The key to maintaining a beautiful lawn is mowing the grass. A professionally maintained lawn will cost you between $30 and $65. Prices will vary depending on the size of your yard and how challenging the terrain is to mow around (i.e., steep slopes or garden beds). The national average cost of lawn mowing is about $50.
Lawn mowing is one of the most popular services provided by lawn care companies. Every mowing stimulates the grass to grow, creating a lush look. It also inhibits weed development and nourishes your lawn. Let’s discuss how much you should expect to pay for lawn mowing.
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Lawn Mowing Costs in 2023
The simple formula is that the more grass you have, the more expensive the grass cutting service. It also stands to reason that a large backyard that is difficult to access, with multiple obstructions and a slope, will cost more than a simple, small front yard.
Many landscaping experts bill their clients between $35 and $70 per hour. However, some choose to charge a set rate for each service. If you add services like weeding, fertilizing, leaf disposal, edging, aeration, sod replacement, or overseeding to your lawn care, the price will go up.
Companies may provide year-round choices with a contract instead of charging per visit. They’ll often lower the average cost of each visit if you sign a contract since you’ve committed to several months of planned appointments.
| National Average Cost (Per visit) | $50 |
| Typical Price Range (Per visit) | $30 – $65 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $19 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $650 |
Lawn Mowing Cost Estimator by Size
Lawn care providers may charge by the square foot. Expect to pay a minimum for less than 5,000 square feet. The average minimum cost for lawn mowing service is $30. Even if the area is small, the landscaper will have to account for travel expenses and time, thus the minimum fee.
How big is your lot size? The average size of home lots in the U.S. is shrinking. The median lot size in 2019 was about 8,100 square feet, or between 1/4 and 1/8 of an acre.
| Project Size | Average overall cost |
| 5,445 sq. ft. or 1/8 acre | $31 – $48 |
| 10,890 sq. ft. or 1/4 acre | $40 – $51 |
| 21,780 sq. ft. or 1/2 acre | $61 – $79 |
| 43,560 sq. ft. or 1 acre | $104 – $130 |
Other Factors That Affect Cost
In addition to lawn size, multiple factors determine average lawn mowing costs. Ease of access, grass type, grass height, and labor cost are four other factors that may affect your lawn mowing price.
Ease of Access
Areas that are uneven, steep, or have to be worked around, like trees, shrubs, or landscaping features, will take longer to mow and, thus, cost more. The overall cost of mowing will rise if more places need to be cut or if the location is hard to reach. If the lawn isn’t level, learn how to level your yard before you call a pro to mow.
Grass Type
The type of grass covering your yard impacts how much it costs to mow and maintain. Cool-season grasses grow at different rates than warm-season grasses throughout the year. Warm-season lawns grow the fastest in the summer, but cool-season grasses need mowing the most in the spring and fall.
The season will determine how often you mow.
| Grass Type | Mowing Height (Inches) | Weekly by Season |
| Bermuda (Warm-Season) | 1-1.5 | Summer |
| Centipede (Warm-Season) | 2 | Summer |
| Tall Fescue (Cool-Season) | 1.5-3 | Spring, Fall |
| Kentucky Bluegrass (Cool-Season) | 2-3 | Spring, Fall |
| Perennial Ryegrass (Cool-Season) | 1.5-2.5 | Spring, Fall |
| St. Augustine (Warm-season) | 2.5-3 | Summer |
| Zoysia (Warm-Season) | 0.5-1 | Summer |
Grass Height
Has your lawn turned into the Amazon jungle? Expect your price to be well above the national average, even for a small yard. Most companies charge a long grass fee if the grass is over 6 – 12 inches. Some companies will charge an extra fee for lawns that are 12 inches and higher. (Like a super speeder ticket, the price increases significantly over a certain height threshold.)
Cost of Labor
There are lawn mowing companies that offer flat rates, but most charge an hourly rate or a set fee for services included in a package. Lawn mowing services typically cost between $30 to $65, depending on services and the size of the project. Most charge between $35 and $70 per hour.
- If a landscaper, for example, charges $50 per hour for mowing services, if it takes two hours to mow the entire lawn, your total fee is $100.
The third option is based on the square footage of the area to be mowed, usually with a minimum fee of, on average, $25 to $50 for lawns less than 5,000 square feet. When the area’s close to a full acre, your prices may change to acres for more accurate estimates. One acre of lawn mowing averages between $104 to $130.
Related Services
There’s more to lawn maintenance than mowing. Let’s look at a few additional services and their average prices:
- New Lawn
- Edging
- Aeration
- Dethatching
- Fertilizing
- Trimming
- Leaf Removal
- Pest Control
- Sprinkler System Installation
- Weeding
- Yard Cleanup
New Lawn
If your yard looks rough with bare spots, or you want to re-do a section of your lawn to make it lush again, you have a few options.
- Overseeding: Seeding a new lawn, or overseeding an existing one, is the cheapest way to create a green, healthy lawn. It takes longer to establish than other options like sod and may not be suitable for every location.
Seeding your lawn will cost between $0.10 and $0.19 per square foot. The average lawn costs between $680 and $1,815 to seed.
Overseeding can cost you between $650 and $1,650 depending on the square footage of your grass.
- Hydroseeding: Spreading a mixture of seeds, mulch, binders, fertilizer, water, and soil additives across a significant land area is known as hydroseeding. Although traditional seeding is still the most cost-effective method of growing grass for smaller lawns, hydroseeding will give you a new lawn far faster and is cost-effective for large areas.
Your overall hydroseeding expenses may vary depending on how much grass you need, how well your yard is kept up, and where you’re located. Hydroseeding a large area is less expensive than laying new sod and typically costs between $0.08 and $0.20 cents per square foot, including the mixture and application.
On a 2,500-square-foot lawn, landowners typically budget between $200 and $500 for professional hydroseeding.
- New sod: Installing sod results in a lush lawn almost immediately, unlike seeded lawns, which take one to two years to establish. Sod species, property size, and soil conditions will all impact your final cost.
Sod typically costs between $0.30 and $0.83 per square foot. If you want the sod professionally installed, raise the price to $0.87 to $1.76 per square foot to include labor and supplies.
When establishing a 1/5-acre lawn, or 8,712 square feet, homeowners typically spend between $2,813 and $7,603 on sod. Rates for professional installation range from $6,623 to $13,681.
Edging
Clean edges not only add curb appeal but also help to keep mulch in place. Edging creates an attractive boundary between the grass and flower beds by defining the regions and giving them a manicured appearance with wood, rocks, or brick materials.
A standard edging job, also known as curbing, costs most residences between $750 and $1,600. If you want to improve your curb appeal, this is one way to do it.
Aeration
It is recommended to aerate compacted soil to keep a lawn looking healthy and green. Core aeration allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach the grass root systems by creating tiny holes in the soil. Aeration is beneficial for yards that have a lot of foot traffic.
The average homeowner will spend $145 on lawn aeration, but the price ranges from $75 to $225. Yard size, aeration type, and location are the most significant factors in the final estimate. Aeration can cost up to $700 for large yards but only $40 for small yards.
Dethatching
Lawn thatch is a tangled layer of dead grass and other organic material that forms between the lawn and the ground. Thatch is beneficial in small amounts, but too much prevents the soil from receiving essential nutrients.
Dethatching removes excess thatch from your lawn, allowing your grass to breathe, absorb more sunlight, and remain green and robust. Dethatching a lawn costs between $160 and $225, with homeowners usually paying around $190 per hour for a professional service.
Fertilizing
The use of fertilizer will make your lawn greener. Because lawn fertilization provides your grass with the nutrients it requires, a soil test will help you choose the best fertilizer for your grass. The final cost depends on the size of your yard, the type and amount of fertilizer used, and whether you prefer to hire a professional or do the yard work yourself.
Hiring a lawn care professional to fertilize a lawn costs around $380 on average in the U.S., with fees generally ranging between $88 and $544 per job. The DIY option will cost less, especially if you already own a fertilizer spreader. The downside is possibly over-fertilizing your lawn and damaging the grass.
Trimming
If you want to keep your landscape looking its best, your grass isn’t the only thing that has to be trimmed regularly. Your hedges, shrubs, and trees require attention as well.
- Hedges: If your hedges need care and attention, consider including them in your landscaping package. Hedge trimming costs depend on different factors, including the size and type of hedge, the plants’ health, and the pruning job’s difficulty.
With an average cost of $63 per hour, hedge trimming typically costs from $48 to $79 per hour. For those who prefer to do it themselves, trimmers range in price from $33 to $320. You can also borrow one from a neighbor or rent one for four hours for about $30.
- Shrub and bushes: When bushes and shrubs are pruned, new growth is encouraged and boosted while dead or dying branches are removed. Reviving and reshaping plants in this way preserves their health.
Whether your contractor charges by the hour or the plant will determine how much pruning shrubs and bushes will cost. A fair rate is $50 to $75 per hour, or $6 to $15 per bush. In the US, homeowners generally pay a professional shrub trimmer $10 per shrub or around $63 per hour.
- Trees: When a tree needs to be trimmed, specific tree sections are removed, such as dead or diseased branches, buds, and roots. Pruning has several advantages including making them safer to be around. However, common mistakes made while pruning can damage or kill the tree.
The number of trees, their condition (which you’ll know if you hire an arborist to give your tree a checkup), and where they are planted will all impact your overall price. The average homeowner pays between $315 and $700 in professional tree pruning costs, with the majority paying around $475. It is possible to pay as little as $85 for a small job, while others may pay up to $1,267 for trees over 60 feet tall.
The cost can rise if you also need stump or tree removal.
Leaf Removal
By removing leaves regularly, you can keep your grass healthy while saving time, money, and energy. A thick layer of leaves can damage your lawn, attract bugs and diseases, and increase your stress and lawn care costs.
Most homeowners pay a professional to remove fallen leaves for an average cost of $300. The cost of leaf removal varies from $165 to $485, depending on the lawn size and the number of trees.
Pest Control
Insects and wildlife may wreak havoc on your lawn and garden. If left untreated, these pests can cause harm to your grass and flowers. The cost of lawn pest control varies according to the type of pest and the number to eliminate. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan for your lawn is the best option.
An exterminator may need to return more than once to address specific situations. You should expect to pay an exterminator $50 to $200 per treatment to eliminate outdoor insects. Costs for trapping and moving wild animals range from $255 to $600. Larger animals or multiple pest problems will likely cost more.
Sprinkler System Installation
Installing a sprinkler system has numerous benefits, including easy access, water efficiency, lower expenses, and a beautiful landscape. Your yard’s size and the sprinkler system components you choose are the primary price factors.
Installing an underground sprinkler system costs homeowners $0.60 per square foot, for a total average cost of $3,150. Depending on the area you want to cover, budget between $2,400 and $4,200. Sprinklers for small yards can cost as little as $825, while larger-scale systems can cost up to $8,300.
Weeding
Your home’s curb appeal and value will never be at their best if your lawn is overrun with weeds. Maintaining thick turfgrass provides efficient weed control, but getting there demands thorough weed removal.
Weed management may cost somewhere between $65 and $120, depending on the size of your lawn and the treatment you choose. You should budget $35 to $70 per hour if you hire a landscaper to hand-pull the weeds.
Yard Cleanup
Most homeowners clean up their yards twice a year: once in the spring to prepare for new growth and once in the fall to remove leaf litter. You may have to do extra yard cleanup after hurricanes or heavy snowfall. A well-kept yard is an essential element of a comfortable outdoor space.
The average cost of cleanup is $280 for a 10,000-square-foot yard. On average, professional yard cleanups cost between $170 and $375. However, some services can cost as little as $95 or as much as $1,125.
Many landscapers include yard cleanups and leaf removal in their lawn care packages. Getting a bundle deal is a great way to save money on these services.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Regularly mowing your lawn is one of the most important things you can do to keep it healthy and green. You should mow your grass from once a week to once a month. It’ll depend on the type of grass and the season.
There are many reasons homeowners mow their lawns themselves, including saving money or because they like working outdoors. You’ll need lawn care tools to maintain your lawn and take precautions to avoid injuries. Consider purchasing a shed to save space in your garage or carport.
| DIY Equipment | Cost Range |
| Lawn mowers | |
| Push lawn mower (Gas) | $140 – $567 |
| Push lawn mower (Electric, both corded and battery-powered) | $80 – $2,036 |
| Riding lawn mower | $1,299 – $4,539 |
| Zero-turn lawn mower | $2,399 – $15,000 |
| Robot lawn mower | $574 – $17,063 |
| Mulching lawn mower | $110 – $2,191 |
| Trimmers | |
| Gas string trimmer | $159 – $179 |
| Battery string trimmer | $48 – $275 |
| Electric string trimmer | $43 – $59 |
| Leaf blowers | |
| Gas leaf blower | $118 – $369 |
| Battery leaf blower | $156 – $454 |
| Electric leaf blower | $52 – $308 |
| Backpack leaf blower | $249 – $599 |
| Total Cost Range for Mower, Trimmer, and Blower | $175 – $17,937 |
Additional source: How Much Does a Lawn Mower Cost?
It’s important to note that these estimates do not include the cost of fuel, blade sharpening, replacement string, or repairs.
When all of these costs plus the time needed to maintain your lawn are considered, many people find that hiring a professional lawn service is a good option for them. This is especially true for those who dread mowing or aren’t available when it’s the best time to mow their yards.
Cost of Lawn Mowing by Location
Your location significantly impacts your lawn and the final cost because it determines which services are required, how frequently they are required, and the cost of living in your area. Labor costs are generally higher in cities than in less populated rural areas. Southern areas with a longer growing season will require mowing more often.
FAQ: How Much Does Lawn Mowing Cost?
Yes. Mowing your lawn regularly keeps it looking nice and stimulates grass growth and the formation of a robust root system. It can be the difference between a picturesque, lush lawn and a lifeless, dull disappointment.
During the growing season, once a week is usually plenty. The amount of rainfall, amount of irrigation, and rate of growth all have an impact on how often a lawn needs a trim. Follow the one-third rule, and only cut a third of the grass blades per mow.
Mowing, blowing clippings from concrete surfaces, and edging the perimeter are typical mowing service features. Depending on the service provider and the agreement, a lawn-cutting job may not include certain items, such as removing grass clippings (which is not recommended anyway). Always double-check your contract to verify that it covers all you want to be done.
Final Thoughts
Consistently mowing your lawn will help it grow lush and green, so budget between $30 and $65 for a professionally trimmed lawn. Consider the size of your yard and how difficult the landscaping is to mow around. The average cost of lawn mowing service in the United States is roughly $50.
Remember that lawn mowing charges will vary based on a variety of factors, such as the size of your lawn, the services you select, and how frequently you want your grass mowed.
Hiring a lawn care professional keeps your grass looking green and healthy. It is an easy and time-saving option that provides peace of mind. So start taking advantage of a weekly mowing service right away by scheduling an appointment with a local lawn care provider.
Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
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