The average homeowner spends $123 on lawn care and mowing services.
Lawn care costs range from $49 and $204, depending on lawn size and services.
Factors affecting cost include labor, lawn size, layout, grass type, and climate.
Regular lawn maintenance enhances curb appeal and prevents costly issues.
Hiring a professional ensures your lawn stays healthy and well-maintained.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn doesn't have to be a hassle. On average, homeowners spend around $123 on lawn care, with prices typically ranging from $49 and $204, depending on your lawn's size and the services you choose. Regular upkeep keeps your yard looking its best, and hiring a pro ensures the job gets done right. Whether it's a simple mow or tackling those tricky areas around rocks and trees, professional lawn care can make your life easier.
Keeping your lawn looking lush and green is easier with a professional's help. Most homeowners spend about $300 on lawn care, with costs ranging from $100 to $500 based on your lawn's size and the services you need. For just mowing, you might pay between $50 and $205. Factors like the size of your yard and any obstacles like trees or playground equipment can affect the price.
Seasonal lawn care goes a bit further than basic mowing and watering services without getting into complex jobs like leveling the slope of your lawn, tree trimming, and new landscape design.
Typically, lawn care services include:
Fertilization
Pesticide application
Herbicide application
Grass disease treatment
Aeration
Edging
Weeding
Spring and fall cleanup
Winterization
As we noted above, you can purchase packages of weekly or monthly visits that include basics like mowing and watering. Lawn care teams will determine which additional services your grass needs during each visit, depending on your contract.
Between basic and more complex lawn care treatments, you'll pay:
$50–$200 for weekly visits
$100–$300 for monthly visits
Whether you need a one-time mow or year-round care, lawn care pros offer services to fit your needs. The biggest factors in cost are labor and how big your lawn is, but things like the shape of your yard, local weather, and the services you choose can also affect the price.
Labor costs can vary based on the services you need. For routine tasks like mowing and watering, you might pay $35 to $70 per hour. More complex jobs that take extra time or a larger crew could cost up to $190 per hour. Some local lawn care pros offer flat rates instead of hourly fees, which often include travel and equipment costs.
Lawn mowing service: $50–$205 per visit
Larger lawn maintenance services: $120–$430 per visit
The bigger your lawn, the more time it takes to care for it, which affects the cost. For mowing, companies might charge:
$0.01 to $0.06 per square foot
$50 to $200 per acre
Keep in mind, for most lawns, the size mainly affects how long it takes to mow rather than the price per square foot.
If you live on a flat, rectangular property with few trees, boulders, or sprinkler heads, expect to pay the lower end of the price range.
A lawn care team will assess the layout and features of your lawn to determine your estimate, considering things like:
Gardens and flower beds
Walkways and patios
Slopes and ditches
Water elements like ponds and fountains
Trees and shrubs
Sprinkler systems
Fences
Children's playsets
Lawn care pros will have to spend more time trimming around the edges or avoiding these areas when mowing. Overall, the trickier the landscape, the longer it takes.
The kind of grass you have affects how often it needs to be mowed. Some grasses grow faster depending on the season. To keep your lawn healthy, it's best to only cut about one-third of the grass blade each time you mow. That might mean more frequent mowing during peak growth times.
Many lawn care companies offer packages or discounts for regular services. You might get a better deal by signing up for weekly or monthly mowing, and some packages include extras like aeration or weed control. It's worth asking about seasonal rates or promotions to save money in the long run.
Let's break down the mowing and lawn maintenance costs individually. Keep in mind that many lawn care companies will package items together—such as mowing and watering or fall cleanup and leaf removal.
Service | Average Cost Per Visit |
---|---|
Mowing costs | $50 – $205 |
Watering costs | $35 – $65 per hour |
Aeration costs | $75 – $200 |
Dethatching costs | $160 – $225 |
Fertilization costs | $71 – $380 |
Pest control | $110 – $260 |
Weed removal | $35 – $400 |
Spring and fall cleanup | $190–$1,000 |
Leaf removal | $300 – $600 |
Lawn winterization | $100 – $400 |
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Hiring a professional saves you time and can actually save you money in the long run. Without regular care, your lawn might develop problems like thatch buildup, diseases, or pests, which can be expensive to fix. A pro keeps your lawn healthy, so you can enjoy it without the hassle.
Mowing your lawn yourself is generally cheaper than paying someone to do it. While a lawn mower can cost between $80 and $2,500 depending on the type, professional mowing services charge between $30 and $80 per visit. Investing in your own mower means that over time, you can save money by handling the mowing yourself, especially if you maintain your lawn regularly.
While the wording may vary from company to company, lawn maintenance typically includes all the services that keep your current healthy lawn looking sharp. Think mowing, watering, weeding, and a spring or fall cleanup.
Lawn care digs a bit deeper. These packages may include services that elevate your lawn's health or address an issue throughout the year. Fertilization, pest and weed control, and dethatching all fall into this category.
There is no set-in-stone schedule for mowing your lawn, as each grass variety grows at a different rate depending on the season. Once you determine the type of grass in your lawn and its ideal height, aim to remove no more than the top third of the blade at a time to retain its healthy structure.
In the high growing season, this will likely break down to about once a week, which is why lawn care specialists often offer weekly plans.
Don’t mow your grass if it hasn’t grown more than one-third of its height since you last cut it. For example, if you want grass no more than 2 inches, don’t mow it until it’s 3 inches. Don’t cut your grass when wet, as it clumps together and places more stress on your mower’s blades and makes it harder for the sun to reach the turf. This can lead to mold or disease. Conversely, don’t mow when it’s too dry. But, if you do, be sure to raise your mower’s deck height by about half an inch to encourage slower growth.
Yes, landscaping can significantly add value to your home. High-quality landscape design offers a return on investment of 20% to 30%. A well-maintained lawn and attractive outdoor spaces enhance your property's curb appeal and market value, making it more appealing to potential buyers when you decide to sell.