Having a lush, green, healthy lawn requires a consistent lawn care routine.
If you have a big yard or are short on time, keeping your lawn looking its best may be challenging.
This is when you may want to consider hiring a lawn care professional to do the work for you.
If you’ve never hired a lawn care specialist before, it may be difficult to know if the services you are being charged for are a good value for what you are getting.
The following chart includes the average prices for various lawn care services, so you will know if you are being overcharged or getting a good deal.
| Lawn Care Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Mowing | $30-$80 ($175 per acre) |
| Lawn Fertilization | $80-$380 |
| Aeration and Dethatching | $70-$190 ($175 per hour) |
| Weed Removal | $35-$120 |
| Leaf Removal | $190-$540 |
| Spring/Fall Yard Cleanup | $100-$250 |
| Winterizing Yard | $80-$380 ($50-$110 for sprinkler systems) |
| Overseeding | $1,200 |
| Landscape Edging Installation | $700-$1,700 |
| Sprinkler System Installation | $1,700-$3,400 |
| Sod or Turf Installation | $4,800 |
| Tree Pruning/Trimming | $300-$640 |
| Tree Removal | $780 |
| Landscaping and Design | $30-$4,500 |
The prices on the chart represent the average price range homeowners pay for lawn care services.
These prices may be higher or lower depending on where you live and the size of your lawn.
Keep reading to learn more about these lawn care services and why they are necessary for keeping your lawn healthy.
Table of Contents
Lawn Mowing Services
Mowing the lawn is a necessary part of life if you have a yard.
Grass goes dormant in the winter months, but it never stops growing throughout the rest of the year.
Lawn care professionals generally charge a flat rate for mowing grass unless you have a very large yard.
While the flat rate is typically between $30 and $80, expect to pay close to $175 per acre for a larger property.
You may even be able to get a discount if you have a large property, so be sure to ask.
When searching for someone to mow your lawn, getting a quote from at least three different companies is recommended.
Learn the truth behind if frequent mowing actually thickens grass in our article here.
Fertilizing The Lawn
Adding fertilizer to your lawn at different times of year will keep your grass lush and healthy.
You will have to decide on the type of fertilizer to apply to your lawn.
A lawn care professional will be able to consult with you to determine if your lawn would benefit from a fast-release or slow-release fertilizer.
You will also have a choice between using organic fertilizer or synthetic one.
The average price for lawn fertilization ranges from $80 to $380.
The price will ultimately depend on your lawn’s size and current condition.
Speaking of fertilizer, check out our picks for the best bagged compost to give your lawn the best start.
Lawn Aeration And Dethatching
Aerating your lawn involves creating holes in the soil for water and vital nutrients to get to the roots.
Aeration is especially important in compacted lawns because if the soil is packed down too tightly, your grass will have a difficult time establishing a strong root system.
The average cost to have your lawn aerated is between $70 and $190, and it is usually done in the spring or fall.
It is a good idea to have your lawn fertilized after aeration since the fertilizer will work efficiently.
The three most common types of aeration are core, spike, and limited.
Core aeration is generally the best method, so check with your lawn care professional to see if they offer this service.
Dethatching includes removing a layer of organic material between your grass and the soil.
Water and nutrients will not reach the grassroots if the thatch becomes too thick.
The thatch may be so thick that your grass will not survive in extreme cases.
A dethatching tool is usually used to remove thatch from lawns, and the cost for having this done averages to around $175 per hour.
Dethatching tends to be expensive because it is a labor-intensive process.
Once the thatch is pulled up from your lawn, it will also have to be removed.
Weed Removal
If there are a lot of weeds on your lawn, they will take vital nutrients away from your grass and possibly stunt its growth.
The average cost of having a professional remove the weeds for you is between $35 and $120.
This price depends on the size of your lawn and how many weeds will have to be removed.
How the weeds are removed is also a factor in how much you are charged for the service.
A lawn care service will generally use a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring to prevent weeds from sprouting.
These pre-emergent herbicides last for at least six weeks.
Once any weeds have become established, a post-emergent herbicide is used to kill them.
Occasionally, weeds may need to be removed by hand to protect the area around them.
Leaf Removal
Some homeowners let the dead leaves stay on their lawn to provide a bit of fertilizer and some ground cover to protect the grass from frost.
However, in some cases, having dead leaves on your lawn throughout the winter may leave you with brown areas, and bare patches of grass on your lawn after the snow has melted.
Expect to pay between $190 and $540 for leaf removal, depending on how large your lawn is.
It may seem pricy, but hiring a professional is the way to go if you do not have time to rake and bag the dead leaves yourself.
Getting rid of the dead leaves prevents any surprises in the spring.
Spring And Fall Yard Cleanup
In the spring, you are likely to have fallen branches and other debris on your lawn from early spring rainstorms.
It is essential to have your perennials pruned back, and your garden beds raked out to give your lawn a neater appearance in the fall.
Depending on how much debris is on your lawn, expect to pay between $100 and $250 for professional yard cleaning.
Having any foreign items removed from your lawn will not only make your lawn tidier, but it will give your home more curb appeal as well.
This extra debris will need to be removed anyway before your lawn is mowed.
Winterizing The Yard
Preparing your yard for the winter will ensure it looks its best in the springtime.
A fertilizer with high potassium and phosphorus levels will make your lawn more resistant to disease and cold weather.
Expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $380 to have this done to your lawn. It may cost more if your lawn is large.
If you have a sprinkler system, it will need to be winterized to prevent the lines from freezing.
Winterizing a sprinkler system involves draining the water out of the system and insulating any above-ground parts.
It will cost between $50 and $110 for the service, with the average median price closer to $80.
The size of your sprinkler system will determine the final cost.
Overseeding The Lawn
If there are bare spots in your lawn or grass has a patchy appearance, you will need to consider overseeding.
Overseeding will help your lawn appear fuller as the new seeds sprout.
Having a professional lawn care service overseed your lawn will cost you close to $1,200.
This price may be more or less, depending on the size of your lawn.
Overseeding with a drought-resistant or disease-resistant grass type will ensure your lawn survives harsh weather.
A lawn care professional will recommend the best grass type for your lawn according to your climate and lawn care schedule.
Landscape Edging Installation
Landscape edging, also known as curbing, creates a clear separation line between your lawn and garden beds.
The most common landscape edgings are made from stone, wood, plastic, concrete, or brick.
Having landscape edging installed by a professional will cost you between $700 and $1,700.
The price depends on how many linear feet of edging will be installed and what type of material will be used.
Sprinkler System Installation
Your grass needs water to stay green and healthy, especially during the hotter summer months.
If you are unable to keep your grass watered properly, it is wise to invest in a sprinkler system.
Depending on the size of your lawn, it will cost between $1,700 and $3,400 to have a sprinkler system professionally installed.
If you decide to have a sprinkler system installed, do not forget to have your system winterized before freezing weather arrives.
Sod or Turf Installation
If your lawn is less than ideal and you are looking for a quick fix, consider installing sod or artificial turf.
The process is costly and labor-intensive, but you will be rewarded with a perfect lawn.
If you are thinking about having sod or turf installed on your lawn, expect to pay $4,800 for a professional to do the work.
To get a quote for sod or turf installation, a lawn care professional will need to come to your home to measure your lawn.
Some companies may even be able to remotely give you an estimate by using satellite images of your property.
Tree Pruning And Trimming
To avoid dead branches on your lawn and encourage healthier growth, it is crucial to have your trees pruned at least once a year.
Pruning and trimming your trees are usually done in the winter for new growth in spring.
Properly trimmed trees will also allow more sunlight to reach your lawn, which in turn will make your grass greener and healthier.
The average price for having your trees pruned and trimmed ranges from $300 to $640.
The price for tree trimming depends on the number of trees needing to be trimmed and how large the trees are.
Tree Removal
Sometimes your trees need more than trimming or pruning.
If you have a dead or dying tree close to your home, it will likely need to be removed completely.
The average price a homeowner will expect to pay to remove a tree is around $780.
The price for tree removal is largely affected by the tree’s size, location, and health.
Having the stump removed afterward may cost extra, so be sure to ask whether or not this is included in the total price.
Landscaping and Design
If your lawn feels disorganized or you would simply like a different layout for your flower beds, you may want to have your entire yard landscaped and designed.
Professional landscaping and design may be as simple as having your flower beds rearranged or as complex as having an elaborate lawn design with flowers or pathways.
If you want to have your lawn professionally landscaped and designed, you will expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $4,500, depending on how much work you would like done.
Other Factors Affecting the Cost of Lawn Care Services
Aside from the size and condition of your yard, several other factors may impact the pricing of lawn care services in your area.
How Often Does Your Lawn Need Mowing?
Between early spring and late fall, your grass will keep growing.
This constant growth means your lawn will need to be mowed regularly.
Lawn care services usually offer discounts based on how often your lawn needs mowing.
For instance, the more often your lawn is mowed, the less it will cost.
You may even be able to get a better deal if you sign a six-month or one-year mowing contract.
Do You Live Near The Lawn Care Company?
Since the lawn care service professionals have to come to your house, your location matters regarding pricing.
If your home is located outside of the lawn care company’s service area, you may expect to pay a little extra for them to come to you.
There may be a small flat-rate fee, or the company may charge an amount for each mile they have to travel outside of their service area.
Does The Lawn Care Business Charge An Hourly Rate?
Some lawn care service providers charge an hourly rate instead of charging based on your lawn size.
The average hourly rate a lawn care service charges are around $25.
This hourly rate usually includes the costs of travel, equipment, and labor.
If you plan to work with a company and charge you an hourly rate, be sure to establish good communication with them.
Make sure you both understand the scope of the project and the estimated total before any work ever begins.
Occasionally, a lawn care company may charge you based on the square footage of your lawn.
What Is The Condition Of Your Lawn?
Mowing or landscaping a well-maintained lawn is much easier than working with a neglected lawn.
If you have not been keeping up with lawn maintenance before hiring a lawn care service, you will expect to pay a bit more for the cost of lawn mowing on your first visit.
More time and labor are involved in mowing your lawn because the company may need to remove debris or completely overhaul your flower bed.
It will cost you less in the long run if you schedule regular lawn care rather than only hiring a lawn company when you need it.
What Type Of Grass Do You Have?
The two types of grass are cool-season grass and warm-season grass.
Cool-season grasses grow more during early spring and fall, and they include:
- Ryegrass
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Fescues
Warm-season grasses grow well for the late spring and summer, and they include:
- Bermuda
- St. Augustine
- Zoysia grass
These two types of grasses have different care and maintenance requirements.
A lawn care professional will usually cut Kentucky bluegrass shorter during warm weather but leave Bermuda grass longer.
Aside from how short they are cut, these two types of grasses also have different needs for sun and shade, fertilization and watering, and mowing schedules.
The type of grass you have is based on your location and climate.
Choose a lawn care professional who understands the needs of your grass type so your lawn will receive the care and attention it needs to thrive.
Is Lawn Care Worth Paying For?
If you do not have the time each week to devote to maintaining your lawn, hiring a lawn care professional is worth it.
While it may cost more money in the long run versus you doing your lawn care yourself, it may be worth it to you just to have the free time.
Mowing or maintaining your lawn may take up to two hours every week.
If you work a lot during the week, the last thing you will want to do is spend part of your weekend working on your lawn, especially if the weather is hot or there is a threat of rain.
You will also save time by not learning all about proper fertilization, watering, and other lawn care techniques.
A lawn care professional is already very knowledgeable about lawn care and different types of grasses, and they will be able to recommend the best regimen for your lawn’s needs.