We all want a beautiful and tidy yard, but not knowing how much labor and supplies are going to cost you to get a cleanup can be tricky. The average cost for a yard cleanup is $318, but you can expect to pay between $174 and $436.
The average minimum cost for a yard cleanup is $109, but it can rise to $1,089, depending on the yard size and the required services. The national average size for a yard is a quarter of an acre, and most homeowners with that yard size pay between $218 and $544.
In this pricing guide, we’ll cover:
- Average yard cleanup costs in 2024
- Yard cleanup cost estimator by yard size
- Other factors that affect cost
- Related services
- Pro cost vs. DIY cost
- Cost of yard cleanup by location
- FAQ
Average yard cleanup costs in 2024
| National average cost | $318 |
| Typical price range | $174 – $436 |
| Extreme low-end cost | $109 |
| Extreme high-end cost | $1,089 |
The average costs for a yard cleanup may include leaf mulching, flower bed and garden cleanup, trash or furniture removal, and leaf removal services.
The bigger the yard, the more you are likely to pay, and the same goes for the extent of work performed in your yard. For example, if your yard only needs leaf removal, it would cost less than a complete yard cleanup that includes weeding and trimming trees and shrubs.
To lower your costs, you should consider performing regular maintenance on your yard. That will prevent it from getting to a point where a professional lawn care company would have to spend several hours or even days cleaning it up.
Yard cleanup cost estimator by yard size
When estimating the cost of a yard cleanup, size is essential but not determinant. You can use the average cost estimates below as a starting point, but remember to factor in the services you need.
| Project size | Average overall cost |
| ⅛ acre (5,445 square feet) | $109 – $272 |
| ⅙ acre (7,260 square feet) | $145 – $363 |
| ⅕ acre (8,712 square feet) | $174 – $436 |
| ¼ acre (10,890 square feet) | $218 – $544 |
| ½ acre (21,780 square feet) | $436 – $1,089 |
| ¾ acre (32,670 square feet) | $653 – $1,634 |
| 1 acre (43,560 square feet) | $871 – $2,178 |
A bigger yard means more leaves and debris that need to be removed, trees and shrubs that need to be trimmed, weeds that need to be yanked out, and more work hours you have to pay for. All of these elements will raise the costs of yard cleanup.
Other factors that affect cost
Aside from the size of your yard and the services needed, here are some other factors that might affect your yard cleanup costs:
Frequency
The cost of a contract with a lawn care service will depend on the frequency with which you need your yard cleaned.
The more often the professionals come, the more money you are likely to pay. However, if you plan on hiring a pro after months or a year of debris building up, it will take more hours to finish the service, which will cost you more than having them come regularly.
Here is a table of average costs for contracts based on the frequency of the cleanup:
Pricing method
Landscaping companies have different ways of estimating the cost of a yard cleanup. Most will charge a flat rate considering the services performed and the size of your yard, but some will charge per hour of work or bag of debris hauled away.
Here are the average costs for each pricing method:
| Pricing method | Typical cost range |
| Flat rate | $174 – $436 |
| Per hour | $32 – $80 |
| Per square foot | $0.02 – $0.05 |
| Per bag | $5 – $10 |
Season
As the weather changes, so do the needs of your yard.
Spring cleanup: Winter can be harsh on landscaping, so when spring arrives, it’s time to clean up branches, twigs, and leaves that might have fallen off during snowstorms. You’ll want to ensure your lawn is ready to sprout new growth by raking and dethatching matted-down grass and taking care of any other damaged areas.
Fall cleanup: As for fall, you’ll want to prepare your plants and turfgrass for winter by removing dead leaves and other debris from your lawn. Doing so will help them endure the extreme weather conditions. Fall is also the time to clean your gutters (or hire someone else to do it) of all the clogs caused by leaves.
Here are the average cost ranges for spring and fall cleanup:
Type of cleanup
The nature of yard cleanup tasks significantly influences overall costs, considering factors such as labor intensity, equipment requirements, and disposal needs. Here’s a breakdown of common cleanup tasks and their impact on yard cleanup costs:
- Raking leaves: Larger yards with more foliage may incur higher costs due to extensive labor and effort.
- Mulching leaves: Leaf mulching offers an alternative to disposal. While it adds nutrients to the soil, the process may require specialized equipment, impacting the overall cleanup cost.
- Flower bed and garden cleanup: Clearing and tidying flower beds and gardens involves delicate work. The intricacy of this task can contribute to higher costs, especially in well-maintained or intricate landscapes.
- Trash or furniture removal: Disposing of non-organic waste or old furniture incurs additional costs, considering the need for proper disposal methods and potential recycling fees.
- Pet waste removal: Addressing pet waste involves meticulous cleaning to ensure a hygienic and odor-free environment. While a crucial task, it may incur additional costs due to the extra care and attention required.
- Bagging yard waste: Bagging yard waste for disposal or recycling adds a labor component to the cleanup process, impacting costs based on the quantity and weight of the collected waste.
- Specialized cleanup: Tasks like removing invasive plants, treating pest-infested areas, or addressing specific lawn issues fall under specialized cleanup. The need for expertise and targeted treatments can impact costs based on the complexity of the task.
Debris removal
Clearing larger debris, like fallen branches or dead plants, may involve additional costs, especially if disposal services are required. The volume and weight of debris impact overall cleanup expenses. Depending on the volume of debris, you can expect to pay between $160 and $400 for debris removal services.
Yard cleanup can encompass a lot of tasks. Depending on the situation, you might want to consider additional services to make your yard more healthy and appealing.
Aeration
Aeration relieves compacted soil by making small holes in it. It should be part of every lawn maintenance routine, as it can help the grass roots grow more strongly and deeply. The best times of year to aerate are spring and fall – right around the time when you need your yard cleaned.
Lawn aeration costs between $82 and $251, with an average of $143, and it should be done at least once a year.
Dethatching
In comprehensive lawn maintenance, dethatching and aeration often complement each other. Dethatching, a process of eliminating organic buildup between grass and soil layers, is most effective when performed prior to aeration. If your lawn requires the removal of excess thatch, expect dethatching costs to range between $146 and $246.
Gutter cleaning and repair
Hire a pro to clean your gutters regularly. Clogged gutters can be destructive and cause floods, so cleaning them once in a while ensures no leaves or debris impede the water flow.
Prices will depend on the size of your home and will usually increase if there are two or more stories. The average costs for gutter cleaning services are between $105 and $375, with the price per linear foot at around $0.70 to $2.50.
If you neglect cleaning your gutters and let debris like leaves and twigs clog them, it can lead to potential issues that damage your landscaping and home foundation. Expect the cost to be between $164 and $500 to have professionals repair your gutters.
Mowing
It’s crucial to maintain a tidy lawn if you want a well-kept yard. Regular lawn mowing not only enhances curb appeal but also wards off pests and promotes grass health. Professional mowing services, ranging from $36 to $105, may have minimum fees, making the cost per square foot higher for smaller yards.
Weed control
Simply mowing or cutting down weeds during routine yard cleanup won’t eliminate them entirely. To ensure they’re gone for good, you need to use an effective herbicide, dig them up, or hire a professional. The cost of weed removal varies based on your yard’s size and the extent of weed growth.
Bush and tree trimming
Regular trimming not only boosts curb appeal by shaping and defining the landscape but also promotes the health of plants by stimulating proper growth and reducing the risk of disease.
The combined effect of yard cleanup, bush trimming, and tree pruning results in a well-manicured outdoor space that not only looks appealing but also fosters the longevity and vitality of the plants within it.
Tree removal
Removing trees may be necessary, especially when addressing diseased, damaged, or potentially hazardous trees. While yard cleanup focuses on tidying the surface, tree removal goes deeper, eliminating the risk of falling branches or the spread of diseases to neighboring trees.
This crucial service ensures the safety of your property and complements overall landscape maintenance, contributing to a secure and well-maintained outdoor environment.
Stump removal
You had a tree removed, and you’re left with tree stumps in your yard. It’s not a pleasant sight, but hiring someone to remove the stumps for you is easy.
The cost of having stumps removed depends on several factors, including the number of stumps to be removed, the size of the stump, the root system complexity, and the type of tree.
Sprinkler installation and repair
Investing in a sprinkler system is a great way to ensure your lawn stays vibrant and green. The cost of installation depends on your yard’s size and the type of sprinkler system you choose.
If you already have a sprinkler installed, occasional sprinkler repair might be needed due to wear, malfunctions, or external damage. Keeping your system in good shape ensures consistent and efficient watering for your lawn.
Landscaping
If you just moved into a new home, maybe your yard needs more than a cleanup: it needs a complete landscape renovation. A landscaper can aid you in installing sod, building decks and pathways, and much more. The national average cost of landscaping will depend on the project and yard size.
Land clearing
When you need to clear land, you’re probably not just looking for simple leaf cleanup services. Instead, you probably need to prepare the site for another project involving heavy equipment and long hours of work.
For clearing land, the overall costs will include land survey, clearing permits, and geotechnical testing.
Pro cost vs. DIY cost
The costs of cleaning up your yard on your own can vary depending on what you need to do. For example, if you just need to remove leaves, a rake costs an average of $22, and a leaf blower can cost around $167. However, if you need to trim trees, bushes, hedges, and more, the total cost may rise to more than $900 for all the necessary equipment.
Here is a table with most of the tools you’re going to need for a complete yard cleanup:
| DIY equipment | Average cost |
| Rake | $22 |
| Leaf blower | $167 |
| Electric push mower | $245 |
| Gardening gloves | $12 |
| Hedge clipper | $32 |
| Hedge trimmer | $54 |
| Hand pruner | $14 |
| Garden bags | $6 |
| Chainsaw | $142 |
| Leaf mulcher | $175 |
| Wheelbarrow | $69 |
| Total equipment cost | $938 |
Most homeowners already have some of these tools at home, and regularly keeping your bushes and shrubs pruned can help you save money on maintenance. However, doing a complete yard cleanup yourself is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and sometimes even dangerous. In addition, you may still need to hire someone to haul away your yard waste.
The average cost for a yard cleanup is $318, but you probably won’t pay that total if you do some easy tasks yourself throughout the year and call in the pros every once in a while to do the more demanding work. Consider what works best for you.
Cost of yard cleanup by location
You can expect to pay more for the same service in metropolitan areas than in rural ones. For example, suppose you live in an area like New York City or Los Angeles, where labor costs are higher than average. In that case, the hourly rates will most certainly cost more.
On the other hand, if you live somewhere less expensive, like Kansas City or Austin, then labor rates will be lower, and so will the price tag on hiring someone to do yard work for you.
Local climate also can affect cleanup prices. If you live in an area that frequently sees heavy storms, yard cleanup services will be in higher demand and will likely cost more than usual (especially right after a storm).
FAQ
How can I avoid expensive yard cleanups?
Follow these tips to avoid an expensive yard cleanup:
- Mow regularly
- Dethatch when necessary
- Aerate once a year
- Mulch leaves with a mulching mower instead of paying someone to rake, bag, and haul them away
- Use grass clippings as mulch instead of bagging them
- Apply herbicides to help control weeds
- Control pests when they first appear
How can I make my large yard maintenance-free?
Low-maintenance lawn alternatives are the best option for homeowners who have a large yard but don’t have much time to take care of it. For example, you can install paving stones, a stamped concrete patio, or artificial turf. You also can opt for xeriscaping or laying down wood chips or bark in large areas.
What is the fastest way to clean up my yard?
For a faster cleanup, you can:
- Mulch leaves and grass clippings
- Sharpen your tools for mowing grass and trimming shrubs and trees
- Divide your tasks into separate days
- Divide your yard into sections and work on them separately
But really, the fastest and easiest way to clean up your yard is to hire someone else to do it for you.
Final Thoughts
The cost of yard cleanup will depend on how much work your yard needs and what types of services you need. Yard cleanup can include trimming bushes, removing leaves, weed control, and many other tasks.
On average, homeowners pay $318 for a yard cleanup, which can be a backbreaking task to do on your own. Save money, time, and energy — find a pro near you to aid in this arduous assignment.
Note: Lawn Love may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Photo Credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engine | Flickr | Public Domain
