Hiring a leaf removal service makes sense if you have leaves all over your yard and don’t want to rake, blow, or bag them. But what should you expect when you hire a leaf removal service?
Obviously, you want a leaf cleanup crew that is reliable and does a thorough job.
In this article, we’ll cover what to expect when it comes to leaf removal costs (what determines your leaf cleanup price) and how often you’ll need leaf cleanup (number of trees in your yard).
Leaf Removal Costs: What to Expect
The cost for leaf removal generally ranges between $107 and $435. What determines what you will pay?
- Yard size: Leaf removal costs less if your yard is smaller and more if your yard is bigger.
- Number of trees: If you have 20 trees compared to your neighbor’s two, your bill will be much more.
- Leaf removal method: Blowing and bagging leaves costs less than raking and bagging leaves (which takes more time and effort). Most expensive is vacuuming leaves, which is a specialized leaf removal service.
- Frequency: Some areas of the country (the Northeast, for example) need leaf removal weekly or biweekly. Recurring services typically cost less per visit than a one-time leaf cleanup.
The per-hour costs for the three methods of leaf removal:
- Raking leaves: $25 – $50
- Blowing leaves: $15 – $45
- Vacuuming leaves: $35 – $60
How often do you need leaf removal? “The frequency is dictated by leaf accumulation,” says Kumar Gonzalez of Depot Lawncare in Nashville, Tennessee. If it rains or is windy, the leaf-falling accelerates. “Leaf removal should be done once a week depending on what trees you have, how many you have on the property, when they lose their leaves, and the area you are in.”
Keep in Mind: Leaf removal costs also vary based on the company (so shop around), and some lawn maintenance businesses charge differently depending on your ZIP code.
Check With Your City or Town First
Before hiring anyone to pick up your leaves, check with your town or city’s leaf policies. Some municipalities offer a leaf-blowing program. For instance, the Village of Western Springs, Illinois, removes leaves from residential streets starting in mid-October and ending the last week of November. The village sends out informational postcards to its residents.
Leaves can be raked into the gutter, but the town cautions drivers that automobiles parked near piles of dry leaves could start a fire. Wet leaves are also an issue. Because grass clippings and leaves can pose a road hazard, especially when wet, some cities and counties require that you not blow your leaves out onto streets.
FAQ About Leaf Removal
Yes. Decomposing leaves help add moisture to your grass and soil (especially during drought), inhibit weed growth, and provide nutrients for your soil and plants.
You don’t want your leaves to wind up in the garbage dump, especially in bags that aren’t biodegradable.
Leaves picked up by some cities, including Indianapolis, do end up in a landfill but in a different area of it. After the leaves are run through a machine that separates the bags from plant life, the landfill workers place the bits and pieces in large piles that decompose. The next spring, gardeners can pick up mulch from the landfill.
A carpet of leaves can damage your lawn:
● Leaves block sunlight and oxygen from reaching the grass, smothering new spring growth or causing the grass to die.
● Leaf piles become excellent places for ticks, rodents, and other pests to take up residence.
Don’t Strain Your Back. Hire a Leaf Removal Service
Get back the time you lose raking, blowing, and bagging your leaves. You have better things to do on your fall weekends. LawnStarter’s local leaf removal service is easy and affordable. You won’t strain your back or wallet when you let pros handle your leaf cleanup.
Main image credit: Dean Hochman / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
