Lawn care cost is an important consideration for many homeowners. The cost of lawn care varies depending on the size of your yard, the type of grass you have, and the type of services you need.
While mowing will cost you, on average, $30 to $70 per hour, the actual cost of lawn care will depend on a number of factors. For the typical lawn, mowing costs between $50 and $190 for an average of $120. You also have to factor in other lawn care services, such as aeration, fertilization, and leaf removal.
Table of contents:
- Average costs
- Cost estimator by size
- Other factors that affect cost
- Related services
- DIY cost
- Cost by location
- FAQ
Average lawn care costs in 2023
| Service | Average Cost | Typical range | Extreme high end | Extreme low end |
| Mowing | $120 | $50 – $190 | $800 | $45 |
| Leaf Removal | $280 | $155 – $460 | $740 | $60 |
| Aeration | $145 | $75 – $225 | $420 | $40 |
| Dethatching | $190 | $160 – $225 | $1,570 | $105 |
| Seeding | $1,245 | $675 – $1,815 | $2,960 | $195 |
| Hydroseeding | $1,000 | $515 – $1,910 | $1,910 | $330 |
| Fertilization | $335 | $120 to $480 | $1,330 | $80 |
| Weed control | $110 | $65 – $170 | $350 | $35 |
| Lawn pest control | $100 | $55 – $170 | $200 | $50 |
While the cost of services can vary depending on the lawn care company you hire, the size of your lawn, and the type of services you need, these averages should give you a good idea of what to expect.
If you’re looking for ways to save money on lawn care, consider doing some of the work yourself. For example, mowing your own lawn weekly or biweekly can save you a significant amount of money, so long as you have the time and equipment.
Lawn care cost estimator by lawn size
The average cost per square foot for basic lawn care (which typically includes mowing and trimming the edges of a lawn) is between $0.01 and $0.06, with the average lawn care service costing between $30 and $70 per hour.
Here are some examples of how much lawn care would cost for properties of different sizes.
| Project Size | Average overall cost |
| 5,000 square feet | $60 – $80 |
| 10,900 square feet (1/4 acre) | $70 – $100 |
| 21,750 square feet (1/2 acre) | $85 – $130 |
| 43,500 square feet (1 acre) | $120 – $170 |
| 435,000 square feet (10 acres) | $480 – $820 |
Other factors that affect cost
Aside from the size of your lawn, here are the other factors that can affect the cost of lawn care services.
Type of grass
The average price of lawn care will largely depend on the type of grass that you have. For example, Bermudagrass grows very quickly and will need to be mowed at least once a week. This can obviously become expensive if you have a large lawn.
On the other hand, fine fescue is a slower-growing grass that will only need to be mowed twice a month.
| Grass type | Typical cost of mowing per month (for ¼ acre) |
| Bermudagrass | $280 – $400 |
| Fine fescue | $140 – $200 |
| Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) | $210 – $300 |
| St. Augustinegrass | $280 – $400 |
| Zoysiagrass | $280 – $400 |
| Centipedegrass | $280 – $400 |
| Carpetgrass | $140 – $200 |
| Bahiagrass | $210 – $300 |
Frequency of mowing
When it comes to lawn care, the frequency of mowing can have a big impact on the cost. The more often you need someone to mow your lawn, the more money you’ll pay overall.
Some lawn care providers may offer lower pricing if you sign up for regular services. Consider a lawn maintenance plan to save a little money, rather than scheduling one mowing service at a time.
Lawn mowing isn’t the only thing that goes into keeping your lawn healthy. You may need other lawn care services, too, such as weeding, pest control, or fertilization. Include the cost of these additional services in your yearly lawn care budget.
Lawn dethatching
On average, the cost of lawn dethatching is between $160 and $225. This cost will depend on the size of your lawn and how much dethatching is needed.
Dethatching your lawn is the process of removing thatch, which is the layer of dead grass, leaves, and other organic matter that builds up on your lawn over time. This build-up can prevent your lawn from getting the oxygen, water, and nutrients it needs to be healthy.
Lawn aeration
On average, lawn aeration costs between $75 and $225 for a typical American lawn. This cost will depend on the size of your lawn and how often you have it aerated.
Lawn aeration can help improve the health of your lawn by reducing compaction and making it easier for water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the soil.
Seeding a lawn
Seeding a lawn costs between $680 and $1,815 for a typical U.S. lawn and can take between 7 and 30 days to germinate.
Seeding your lawn is a great way to improve the look of your yard and make it healthier. It can help fill in bare spots, improve the density of your lawn, and make it more resistant to weeds and diseases.
Hydroseeding
The typical hydroseeding cost is between $515 and $1,910 for an average-sized U.S. lawn. Hydroseeding is a process of mixing water, seed, and mulch together and spraying it onto your lawn. This method is great for people who don’t have the time to seed their lawn by hand, or for people who want to seed a large area.
Fertilizing a lawn
On average, the cost of fertilizing a lawn is between $120 and $480 for the average U.S. lawn. Fertilizing your lawn is important to maintain a healthy lawn. It helps to improve the quality of the grass and can also help to prevent weeds.
Leaf removal
The cost to have someone remove fall leaves from your yard is between $155 and $460 for a ¼-acre lawn.
Leaves can block water and sunlight from reaching the grass, and they can also harbor diseases and pests. Cleaning up leaves promptly and regularly during fall is an important step in keeping your lawn healthy through winter.
Weed control
Weed removal costs between $65 and $170 per treatment for an average-sized lawn. Weed seeds can remain dormant in the soil for years, so it is important to have a regular weed control program to prevent them from taking over your lawn.
Lawn pest control
On average, lawn pest control services cost $100 per treatment for an average-sized lawn. Typical costs can range from $55 to $170. From grubs to chinch bugs, there are a variety of pests that can wreak havoc on your lawn. A pest control program can help to keep these pests under control and prevent them from causing damage.
Cost of DIY lawn care
Are you looking to save money on lawn care costs? From weekly mowing the lawn to removing leaves from your yard, there are many yard chores you can easily handle yourself.
DIY cost breakdown
Let’s take a look at some average prices of lawn care equipment so you can get an idea of what you’ll need to budget for:
| Type of lawn care equipment | Typical Price Range |
| Lawn mower | Push mowers: $150 – $500 |
| Self-propelled lawn mowers: $300 – $800 | |
| Riding mowers: $2,000 – $4,000 | |
| Robot lawn mowers: $1000 – $2000 | |
| Mulching lawn mowers: $200 to $400 | |
| String trimmer | Battery-powered string trimmers: $100 – $200 |
| Gas string trimmers: $100 – $200 | |
| Hedge clipper | Hedge clippers: $25 – $50 |
| Leaf blower | Leaf blowers: $150 – $500 |
| Fertilizer | Lawn fertilizer: $12 – $90 for a 5,000 sq. ft. lawn |
| Aerator | Aerator rental: $29 – $150 per day |
How to take care of your lawn DIY in 6 steps
Now that you know what equipment you need, let’s take a look at how you can start taking care of your lawn DIY style.
1. Mow the lawn
One of the most important lawn care tasks is mowing your lawn regularly. Depending on the type of grass you have, you’ll need to mow it anywhere from once a week to once a month.
When you mow, be sure to use a sharp blade so you don’t damage the grass. Also, be sure to mow in different directions each time to prevent the grass from getting too used to one direction.
2. Edge the lawn
After you’ve mowed the lawn, it’s time to trim the edges. This will help to give your lawn a clean look. You can use a string trimmer or an edger for this task. Be sure to go slowly so you don’t damage the grass.
3. Fertilize the lawn
Lawn fertilizer helps keep grass healthy and green. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to fertilize your lawn. Most fertilizers come with easy-to-follow instructions. No matter what product you use, follow the directions on the package so you don’t damage your grass.
4. Water the lawn
Watering the lawn is essential to keeping the grass healthy. Water deeply and evenly so your grass’s roots can grow properly. The best time to water is in the early morning or late evening, when the sun won’t evaporate the water.
5. Aerate the lawn
Aerating your lawn is important to help grassroots grow properly. You can either rent a core aeration machine for a quick and painless (but more expensive) job or aerate by hand with a manual tool. If you aerate by hand, be sure to do it in several different directions.
6. Keep the lawn free of debris
Finally, you need to keep your lawn free of debris. This includes leaves, twigs, and other things that can damage the grass. Rake up debris regularly so they don’t build up and suffocate the grass.
DIY cost vs. professional cost
Whether you decide to do your lawn care yourself or hire a local lawn care provider, there will be costs associated with both options. If you choose to do your lawn care yourself, you’ll need to factor in the cost of equipment, supplies, and the time you’ll need to invest in order to maintain a healthy lawn.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to spend on lawn care if you do it yourself versus hiring a professional:
| Service | Cost of DIY equipment | Cost of hiring a professional |
| Lawn mowing | $100 – $2,000 | $60 – $820 per week |
| Lawn fertilizing | $12 – $90 | $61 to $240 for a 5,000 sq. ft. lawn |
| Lawn aerating | $29 – $150 per day | $85 and $250 for the average U.S. lawn |
| Leaf blowing | $150 – $500 | $155 to $460 for a quarter-acre lawn |
Cost of lawn care by location
For most people, the cost of lawn care is going to be the same regardless of where they live. However, if you live in an area with a higher cost of living, you can expect to pay more for lawn care services. This is because lawn care professionals in these areas have an hourly rate that’s higher than the average.
The climate can determine what type of grass you have and what products you need to maintain a healthy lawn. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you may need to use a different type of fertilizer than someone who lives in a drier climate. This can affect the cost of your lawn care.
FAQ
The general rule of thumb is to mow the lawn once a week. However, this can vary depending on the types of grass and the time of year. In the spring and fall, you may need to mow the lawn more often as the grass grows more quickly.
The best time to mow lawns is in the early morning or late evening when the sun is not as strong. This will help to avoid damaging the grass.
Lawn mowing services are definitely worth the money if you want to maintain a healthy lawn but don’t want yard chores to eat up a big chunk of your time.
Think about how much time you would spend mowing the lawn once a week, plus raking leaves once a week in fall, plus fertilizing 3-4 times a year, plus whatever else your lawn may need. You can keep that time for yourself by hiring a professional lawn care service to do the work for you.
Yes, doing your own lawn care is cheaper than hiring a professional service. It’s not free, though. You still have to buy equipment and supplies, and, more importantly, you have to spend your own leisure time on yard work.
Final thoughts
We all know that a beautiful lawn can make our home look great, but it comes at a cost. From DIY projects like seeding and fertilizing to hiring landscaping professionals for sod installation or lawn mowing, the cost of keeping a lawn in pristine condition can add up.
The best way to get an accurate estimate is to get a quote from a lawn maintenance company in your area. Be sure to factor in the cost of labor, materials, and any other necessary services so you can budget accordingly. With a little bit of planning, you can have the lawn of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Note: Lawn Love may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Photo by Paul Moody on Unsplash
