How Much Does Lawn Care Cost?
Lawn care generally costs between $100 and $500, though price can range significantly based on the frequency, type, and number of services that you need. Monthly services like lawn mowing range from $100 to $200, while other services, like lawn restoration or replacement, can cost more than $2,000.
Regular maintenance and upkeep of your yard is an excellent way to create lasting curb appeal and keep your outdoor property looking healthy and beautiful. Cost factors include the services you need and the regional costs of labor and materials. The size of your yard and the climate you live in also come into play.
Lawn Care Pricing Chart
At a glance, here’s a look at common lawn services and what they cost.
| Type of Service | Average Cost Per Project |
|---|---|
| Lawn Mowing & Maintenance | $135 |
| Lawn Aeration | $130 |
| Fertilization | $220 |
| Seeding | $950 |
| Weed Control Service | $75 |
| Installing a Sprinkler System | $2,500 |
| Tree Trimming | $800 |
| Leaf Removal & Spring Clean-Up | $345 |
| Sprinkler System Maintenance & Winterization | $85 |
| Dethatching & Power Raking | $265 |
| Lawn Replacement or Restoration Costs | $2,000+ |
Lawn Mowing & Maintenance
Lawn mowing and maintenance costs about $135 per month, or between $50 and $220. You’ll typically get mowing, hedging and trimming for your entire yard with this type of work. Discuss directly with your service pro what’s included in their packages.
Lawn Aeration
Lawn aeration costs about $130. This helps water, nutrients, and air to get down into the roots of your grass. Ultimately, this helps make your lawn stronger and healthier.
Fertilization
The average cost to fertilize a lawn is $220 or between $80 and $380. A single professional application begins at $50.
Seeding
The cost to seed a lawn is about $950, or between $410 and $1,510. This is a good way to prevent or repair bald or thinning areas of your lawn.
Cost to Get Your Yard Sprayed for Weeds
Weed control usually runs between $65 and $90. It depends on how many weeds you have, the difficulty of weed removal, and how much fertilizer you need. Organic weed and feed runs between $75 and $105. It may be more or less depending on the size of the area you need to cover. You may also opt for pre-treatment to stop weeds from growing. Homeowners pay $65 to $90 for this. Less common is hand weeding, which costs about $45 an hour.
A professional can help you decide whether or not you need a single service, or if you need ongoing assistance.
Installing a Sprinkler System
Installing a sprinkler system costs about $2,500, or between $1,740 and $3,410. The size of your yard and the quality of the materials play the biggest role in deciding price.
Tree Trimming
Tree trimming costs between $410 and $1,200. Tall or misshapen trees that are more difficult to access are more expensive to trim.
Leaf Removal and Spring Clean-Up
Leaf removal and yard clean-up costs about $345, or between $200 and $550. The number of trees in your yard, as well as regional cost of living differences impact price.
Sprinkler System Maintenance & Winterization
The cost to winterize or activate a sprinkler system runs between $55 and $110. In addition, you’ll need to pay about $115 in maintenance during a typical irrigation season.
Dethatching & Power Raking
The cost to dethatch a lawn averages about $215 for one or two hours of labor. Power raking, which is a more aggressive form of removing harmful thatch from the area, usually costs between $10 and $20 per 1,000 square feet.
Lawn Sod Costs
Sod costs between $120 and $400 per pallet. You’ll pay between $2,500 and $6,620 to fully replace or restore an average-sized lawn that’s about one-fifth of an acre.
Lawn Seeding Cost
To seed a lawn costs between $410 and $1,510. It takes between one to two years for a seeded lawn to fully grow in. During this time, it’s susceptible to pests and damage. Sod is a much quicker way to get the look and feel you want.
Lawn Service Prices
What you’ll pay for lawn services typically ranges from $100 to $500. Cost varies depending on the type and number of services, as well as the company or individual you work with. Regional living costs also impact price. Some pros will offer lawn care packages with multiple projects in it, while with others, you can book just one job. You will pay a different rate if you have a commercial property.
Finding the lawn service company that’s right for you takes some research and a few phone calls. For an accurate estimate of what the work costs in your area, talk to at least three lawn care and maintenance companies near you.
Lawn Care Cost per Month
Homeowners typically pay between $100 and $200 per month for general lawn care services. This includes basic maintenance like mowing, trimming, hedging, and upkeep. Price rises if you have a very large yard, or if you add additional services on, like gardening or weeding.
Weekly Lawn Care Cost
This generally costs about $50 per visit. Many people have their property serviced once a week, or once every other week. Purchasing a recurring plan will lead to lower costs. If you have a pro come just once, you may find it’s more expensive.
Annual Yard Work Prices
In general, the yearly cost ranges from $700 to $2,600. What you’ll pay changes based on where you live and the size of your property. For example, if you live in a temperate or cold climate, you probably don’t need a pro to come by from November through March. This cuts down dramatically on the overall cost. If you live in a warm climate that needs frequent maintenance with no breaks throughout the year, you’ll pay more.
Lawn Care Service Cost Factors
What you’ll pay for lawn care services depends on several factors. Take these into consideration as you’re planning and budgeting for the type of work you’d like to get done:
The size of your yard.
Residential vs. commercial lawn care costs.
Regional living expenses.
The different types of work you need done.
Whether you hire a large company vs. a smaller independent operation.
If you live in an expensive part of the country and have a large commercial area that needs significant lawn care, you will pay much more than if you hire a small independent company to help with assorted yard work on a small residential property.
Local Lawn Care Prices
Regional living costs, as well as climate and local labor and materials, can all impact what you’ll pay. Nationally, homeowners pay about $135 for lawn mowing services. Here’s a look at how that compares to different parts of the United States.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $120 |
| Raleigh, NC | $110 |
| Orlando, FL | $110 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $225 |
How Much Do Gardeners Charge per Month?
Gardeners typically charge per hour, beginning at $20 and going to $150. Garden and yard work services cost between $130 and $400 a month.
Gardener Hourly Rates
On average, a professional gardener typically charges between $50 and $100 an hour. You could pay as little as $20 or as much as $150. You may get a discount for ongoing care, or pay a flat fee per project.
Generally speaking, you’ll pay less for a self-employed gardener. Also, they often have fewer clients. This means they can pay more attention to your yard. You can also choose a gardener with a large company, which may help guarantee expertise, licensing, and insurance.
Garden Landscaping & Maintenance Cost Factors
As you work to find and hire a gardener, you can generally expect some or all of these services included in the scope of their work:
Planting, including shrubs, trees perennials, and annual plants.
Maintenance, like mowing, pruning, and fertilizing.
Removing debris, like brush or other yard waste.
Weed removal and prevention.
These services may also include pest and disease prevention. They could also include plant examination and plant training. This is where the plant is shaped to grow in a specific way. Ultimately, it fits the design of your property’s landscape.
DIY vs. Professional Lawn Care Costs
DIY lawn care is a simple way to cut costs over the long run, though it’s got significant up-front costs. A gas-powered push mower typically costs between $200 and $400. If you have a large property, you’ll probably need a riding mower. Those usually run from $800 to $2,000.
Fertilizer varies from $20 to $150 or more. Fertilizer with rented equipment is less expensive, while an all-inclusive DIY kit is more expensive. Hedge trimmers run from $50 to $300. While a pro costs more over time, you get quality work and expertise that keeps your lawn healthy and beautiful.
Getting Lawn Care Quotes
Wondering how to find and hire landscape contractors? When you’re shopping for the right pro, there are a few things to take into consideration.
What you’ll pay for services. Get at least three quotes from different pros.
If you’ll hire an independent contractor or major company. Larger companies tend to be more expensive but come with vetted pros.
The type of licenses and insurances the pro has. Especially if you hire an independent pro, make sure they have a current license and liability insurance.
You should also research ratings and reviews and take a look at their prior work experience.
Lawn Service Cost Estimator by Brand
Many brands, like Lawn Doctor and TruGreen, do not publish prices online. This is because what you’ll pay can vary so significantly based on the condition of your lawn, its size, and where you live.
Here’s a look at what you’ll pay with two different popular brands:
TruComplete Lawn Plan: $780 per year.
Scott’s LawnService: $650 per year.
FAQs
What’s the average cost of lawn care per acre?
The average cost of lawn care per acre ranges from $60 to $2,000 and up. What you’ll pay depends on factors like the services you purchase, the size of your property, and regional costs. For example, if you live near a large city and need to fertilize an acre, you can expect to pay significantly more than if you live in a suburban or rural area and need mowing services for your property.
How much do gardeners make?
Nationally, gardeners make an average of $50 an hour. You can charge more depending on experience and special certifications. You can also make more if you are highly skilled in a particular area, like landscape design.
How much does basic lawn care cost?
Basic lawn care typically costs about $50 per week. You’ll pay less with regular weekly or bi-weekly services, and more if it’s a one-time project.
Do I need to tip my monthly gardener or lawn care service?
Yes, you can tip your monthly gardener or lawn care service. Generally speaking, contractors do not expect tips. If you have a working relationship with them, consider tipping between $15 and $50 during holidays to show your appreciation.
How much should I charge for yard work?
You should charge between $130 and $400 per month for yard work. The exact amount you should charge varies depending on the type of work you do, how large the property is, and the frequency of the work.
How much does lawn care cost in Florida?
What you’ll pay for lawn care in Florida depends on factors including location and property size. Here’s a look at average lawn mowing costs in different parts of the state.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| South Florida | $85-$135 |
| Central Florida | $90-$110 |
| Northern Florida | $95-$130 |
Can I request an organic lawn care service?
Yes, you can request an organic lawn care service. Also known as “natural” lawn care, this process involves different or adapted methods of lawn care. It includes planting grass that’s native to your area. Pros also use organic fertilizer. As you’re interviewing pros, ask them about their experience and track record with this type of work.
