How Much Should I Charge for Lawn Mowing and Lawn Care?
Lawn care is usually priced per visit, based on the size of the yard and how long it takes. Mowing, edging and blowing a small yard can take under an hour, while a full cleanup with trimming and leaf removal can take most of a day. Your fuel and equipment are part of the price.
Reference Rates: Lawn Care
Based on a reference of $50 an hour for lawn care & landscaping at an intermediate level, in a state with average living costs. These are starting points, before materials, travel and card fees.
| Experience | Per hour | Mow, small yard (1 h) | Yard cleanup (4 h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just Starting less than 1 year | $35 | $35 | $140 |
| Intermediate 1 to 3 years | $50 | $50 | $200 |
| Experienced 3 to 8 years | $67.50 | $70 | $270 |
| Expert top of your field | $90 | $90 | $360 |
By State (Intermediate Level)
| State | Per hour | Mow, small yard (1 h) | Yard cleanup (4 h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $56 | $60 | $230 |
| New York | $54 | $55 | $220 |
| Texas | $48.50 | $50 | $200 |
| Florida | $51 | $55 | $210 |
| Illinois | $50 | $50 | $200 |
| Pennsylvania | $48 | $50 | $200 |
| Ohio | $45 | $45 | $180 |
| Georgia | $47 | $50 | $190 |
Working in a big city or its metro area, add about 8%. For your exact case, including any other state, use the calculator above.
Per Visit, Per Hour or by Lot Size?
Clients want a price per visit, so work out how long their yard takes you and multiply by your hourly rate. For new quotes, the lot size (a quarter acre, half an acre) and photos are enough to estimate.
Hills, fences, lots of trees and tall grass slow you down. Overgrown yards on the first visit often cost 1.5 to 2 times the regular price.
Count Your Equipment
Mowers, trimmers and blowers wear out, and gas adds up fast. Add fuel under "Travel" and a small amount per job for equipment wear under "Materials". Weekly clients on one street are worth a small discount, because your drive time drops.
What's Usually Included
- Mowing
- Edging along walks and driveways
- Blowing clippings off hard surfaces
What to Charge Extra For
- Leaf removal and seasonal cleanups
- Hedge and shrub trimming
- Weeding and mulching
- Hauling away yard waste
- Fertilizing and aeration
Common Pricing Mistakes
- Quoting without asking about the yard size or slope
- Charging the regular price for an overgrown first cut
- Forgetting fuel and dump fees
- Not raising prices when gas goes up
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge to mow a lawn?
Time how long the yard takes, multiply by your hourly rate and add fuel. Small yards are often priced at a minimum per visit so they're still worth the trip.
Should I offer weekly or biweekly plans?
Yes. Weekly mowing keeps the grass short, so each visit is faster. Biweekly yards grow more, so they can cost a bit more per visit.
How do I price leaf cleanup?
Leaf cleanup is priced by time, plus disposal. A big fall cleanup can take several hours, so quote it separately from mowing.