Unsure whether the lawn care quote you received is fair? Or perhaps you’re just curious about what you should be shelling out for mowing, weeding, or fertilizing? You’re in the right place.
In this simple pricing guide, we’ll outline average service costs per yard size and compare DIY and hiring pros, as well as explain what affects your overall price.
Whether you’re a homeowner determining what to budget for the season or are considering entering the business of lawn service, this guide will help you get an idea of what’s normal, which things are extra, and where paying up can be totally worth it.
How Much Does Lawn Care Cost?
Basic lawn care, including mowing and trimming, can cost around $55 per visit on average.
The majority of people pay between $30 and $80, depending on where they live and how big their yard is. For full-service lawn care, including mowing and mulching during the growing seasons, you can expect to pay from $120 to $430 per month. Or $1,000 to $2,400 per year.
What you actually pay depends on things like
- Yard size and layout
- Service frequency
- Level of service (mow only/full care)
- Location
- Lawn condition
Cost of Lawn Care Service (By Yard Size)
The size of your yard is generally the biggest determining factor in what you’ll pay. Here’s a way to think of it:Larger yards require more time, gas, and work!
Here is a rough breakdown of what you might expect to pay for regular mowing alone:
| Yard Size | What You’ll Pay Per Visit | Monthly Cost (Weekly Service) |
| Tiny yard (less than 1/8 acre) | $25-$35 | $100-$140 |
| Small yard (1/8 to 1/4 acre) | $35-$45 | $140-$180 |
| Medium yard (1/4 to 1/3 acre) | $45-$55 | $180-$220 |
| Medium-large yard (1/3 to 1/2 acre) | $55-$75 | $220-$300 |
| Large yard (1/2 to 1 acre) | $75-$125 | $300-$500 |
| Extra large yard (1 to 2 acres) | $125-$200 | $500-$800 |
| Massive yard (2+ acres) | $200-$400+ | $800-$1,600+ |
Lawn Care Service Cost per Acre
The average homeowner pays between $130 and $200 per month during the growing season (spring through fall) for complete lawn care. This usually covers:
- Somebody is coming out to mow once a week.
- Trimming and edging once fortnightly
- To set down manure every month
- Spraying for weeds when needed
When you add it up for the entire year, most people end up spending between $1,000 and $2,400 on lawn care. Naturally, if you have a larger yard or want service more often, the cost will be higher.
The Johnson family in Ohio is Exhibit A. Their yard is medium in size (about 1/3rd acre). Before they hired help, every weekend was three hours of mowing and trimming.
Now, they pay $65 a week in summer for a company to do the mowing, edging, and cleanup. They also spend $350 annually on fertilization and an additional $400 for seasonal cleanups. Total yearly cost? $2,570.
That’s an investment, but they say it’s worth it to get their weekends back and have a healthier lawn.
Lawn Service Price Chart (By Type)
What Do Lawn Services Really Cost? There is a lot more to caring for your lawn than just mowing!
Lawn Mowing Service
This is the most basic service—cutting your grass only:
- Small yard: $25–$45
- Medium yard: $45–$75
- Large yard: $75–$125
- XL yard: $125–$400+
If you’re considering mowing lawns yourself to earn some money or wondering how much to charge for lawn mowing in general, this table shows what’s fair for lawn-mowing work in most areas.
Lawn Aeration
This is the time when they poke holes all over your lawn to help air, water, and nutrients get down to the roots:
- $75–$500+, depending on yard size
Lawn Fertilizing & Weeding Treatment
Maintaining a healthy, weed-free lawn:
- $40–$150 per visit
- $250–$700 per year for a plan
Leaf Removal & Yard Cleanup
Leaf and yard debris removal:
- $75 to $600 depending on the number of leaves you have
Lawn Dethatching Service
Clearing the dead grass that accumulates between green grass and dirt:
- $100–$700+
Lawn Reseeding Service
Planting new grass seed to thicken up your lawn or patch bare spots:
- $400–$1,300 for most yards
- Hydroseeding (sprayed seed mixture): $400–$1,100
Mulching
Use mulch on your garden beds for weed control and to retain moisture:
- $250–$600 for garden beds
- Gardening and Watering Plants
The care of flowers and other plants:
- $30 or $150 per visit or per hour
Lawn Winterizing & Snow Removal
Preparing for winter and coping with snow:
- $30–$150 per visit
- $350–$800 for full winter packages
Sod or Turf Installation
Receiving an instant lawn, as opposed to waiting for seeds to grow:
- Sod (real grass): $4,350–$12,200
- Turf (fake grass): $35,000–$87,000
Lawn Replacement
If you want to have a completely new lawn:
- $3,000–$15,000+
The Way Lawn Care Services Prices Yard Work
There are 4 commonly used methods when pricing lawn care services:
- By the square foot—good for large lawns. Prices range from 1 to 4 cents a sq ft.
- Flat rate – Most common. It’s based on the size of your yard and covers routine to-dos.
- Hourly rate: For jobs that are tricky. Rates range from $25 to $80/hr.
- Bundle deals – Receive and pay for multiple services at a discount. Popular with seasonal contracts.
Factors Affecting Cost to Care for Your Yard and Lawn
Not all lawns are equally expensive to maintain. Here’s what would make your price higher or lower:
- Hills or organically shaped lawns are more expensive (10–30%).
- Hard-to-access areas may add 10–20%.
- Tall grass may be an additional $10-$30.
- One-time cleanings cost more than recurring service.
- Peak pricing seasons are spring and summer.
Lawn Care Packages & Pricing by Brand
The national companies everyone’s heard of offer packages. Remember, these prices are a single snapshot in time. Exact costs will depend on your location, the size of your lawn, and the services you request.
Here’s what they typically cost:
TruGreen
- Basic plan: $350–$875/year
- Mid-tier with grub control: $450–$1,350/year
- Plus aeration & overseeding: $650–$1,700 annually
- Full-service with tree/shrub care: $1,100–$2,000/year
- Organic option (TruNatural): $650–$1,000/year
Lawn Doctor
- Standard care: $300–$800/year
- Aeration & seeding: $350–$900
- Mosquito & tick control: $390–$680/year
- Pest control: $300–$750/year
Weed Man
- Basic package: $350–$600/year
- Full care plans: $700–$1,000/year
- Extras such as mosquito control, seeding, and grub treatment: $88 to $266 a service
Lawn Care Prices by Location
Where you live makes a BIG difference in what you’ll spend. Here’s a look at how prices compare across the U.S.:
Northeast (like New York, Boston)
- In town: $45 to $90 for just an old-fashioned mow
- Suburbs: $35-$65 for a basic mow
- In the country: $30-$50 for a straightforward mow
Southeast (like Florida and Georgia)
- In town: $40 to $70 for a basic mow
- In the suburbs: $30 to $55 for a basic mow
- In the burbs: $25-45 for a standard mow
Midwest (like Illinois and Minnesota)
- In the city: $40 to $75 for a simple mow
- Suburbs: $30-$60 for an average and basic mow
- In the country: $25-$45 (standard) mow
West Coast (like California and Washington)
- In the city: $50 to $100 for a basic mow
- In the suburbs: $40 to $80 for a simple mow
- In the country: $35-$60 for general mow
Southwest (like Arizona and Nevada)
- $40-$80 for an average mow (in the city)
- In outlying areas: $35 to $65 for a basic mow
- Rural area: Basic mow $30-$50
DIY or Professional How Much Does Lawn Care Cost?
DIY Costs
- Initial equipment purchase: $500-$2,500 (mower, trimmer, etc.) upfront.
- On supplies: $200-$600 annually (seed, fertilizer, weed killer)
- Your time: 2-5 hours per week in the spring and summer
- Equipment upkeep: $100-$300 each year
Hiring Pros
- Standard lawn maintenance: $1,000 to $2,400 per year
- Total lawn care: $2,000-$5,000+ per year
- Time saved: More than 100 hours a year
- Expertise: They understand your lawn and when it needs a pick-me-up.
- Protection: If something gets broken, they’re insured.
Starting your own business? Learn here how to obtain lawn care insurance and protect yourself as well as your customers.
Final Thoughts
Lawn maintenance prices can range quite a bit, but when you know the going rate, you’re in charge. Whether you’re maintaining your own lawn or taking steps toward starting a lawn care business, knowing the real cost of these services can help you budget wisely and negotiate like a pro.
Make billing time simple and professional for your clients with InvoiceCue. It’s quick, it’s easy, and you’ll seem like a pro. And don’t forget! It may also not be outside of your reach to get a few quotes and figure out exactly what it is you want from a company like this, as
FAQs on Lawn Service Costs
1. How much does lawn mowing cost in the US usually?
Lawn care costs in the United States may be determined by service type, lawn size, and region. Full-service packages and a pay-per-service approach are also available, with basic mowing costs averaging between $30 and $80 per visit, while plans that include fertilization, aeration, and weed control cost anywhere from $100 to $300 monthly.
2. Which factors impact the price of lawn care services?
Lawn care prices range from $50 to $150, and the average is between $100 and $200. Factors that impact the price include the size of your lawn, how often you have it mowed, any extra services—such as fertilizing—you want, the regional cost of labor, and the time of year. And keep in mind whether you are looking at a one-time or ongoing service package. Other services, such as pest control or seasonal clean-ups, may also raise the cost.
3. Is it cheaper to hire a lawn service or do it yourself?
Do-it-yourself (DIY) lawn care could save costs in the short term, but it does take time, tools, and know-how for proper application. Professional seeding promotes the same results every time; it’s a time saver, and many times it’s better for your lawn in the long haul. For a lot of homeowners in the US, convenience and experience are worth more than that added cost.