If you want to create a new vegetable garden or add flower beds to your yard, you’ll need to remove the grass first. On average, grass removal costs between $0.60 and $1.10 per square foot, including labor and materials.
The most significant factor in the overall cost is the size of your lawn, which determines the amount of grass that needs to be removed, but the method of removal can also impact your budget.
In this guide, we’ve gathered data from big and small cities across the U.S., so you can get an accurate estimate of how much this project will cost in your region.
Cost by location
Lawn removal costs can vary depending on where you are located. Generally, if you’re in a metropolitan area, you can expect to pay more for the same service than in a rural area.
However, people living in big cities usually have smaller yards. Because of this, the overall cost of grass removal will likely be lower than for someone with a 10,000-square-foot yard in the suburbs.
See the table below for the average costs to remove grass across the country:
| City | Average Cost Per Square Foot |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Boston, MA | $0.68 – $1.35 |
| Portland, ME | $0.56 – $1.11 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Orlando, FL | $0.51 – $1.01 |
| Atlanta, GA | $0.52 – $1.02 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Detroit, MI | $0.58 – $1.14 |
| Madison, WI | $0.59 – $1.16 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Missoula, MT | $0.53 – $1.04 |
| Boise, ID | $0.55 – $1.10 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $0.56 – $1.11 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $0.54 – $1.07 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $0.61 – $1.21 |
Cost estimator by lawn size
The first thing to take into account when estimating how much your grass removal project will cost is the size of your lawn that needs to be cleared. It might sound obvious, but it’s the most important consideration since most lawn care companies charge based on square footage.
The table below shows the estimate for different lawn or garden sizes, considering the average cost of $0.60 to $1.10 per square foot, which includes labor and materials.
| Project size | Typical project cost |
| 100 sq. ft. (small flower bed) | $60 – $110 |
| 200 sq. ft. (vegetable garden) | $120 – $220 |
| 500 sq. ft. (medium garden) | $300 – $550 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. (medium-sized patio) | $600 – $1,100 |
| 5,000 sq. ft. (average yard) | $3,000 – $5,500 |
Cost by method of removal
knowlesgallery | Adobe Stock
The first cost factor to consider is the chosen method of grass removal. There are four ways to remove grass, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages, including effectiveness and cost.
| Removal method | Average cost |
| Physical removal (sod cutter or shovel) | $45 – $95 per hour |
| Herbicides | $40 – $200 per visit |
| Solarization | $0.10 per square foot |
| Sheet mulching | $38 – $140 per cubic yard |
Physical removal
Removing grass with a shovel or sod cutter is the fastest and most common method since the other ones usually need weeks before they start working. However, removing grass using this method is also more physically demanding and not as effective for deep-rooted grass like Bermudagrass or weeds like nutsedge.
Professionals might charge by the hour at a rate of $45 to $95.
Herbicides
You can remove grass and weeds by using a post-emergent herbicide like glyphosate. Getting a professional to apply broad-spectrum herbicides can cost between $40 and $200 per application. However, you may need to apply more than once for complete grass removal.
Note: Most herbicides used for weed control can harm the environment and your soil’s biology. Plus, you will still need to dig up your lawn to remove the dead grass.
Solarization
The solarization process involves covering the area where you want grass removed with a sheet of plastic for six to eight weeks until the grass eventually dies off (along with weeds and pests). This method works better in sunny, warm climates.
In addition, homeowners can do solarization themselves since it only requires clear plastic sheets and bricks or rocks to hold them down. It just requires patience, as it takes longer. Clear plastic sheets cost an average of $0.10 per square foot.
Sheet mulching
Also known as lasagna gardening, sheet mulching involves smothering grass with multiple layers of mulch, including paper, cardboard, and organic materials. It can cost nothing, as you already have most of the materials at home (paper, organic waste, etc.). Alternatively, you can hire a pro to install mulch, which costs between $77 and $94 per cubic yard.
Pro cost vs. DIY cost
If you want to save money, you can remove your own grass instead of paying someone else to do it. You have a few options for going about it.
First, if you don’t mind waiting several weeks until your grass is completely removed, you can do it practically for free using solarization or sheet mulching.
On the other hand, if you want the job finished in a day or two, you will need to dig the grass up. A flat shovel costs around $20, but if you want to be fancy, a sod cutter will get the much quicker, costing $3,900 or $100 per day to rent.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to call 811 at least three days before you do any digging, so they can come and mark the utility lines.
Other factors that affect cost
Besides the size of your lawn, other factors might influence grass removal costs, including the method of removal, labor costs, and removal of obstacles.
Removal of obstacles
The total cost of grass removal can also be affected by the number of obstacles on the property. For example, professionals may need to remove tree stumps or a water sprinkler system, which takes time and skill and will incur additional costs.
New lawn installation
There are two options for replacing your grass: sod installation or reseeding. Laying sod is labor-intensive and time-consuming, but it will create an instant lawn. Hiring a professional for sod installation costs around $1.70 to $2.60 per square foot.
On the other hand, seeding your lawn is easier and cheaper, but it will take longer for the grass to mature and establish. On average, lawn seeding costs between $150 and $1,200, or around $0.07 to $0.23 per square foot.
FAQ
You should dig your soil with a flat-end shovel 3 to 4 inches deep to get most of the grassroots. Note that this process also removes the topsoil, which contains many nutrients. The solution is to lay the old sod with the grass side down and spread compost over it to return nutrients to the soil.
If you’re looking for the fastest way to remove old grass, you can use a sod cutter. This motorized machine slices soil, cutting grass at the roots and creating grass strips. Also, lawn removal is best when the soil is moderately damp because it’s easier to dig up.
It depends. You should remove your entire lawn and replace it with a new one when at least 50% of what was supposed to be grass is bare ground and weeds.
Regarding the time of year, the best time to remove your grass – especially if you’re planning to lay down new sod – is during the active growing period. You can do it during late spring to summer for warm-season grasses and early fall or early spring for cool-season grasses.
Hire a pro for efficient grass removal
Grass removal is not an easy job at all. It would be a whole lot easier with the help of a few machines. Professionals usually have the necessary equipment, and they can quickly and efficiently remove the grass for you.
So, find a lawn care service pro near you today and save yourself both time and effort. Our pros can handle a range of services, including seeding, fertilization, yard cleanup, and more.
Read More:
- Lawn Seeding Cost Guide
- Lawn Mowing Cost Guide
- Aeration Cost Guide
- Dethatching Cost Guide
- Lawn Fertilization Cost Guide
- Leaf Removal Cost Guide
Note: Lawn Love may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Image: Worker removing grass from lawn. Image Credit: Christine Bird | Adobe Stock
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