A clean, well-maintained yard is an essential part of a relaxing outdoor living space, but it can be difficult to maintain on your own. You can expect to pay between $216 and $462 for a professional to clean up a standard 1/4-acre property.
Most yard cleanup packages cover tasks such as raking and mulching leaves, bagging and hauling away yard waste, and cleaning garden beds, but the costs can vary depending on several factors. A big job can cost as much as $1,700 and a minor sprucing up as little as $65.
This guide draws data from both big and small cities so you can get a better idea of how much yard cleanup will cost in your region.
Cost by Location
The total cost of yard cleanups can vary by location. The higher the cost of living in your area, the more you will pay for labor. Rural areas generally have lower labor costs than big cities like New York.
Moreover, if you live in an area that frequently gets heavy storms, yard cleanup services will be in higher demand and will likely cost more than in other areas.
The table below illustrates the average cost to clean an average-sized yard across the country:
| City | Average Cost Range (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $210 – $449 |
| New York, NY | $245 – $591 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Dothan, AL | $195 – $385 |
| Atlanta, GA | $198 – $404 |
| Orlando, FL | $220 – $448 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| South Bend, IN | $217 – $477 |
| Chicago, IL | $227 – $507 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Salem, OR | $205 – $435 |
| Seattle, WA | $227 – $501 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Roswell, NM | $207 – $422 |
| Houston, TX | $217 – $440 |
| San Diego, CA | $225 – $496 |
Cost Estimator by Yard Size
Yard cleanup typically costs around $0.02 to $0.07 per square foot, but pros might also charge a fixed rate based on the size of your yard.
Here are the average costs of yard cleanup based on yard size:
| Yard Size | Typical Cost |
| 1/5 acre | $165 – $360 |
| 1/4 acre | $215 – $465 |
| 1/2 acre | $410 – $900 |
| 3/4 acre | $650 – $1,200 |
| 1 acre | $835 – $1,700 |
Cost of Labor
Some landscapers charge by the hour, typically at a rate of $45 to $95 per hour. That rate already covers their labor, basic equipment, and debris loading.
If your yard needs only a quick rake-and-bag, you might pay for just an hour or two. But a heavily overgrown lot with fallen limbs can keep the crew on site for longer and raise the final bill.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
The difficulty of DIY yard cleanups varies depending on the season and the yard’s needs. Some jobs are simple, while others require heavy equipment and long hours in the blistering sun.
If you already have the necessary tools and the right skills and don’t mind a little elbow grease, cleaning up your yard on your own is a more affordable option.
If you don’t have the tools and equipment, you’ll be looking at a bill of around $920, including power tools like a mulching mower, lawn aerator, leaf blower, and hedge trimmer. However, that’s a one-time cost.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
In addition to yard size, the cost of a yard cleanup depends on the following factors:
Type of Cleanup
A yard cleanup may include the following services, and the price fluctuates based on the services you need:
- Mulching leaves means running over the leaves with a mulching mower to shred them into small pieces and leaving them in your lawn as natural mulch. It is the cheapest way to clean up leaves from your yard. If you have less than 50% leaf coverage on your lawn, your lawn care pro may decide mulching is the best option for you.
- Raking leaves costs more than leaf blowing and mulching because this yard work is harder and takes longer.
- Bagging yard waste, including leaves, twigs, and other debris, adds to the overall cleanup cost. Large amounts of debris will have to be bagged or blown into a disposal area.
- Trash or furniture removal services will increase your cleanup cost and may require hiring a separate company.
- Hauling away debris (mainly larger debris, such as fallen branches) costs more than leaving it curbside for your trash service to pick up.
- Flower bed and garden cleanups typically cost more than cleaning a lawn because they require more delicate, detailed work to prevent damaging the plants.
- Wet leaves are heavier, so the leaf cleanup job will take longer and cost more than removing dry leaves.
Note: Pet waste removal doesn’t usually come with yard cleanups, so you may need to hire a separate company to remove the ick from your front or backyard.
Frequency of Visits
The frequency of visits can significantly affect the price of yard cleanup services. The more often your landscapers come, the less they’ll have to clean or maintain, which can keep your costs down. Some landscaping companies also offer a discount if you sign up for regular service.
Lawn Care Packages
Many pros offer lawn care service packages that include leaf removal and yard cleanups. Purchasing a package is a great way to save money on all these services.
Fall and spring cleanups included in a lawn care package may come with:
- Aeration
- Fertilization
- Bush trimming
- Flower bed maintenance
- Winterizing your lawn
Storm Damage
You will need more than an ordinary cleanup after a severe storm. Keeping an emergency cleanup savings fund is a good idea if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or other severe weather. A lot goes into cleaning a yard after a hurricane, and you’ll either have to do the work yourself or pay extra for it.
Seasonal Price Changes
The season also affects cleanup pricing because of differences in demand. For example, everyone needs their yard cleaned in the fall, so expect to pay from $185 to as much as $500 for fall cleanups.
Early spring is the second most popular time to clean the yard. You may be able to get a lower price, between $110 and $300, if you wait until the off-season to hire a yard cleanup service.
Junk Removal
After cleaning your yard, junk removal is the finishing touch to ensure a clutter-free and neat outdoor space. These services efficiently dispose of large debris and unwanted items, preventing your yard from becoming messy again.
On average, junk removal costs around $230 to $247 per load, depending on the volume of items and the service provider.
FAQ
The fastest way to clean your yard is by using a leaf blower and a mulcher. Some leaf blowers can mulch or vacuum leaves, but many people mow over the leaves with a mulching mower.
Note: This method won’t be sufficient if you need to remove large debris, such as fallen branches.
If you want to help your landscaper out and get ready before they arrive for your yard cleanup, you can do a few things:
• Gather up any debris and waste and either remove them yourself or put them in an area that is easy for the landscape maintenance pros to access.
• Remove obstacles such as toys from the site.
• Keep pets inside while the pros are working so that no one – either your landscaper or your pet – gets hurt.
Most homeowners do a full yard cleanup twice a year: once in spring to prepare for new growth after winter and once in the fall to remove fallen leaves.
A Clean Sweep
Yard cleanups are essential, but they can take a lot of work. You can save hours of your time (maybe even a whole weekend) by hiring a lawn care service pro to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from your yard.
Melanie Joseph and Maria Isabela Reis contributed to this article.
Common Yard Cleanup Add-Ons:
– Leaf Removal Cost Guide
– Lawn Mowing Cost Guide
– Aeration Cost Guide
– Stump Grinding Cost Guide
– Tree Removal Cost Guide
Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Photo Credit: Unsplash
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