

• Spring/fall cleanups
• Flower planting
• Fertilizing
• Lawn aeration
• Lawn dethatching
• Overseeding

Hiring a lawn mowing company saves you time, saves money on equipment and maintenance, and improves your home's curb appeal. A lawn service pro is also more likely to spot potential problems with your lawn before they become major issues.

You should cut your grass weekly or biweekly during peak growing season. However, you should never remove more than one third of the of the total grass blade height in a single cutting as this can damage your lawn and hinder the grass growth.

Ask your professional lawn mowing company to maintain a grass height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches for a healthy lawn. Cutting the grass too short can damage or dry out the soil and cause dead patches. Keeping the grass around 3 inches tall during the spring and summer also helps to inhibit crabgrass.

Follow these tips when hiring a lawn mowing company:

• Get at least 3 in-person quotes to compare.
• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Confirm the company is licensed, bonded, and insured.
• Ask for a list of references.
• Review the company's portfolio of recent work.
• Be wary of low bids that may indicate low-quality work.
• Ask for a detailed contract in writing.
• Don't pay in full until the mowing is done.

Ask these questions to help you find the best pro for the job:

• How long have you been in business?
• Can you provide a list of references?
• What does your lawn mowing service include?
• Will you bag the grass clippings? Do you charge extra for the service?
• How often will you mow my lawn?
• Does your mowing frequency change throughout the year?
• How do you handle rain delays?
• Do you offer any other lawn treatment services?