Hiring a LawnStarter pro to trim your bushes typically runs between $24 and $205 per job, or $85 on average. Costs depend on the number of bushes and their height. Tiny shrubs require less effort to trim, of course, while towering bushes that need ladders push costs higher.
Some landscapers also quote per hour, between $45 and $85. In this case, your final bill rides on how long the job takes and how many crew members are on site.
This pricing guide draws on LawnStarter job data from the past year across cities throughout the U.S., so you can get a clearer idea of what this lawn maintenance task may cost.
Cost by Location
Your costs for hiring a professional to trim the bushes in your yard will vary depending on where you live. Typically, bigger cities and metro areas will have a higher cost due to the living costs, while smaller cities and towns will have lower costs.
Moreover, southern states go through a longer growing season, so you’ll need more frequent trimmings, and will end up paying more if you live there.
The table below offers a snapshot of bush trimming costs across the country, based on LawnStarter data from May 2025 to May 2026:
Cost by Bush Size
Generally speaking, whether your contractor charges an hourly rate or by the bush, you’ll have to pay more to have a large bush trimmed than a small bush. As you might expect, the per-bush flat rate increases along with bush size.
Size affects per-hour pricing, too, since large bushes will take longer to trim, resulting in a higher bill.
| Bush Size (Height) | Average Cost Per Bush |
| Under 5 feet | $20 – $108 |
| 5 to 10 feet | $23 – $169 |
| 10 feet or more | $59 – $369 |
Cost by Quantity
Having a large number of bushes (think 25 or more) trimmed at once can result in a lower price per bush. Some contractors give discounts for especially large jobs, similar to buying in bulk.
How much money you could save depends on your specific contractor. Ask about any bulk discounts when getting your quote.
Here are the average costs of trimming based on the number of bushes:
| Number of Bushes | Average Cost |
| 1 | $18 – $44 |
| 2-3 | $28 – $81 |
| 4-6 | $52 – $124 |
| 7-10 | $77 – $190 |
| 11-20 | $110 – $309 |
| 20+ | $184 – $618 |
Cost Per Hour
Some landscapers scrap the per-bush model and bill strictly by the clock, typically $45 to $85 per hour, per pro. How long the job takes depends on the size, number of bushes, and their condition.
Compact and well-kept bushes might need only a quick touch-up, but if you have large shrubs that have gone several seasons without upkeep, they’ll likely require the use of a ladder, heavy shaping, and cleanup, so pros might charge past the standard range.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Even if your thumb isn’t particularly green, trimming your own bushes is possible. It can get more difficult, of course, depending on the size and location of your bushes. If you have an especially tall bush, for example, you may need to work from a ladder, which could be dangerous.
If you decide to take a crack at trimming your own bushes, you’ll need to spend around $165 on tools and equipment, including a cordless bush trimmer and pruning shears.
Here is an article to help you do it: How to Trim Bushes: Simple Guide for Homeowners
If you’re not handy with tools or if you have large bushes and overgrown bushes, it’s always best to hire a professional landscaper.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
There are several environmental and situational factors that can raise or lower the cost of professional bush trimming.
Location
If your bushes are too close to a building, fence, power lines, or other structures, they could be more difficult to trim than bushes out in the open. The same goes for bushes in the middle of a landscape bed or otherwise cornered into a tight spot.
Contractors who charge by the bush may ask for a higher rate for bushes in difficult locations such as these. If your contractor charges by the hour, your bill will similarly increase since maneuvering around the bushes without causing damage will most likely take more time.
Tip: Include the location of the bushes in your job description to get a more accurate quote from your contractor.
Debris Hauling
When a landscaper is done trimming your bushes, all those extra branches, twigs, and leaves must go somewhere. Many contractors will charge an additional fee to clean up and haul the debris for you.
Hauling fees can add to the total cost of shrub trimming, typically $30 to $100, depending on how much debris there is and whether or not the contractor will have to pay a dump fee.
Frequency of Service
Signing up for regular bush trimming service, usually once or twice a year, could result in a lower rate than paying piecemeal every time you want your bushes trimmed.
If your lawn care pro offers regular service plans, they will most likely suggest one to help you save on the cost of trimming your bushes.
FAQ
Generally speaking, the best time to trim your bushes is late winter or early spring, before the growing season. The worst time to trim is after August, as new growth could be damaged by enduring winter so soon.
The rules are a little different for flowering bushes. Bushes that bloom from old growth (the branches you would probably trim back) do better when you trim them after flowering, whenever that may be for your specific plant.
On the other hand, you should trim bushes that bloom from new growth before they flower.
Trimming and pruning are very similar, so the words are often used interchangeably. The main difference is that trimming refers to cutting back overgrown bushes, while pruning bushes means removing dead or diseased branches to improve the plant’s health.
You can find more information in our article: What’s the Difference Between Pruning and Trimming?
Hire a Pro to Trim Your Bushes
Bush trimming is a necessary part of landscape maintenance, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional bush trimming pro from LawnStarter to do it for you. If you don’t have confidence in your own landscaping skills or if you’d rather just simply sit back and relax, a pro can make sure your yard looks pristine.
Read More:
– How to Trim a Tree
– Tree Trimming Cost Guide
– Hedge Trimming Cost Guide
Main Image: Gardener trimming a thick green hedge outdoors. Image Credit: Todayphoto / Adobe Stock
