2024 Average Cost of Landscaping Maintenance & Prices // HomeGuide (2024)

Written by

Tom Grupa

Edited by

Sarah Noel

Average cost of landscaping maintenance

Landscaping maintenance costs $100 to $200 per month on average or up to $300 per month for large yards. This includes lawn care, gardening, and general yard upkeep. The total cost depends on the yard size, location, amount of work, and visit frequency.

Landscaping maintenance cost
Landscaping MaintenanceAverage Cost Per Month
National Average Cost$150
Minimum Cost$100
Maximum Cost$300
Average Range $100 to $200

Popular landscaping maintenance services

Common landscaping maintenance services include:

  • Landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour.

  • Sod installation costs $1 to $2 per square foot.

  • Mulch costs $15 to $65 per yard.

  • Landscaping rock prices are $50 to $160 per yard.

  • Snow removal costs $30 to $70 per hour.

Tree trimming & removal costs

Lawn service agreement often include tree trimming and removal as part of the grounds maintenance.

  • Tree trimming costs $200 to $900.

  • Tree removal costs $300 to $2,000.

  • Tree stump removal costs $100 to $400.

Contractors chop up or mulch large trees and branches on-site. Any part of the lawn left exposed is filled in with dirt and re-seeded.

When is the best time to do tree trimming?

Fall is the best to do tree trimming and remove overgrown branches that could cause injury during a storm. An arborist costs $100 to $250 per hour for professional pruning. Heavy pruning in summer can harm the tree.

To avoid killing the tree, hire an arborist with these certifications:

  • ISA Certified Arborist

  • TDA Commercial Pesticide Applicators License

  • Tree Risk Assessment Qualified

  • American Society of Consulting Arborists member

  • Commercial Arborists member

Lawn care prices

Lawn care costs $40 to $80 per hour for most average services, and lawn mowing prices are $30 to $85 per visit. Prices vary according to how many visits are necessary, the treatments needed, and the lawn size.

Full-service lawn care can include:

  • Weekly or biweekly mowing

  • Aeration and fertilizing

  • Weed-control treatments

  • Spring and fall yard cleanups

  • Garden cleanup and mulching

  • Hedge and tree trimming

Lawn fertilizing cost

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The cost to fertilize a lawn is $65 to $100 per application. Most lawns need 4 to 6 fertilizer treatments per year, according to the climate. Organic fertilizers typically cost more than chemical fertilizers.

Lawn aeration costs

Lawn aeration costs $75 to $250. Aeration helps ensure the soil is permeable to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. Landscapers advise aerating before re-seeding a lawn.

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Dethatching cost

Lawn dethatching costs $100 to $300 on average. Dethatching removes compacted natural debris above the grass roots to let in more air, water, and nutrients into the soil. The best time to dethatch a lawn is early spring or late fall.

Sprinkler system install & repair costs

Asprinkler system costs$1,800 to $5,200, depending on the lawn size and if landscaping is already installed or not.Sprinkler system repairs cost$100 to $400on average, or$50 to $100 per hourfor a professional plumber.

Installing adrip irrigation system costs$300 to $1,200 per zoneon average.

Leaf removal costs

Leaf removal costs $150 to $350 on average, depending on the lawn size, amount of leaves, and disposal fees for hauling debris. Leaf removal is important because a thick layer of dead leaves left on a lawn will suffocate and kill the grass.

Lawn weeding costs

Weed control costs $50 to $125 per application. Manually pulling weeds by hand costs $50 to $100 per hour for a 2-person crew. Stop weeds from spreading by uprooting them in spring.

Remove all clippings after mowing weeded areas to prevent weeds from reseeding.

Pest control prices

Pest control pricesare $80 to $120 per visit according to the type and severity of the infestation. Severe pest problems require up to 3 to 6 months of treatments.

Types of pests to watch out for:

  • Cinch bugs– These pests are common in St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia grasses growing in hot and arid climates. A natural method of cinch bug control is to attract birds who eat these bugs with bird feeders and fountains.

  • Grubs– Grubs eat the roots of Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia grasses. Some species of worms called "Nematodes" eat grubs, but other pesticides can be more effective.

  • Fire ants– If found in small mounds, pouring boiling water on the mound can be effective.

  • Moles and voles– If you see broken sod and mounds forming in the yard, try pouring liquid or granular mixes of castor oil around the yard.

  • Japanese beetles, mole crickets, cut worms, army worms– Neem oil and sprays containing potassium bicarbonate can be effective on beetles. Ask for liquid concentrates that kill harmful worms without affecting birds, or earthworms.

  • European crane fly– This fly destroys plant roots and stems. Ask about insecticidal soaps and slow-dissolving granular pesticides to get rid of them.

Gardener cost

  • A gardener costs $75 to $250 for yard and garden maintenance.

  • Landscapers charge $15 to $45 per square foot to plant flowers.

  • Filling a garden bed with new topsoil costs $10 to $50 per cubic yard.

  • Compost costs $20 to $50 per cubic yard to add nutrients to depleted soil.

Preparing for winter

  • Gutter cleaning costs $100 to $250 on average. Cleaning the gutters protects the landscaping, extends the roof's life, and prevents damage to windows and walls.

  • Winterizing a sprinkler system costs $50 to $150. Winterizing protects the sprinkler heads and lines from damage when the ground freezes.

  • Sealing and waterproofing a deck costs $1.00 to $3.50 per square foot. Sealing a deck protects it from water damage, rot, warping, and mold growth.

Find your landscaping maintenance service

Before hiring a landscaping company near you, be sure to:

  • Compare multiple quotes from companies with 5+ years of experience.

  • Ask if they have horticulture or design training.

  • Verify that they have surety bonds and full liability insurance.

  • Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Request an itemized estimate and contract upfront.

  • Beware of the lowest bids that often yield low-quality results.

  • Don’t give a full payment. Follow a payment plan instead.

2024 Average Cost of Landscaping Maintenance & Prices // HomeGuide (2024)

FAQs

2024 Average Cost of Landscaping Maintenance & Prices // HomeGuide? ›

Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour for a 2-person crew, or $25 to $50 per person. Landscaping costs $4 to $12 per square foot for basic services. Small landscaping projects cost $300 to $800 while large jobs cost $2,000 to $4,000 on average.

How much do most lawn care companies charge? ›

The average lawn care cost is $749 for an annual service plan and $190 for a single service from a full-service lawn company, according to our February 2024 lawn care survey.

Why do landscapers charge so much? ›

Not only will skilled labor cost more, but also the upkeep of machinery and the labor required to haul supplies can affect price. Some equipment needs gasoline or extra maintenance, so when the cost of gas, oil and repairs rise, so will your bill.

What do most gardeners charge per hour? ›

The average hourly rate for gardeners in 2023 is between £25-£40 per gardener, and the average daily rate respectively between £200-£320 per gardener. Sole gardeners working by themselves charge slightly lower, but they are not always fully insured and equipped as skilled experts working in proven gardening companies.

Should I tip the landscaper? ›

Is Tipping a Landscaper Mandatory? Again, tipping your local landscaper is not mandatory—and it's uncommon after one-time jobs or routine lawn services. Most landscapers don't expect tips at all, but the standard tip is an annual or seasonal bonus. At the end of the day, there's no hard and fast rule.

What is a good profit margin for lawn care? ›

The typical net profit margin in lawn care and landscaping ranges from 5% to 20% per job. The more expenses you have, the less profit you come back with in the end. So it's essential to know your costs, how much they are per job, and what's factoring into your bottom net profit line.

Should I tell landscaper my budget? ›

If you have a plan for your landscaping that is beyond the limits of your budget, that's ok. If you communicate that with your contractor and be realistic with your goals, a solution can almost always be found. If your dreams are slightly over your budget, financing may be an option.

Is spending money on landscaping worth it? ›

Landscaping can add tremendous value to your home. It not only adds entertainment value, allowing you to enjoy your property more, but it also adds tangible value to your resale value. Knowing this, you don't want to skimp on your landscaping budget.

Are landscaping quotes negotiable? ›

Negotiating the landscaping quote can be an opportunity to tailor the project to your specific needs and budget. By following a few negotiation tips and being prepared for potential roadblocks, you can increase your chances of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

What is the hourly rate for a gardener in USA? ›

On average, however, a typical rookie gardener's hourly rate is anywhere between $30-40 per hour, while a gardener with a degree in horticulture and more experience can run as high as $100-150 per hour. Generally, the average cost for a gardener hovers between $50-75 per hour.

Do gardeners make a lot of money? ›

Gardeners and landscapers in the United States typically earn an average hourly wage of $16-$20, with an annual salary ranging from $30,000 to $40,000.

Is gardening an expensive hobby? ›

Gardening can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be. These money-saving tips from industry insiders will dramatically cut the costs – from getting plants for free, to a touch of DIY. It's easy to overspend on gardening – buying costly plants, treatments, and equipment.

How much to give a landscaper at Christmas? ›

Landscaper or gardener

$25 to $50 per worker or the cost of one service. The same approach works here if you have a crew of regular landscapers. Tip the team's lead, and let them divvy out the funds as they see fit.

How do you fire a landscaper nicely? ›

Be upfront: Do not initiate small talk and be upfront with there being bad news. This ensures you have their entire focus. Communicate the contract termination: Let the crew member know that their contract has been terminated while providing supporting context as concise as possible.

Is being a landscaper stressful? ›

Stress in the workplace is common across industries, and, unfortunately, landscaping is no exception.

How often should a lawn be mowed? ›

Frequency of Mowing

The rate of grass growth and desired height of your lawn determine how often you need to mow. Typically, mowing once a week during the growing season should suffice to keep your lawn healthy. The rest of the time, you can reduce the frequency of cutting to every other week, as necessary.

How long does it take to mow 10,000 square feet? ›

I have about 10,000 sq ft and use a 48 inch Scag walk behind, mowing takes 15 minutes.

How long does it take to mow an acre? ›

Mowing acres per hour calculator. I takes approximately 2.5 hours to mow an acre with a 19″ push mower, 35 minutes with a 42″ ride on mower, and 20 minutes with a 60″ zero turn mower. This is based on short grass, with minimal obstacles or slopes and reasonable fitness levels for the calculations with the push mower.

Is lawn care a good business to start? ›

It's an easy business idea that will literally turn green grass to green cash. And in case you're worried about its seasonal life span, lawn care is a business you can easily run on the side while keeping your main source of income alive.

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