How Much to Charge for Lawn Mowing: Pricing Tips for Lawn Care Pros

Lawn mowing prices typically range from $30 to $100 per visit, depending on lawn size, condition, and region. Hourly rates fall between $25 and $60, but many professionals prefer flat-rate or per-square-foot pricing for efficiency and clarity. Factors like terrain, frequency, equipment costs, and travel time all influence final pricing. Residential and commercial jobs follow different structures, with commercial work requiring more detailed scopes and contracts. Profits can be boosted through add-on services like edging, fertilization, and cleanups. The blog also outlines when and how to raise prices and avoid common pricing mistakes.

Figuring out what to charge for lawn mowing isn’t as simple as copying your competitor’s rates. Charge too little, and your profits disappear. Charge too much, and you risk losing the job.

The real challenge? Striking that sweet spot where your pricing reflects the value you bring without turning away customers or leaving money on the table.

Whether you're a solo operator just starting out, or you're managing a growing lawn care crew, this guide will walk you through the numbers, strategies, and pricing models used by successful pros across the country.

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How Much Is Lawn Service? [National Averages]

Across the U.S., most lawn mowing jobs fall in the range of $30 to $80 per visit, depending on factors like lawn size, location, and service frequency.

Here’s a quick breakdown by lawn size:

• Small lawns (under 5,000 sq ft): $30–$50
• Medium lawns (5,000–10,000 sq ft): $50–$70
• Large lawns (10,000+ sq ft or ¼ acre and up): $70–$100+

These prices assume basic mowing, trimming, and blowing. Extra services (like edging, weeding, or fertilizer) cost more.

Recurring services such as weekly or biweekly mowing, often come with discounted rates and help create predictable cash flow for your business.

Check out this guide for a deeper look at pricing strategy beyond mowing - How to Price Landscaping Jobs
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How Much Is Lawn Service Per Hour?

If you price based on time rather than area, most lawn care professionals charge between $25 to $60 per hour.

Hourly pricing makes sense when:

• You’re unsure how long the job will take (e.g., a first-time mow on an overgrown property)
• The job involves lots of manual work (tight corners, obstacles, hand tools)
• The client prefers transparency or is supplying their own equipment

However, hourly pricing can penalize efficiency. If you get faster with experience, you might end up earning less unless you raise your rates. That’s why many lawn care businesses eventually switch to flat-rate pricing once they understand job durations better.

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Sample Lawn Mowing Pricing Chart

Here's a general guideline to help structure your pricing:

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Note: Prices may vary based on the factors discussed above.

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Understanding Lawn Mowing Pricing Models

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to price lawn mowing services. The best pricing model for you depends on your business size, the types of properties you serve, and how predictable your jobs are.

Here are the most common models:

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1. Flat-Rate Pricing

What it is: You charge a fixed amount for each visit, usually based on lawn size and complexity, not the time it takes.

Why it works: This model is the most common for residential services. It’s straightforward, easy to quote, and gives your clients price certainty. For you, it rewards efficiency if you mow faster, you make more money per hour.

When to use it:

• You’ve done similar jobs before and can estimate time accurately
• You’re offering regular weekly or biweekly mowing
• The property doesn’t have too many variables (like steep hills or lots of obstacles)

Watch out:

• If you underprice and a job takes longer than expected, you eat the cost
• Don’t forget to factor in travel time, setup, and cleanup

Example: You charge $50 per mow for lawns up to 5,000 sq ft. Even if it takes you 30 minutes, the price stays the same.

2. Hourly Pricing

What it is: You charge based on how long the job takes, usually between $25 to $60 per hour, depending on your market and overheads.

Why it works: It’s fair in cases where you can’t predict how long a job will take. Overgrown grass, wet conditions, or a client asking for extra work last minute? Hourly pricing protects you.

When to use it:

• First-time visits with unpredictable lawn conditions
• One-off jobs or yard cleanups
• Commercial properties where scope may change
• You’re just starting out and still learning how long jobs take

Watch out:

• Fast jobs = lower income unless you set a minimum
• Clients might feel you “rushed” them if you’re efficient
• Communicate clearly how time is tracked and billed

Example: You quote $40/hour. A cleanup job takes 3 hours, so the invoice is $120.

3. Per Square Foot or Per Acre Pricing

What it is: You charge based on the exact size of the lawn.

Why it works: It’s easy to scale for large properties or commercial sites. If you’re using aerial imagery or mapping tools (like SiteRecon), you can measure accurately without visiting the site.

When to use it:

• You’re bidding on large properties or portfolios
• You want to standardize pricing across your team
• You use estimating software or mapping tools

Watch out:

• Doesn’t account for terrain difficulty or mowing complexity
• Some clients may expect you to charge less just because it’s big

Example: $0.01 per sq ft. A 15,000 sq ft lawn would cost $150. For acreage pricing, mowing 2 acres at $60/acre = $120.

4. Package or Subscription Pricing

What it is: You bundle multiple services into one monthly or seasonal fee, often at a slight discount.

Why it works: It builds predictable income for your business and creates “stickier” customers who don’t shop around every month.

When to use it:

• You offer a range of services (mowing, edging, cleanup, etc.)
• You want recurring revenue and long-term clients
• Your clients want convenience and consistency

Watch out:

• Requires good scheduling to deliver all services on time
• Be clear about what’s included vs what’s extra

Example: A $200/month package includes weekly mowing, biweekly edging, and one seasonal aeration. Even if the client doesn’t call you, they know the service is handled and you’re paid.

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Factors That Affect Lawn Mowing Prices

No two lawns are the same and neither are their mowing prices. Even with a base rate or standard pricing model, you’ll need to account for several key factors that influence how much you should charge. Here’s what to look out for:

1. Lawn Size

This is the single biggest driver of price.

• Smaller lawns (under 5,000 sq ft) are quicker to mow and usually priced between $30–$50.
• Medium-sized lawns (5,000–10,000 sq ft) fall in the $50–$70 range.
• Larger properties (¼ acre and up) can start at $80 and go up depending on complexity.

Tip: Use aerial imagery tools, online property records, or landscape mapping software to estimate square footage quickly without visiting the site.

2. Lawn Condition and Grass Type

• Tall, overgrown grass takes more time, dulls blades faster, and might require double mowing, charge extra.
• Wet or dense turf (like fescue or Zoysia) adds resistance, slowing down work.
• First-time mows often need a cleanup fee or an hourly rate.

3. Terrain Complexity

• Hills, slopes, ditches, tree roots, and tight spaces slow down mowing.
• Properties with flower beds, irrigation heads, or decorative rocks require extra care.

Solution: Add a surcharge or adjust your flat rate if the terrain demands it.

4. Obstacles and Accessibility

• Backyard only accessible through narrow gates? You’ll be lifting equipment.
• Lawn clutter (toys, furniture, pet waste)? That’s more time spent.

Charging a small obstacle/removal fee or setting expectations upfront saves frustration later.

5. Frequency of Service

• Weekly mowing is quicker and easier, grass hasn’t had time to grow wild.
• Biweekly or one-time mows often require more effort and time.

Pro Tip: Offer discounts for recurring clients to build predictable revenue and route efficiency.

6. Equipment and Labor Costs

Your pricing should cover:

• Equipment depreciation (mowers, blowers, trimmers)
• Fuel and maintenance
• Labor costs or your own time (with a margin!)
• Insurance, vehicle upkeep, and other overheads

Many new lawn care pros forget to account for wear and tear on gear. That $50 mow needs to support your business, not just your gas tank.

7. Travel Time and Route Density

If you’re spending more time driving than mowing, you’re losing money.

• Try to group jobs geographically
• Add a travel surcharge for properties far from your regular routes
• Use software or Google Maps to optimize daily routing

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Residential vs Commercial Lawn Mowing Rates

While the basics of mowing don’t change, pricing residential and commercial lawn jobs is a completely different game. The expectations, scope of work, and margin dynamics vary and your pricing should reflect that.

Residential Lawn Mowing

This is your typical homeowner client. They care about price, reliability, and curb appeal. Most residential jobs are smaller, simpler, and quicker to complete.

Common Characteristics:

• Lawn sizes range from 2,000–10,000 sq ft
• Clients prefer flat-rate pricing or seasonal packages
• You deal directly with the homeowner
• Jobs are mostly cosmetic, clean cuts, neat edges, and leaf-free lawns

Pricing Tips:

• Keep it simple with flat-rate or per-visit pricing
• Consider offering monthly bundles (mowing + edging + fertilization)
• Focus on consistency and communication as they want to know you’ll show up

Example: A weekly mow for a 5,000 sq ft lawn might be priced at $50–$60

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Commercial Lawn Mowing

Commercial work includes office parks, HOAs, apartment complexes, schools, municipal contracts, etc. These clients want professional-grade service, fast response times, and detailed documentation.

Common Characteristics:

• Large square footage (¼ acre to several acres)
• Complex scope, multiple service types, seasonal needs
• Requires contracts, insurance, and site visits
• Often involves working with property managers or boards

Pricing Tips:

• Break down estimates by service line (e.g., mowing, trimming, blowing, weed control)
• Consider per-acre or per-service-unit pricing
• Include details like frequency, equipment specs, and service guarantees in the proposal
• Allow room for negotiation and multi-year terms

Example: A commercial site with 2 acres of turf might be quoted at $100–$150 per mow, plus monthly maintenance fees for beds and trimming

Bonus Insight:

Commercial contracts often offer higher revenue per client but involve longer sales cycles, more documentation, and stricter quality controls. Many pros build residential routes to stay cash-flow positive and layer in commercial work for long-term growth.

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Add-On Services That Boost Profit

Lawn mowing may be your foot in the door but the real money is often in the extras. Add-on services not only increase your average ticket size, but also help you stand out in a crowded market. The best part? Many of these services require minimal extra time once you're already on-site.

Popular Add-On Services

Why Add-Ons Work

• Higher margins: You’re already on-site, so your cost to deliver is low.
• More value per visit: You make more without adding more clients.
• Customer stickiness: Clients stay longer when you handle more of their yardwork.

How to Offer Add-Ons

1. Bundle them into packages:

Offer Bronze, Silver, and Gold lawn care plans that include progressively more services.

Example:

• Bronze: Weekly mow + trim
• Silver: + Edging and blowing
• Gold: + Fertilizer + 1 Fall Cleanup

2. Upsell during estimates:

Use property walkthroughs to recommend specific services based on lawn conditions.

3. Use seasonal prompts:

In spring and fall, proactively suggest cleanup, mulching, or aeration.

Pro Tip: Add-ons should be priced not just for effort, but for value. If your edging transforms the look of a property, don’t be afraid to charge what it’s worth.

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Pricing Psychology: Competing vs Profiting

When you're starting out, it's tempting to win business by being the cheapest. But low prices don’t always lead to growth but they often lead to burnout. Smart lawn care pros price not just to compete, but to profit. Here’s how to shift your mindset.

1. Competing on Price Can Be a Trap

If your only strategy is to undercut the competition, here’s what you’re signing up for:

• Thin margins: Little to reinvest, no buffer for breakdowns or fuel hikes
• Low client loyalty: Budget-focused clients jump ship as soon as someone cheaper comes along
• High stress: You’re constantly chasing volume to stay afloat

If someone chooses you only because you’re cheap, they’ll leave for the same reason.

2. Price for Value, Not Just Time

Your pricing should reflect:

• The quality of your work
• Your reliability and professionalism
• The experience and ease you offer the client
• Your overhead and profit goals

Don’t be afraid to charge more if you’re delivering more like ****better communication, better equipment, faster turnaround, cleaner finishes.

3. Know When to Walk Away

Not every prospect is worth converting. Some warning signs:

• Pushback on every quote
• Disrespect for your time
• Unrealistic expectations with low budgets

It’s better to say no than take a job that drains your energy and profits.

“Bad clients cost more than they pay.”

4. Raise Prices the Right Way

Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to raise prices. As demand for your services grows, so should your rates. The best time to adjust your pricing is:

• At the start of a new season
• After adding new services or equipment
• When you’re booking out weeks in advance

Communicate clearly and professionally when increasing prices, most good clients will understand, especially if you’ve delivered value.

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Free Templates/Checklist: Download Landscaping Production Rates Guide

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Lawn Care Pricing Examples and Templates

Concrete numbers give your clients clarity and give you confidence. Whether you’re quoting a simple weekly mow or a full-service maintenance plan, having go-to templates helps standardize pricing and speed up sales.

Below are some examples and formats you can use or adapt.

Example 1: Flat-Rate Mowing by Lawn Size

Note: Prices may vary based on region, travel time, and terrain.

Example 2: Service Package Pricing

These bundled services can be paid monthly or seasonally, depending on client preference.

Example 3: Hourly and One-Time Service Pricing

For unpredictable jobs, quoting by the hour + a materials fee (if applicable) offers flexibility.

Download this free pricing template to quickly build consistent, professional lawn mowing quotes.

Use a Quote Template or Calculator

Want to speed up quoting? Consider using a basic spreadsheet template or pricing tool that factors in:

• Square footage
• Service type
• Frequency
• Add-ons
• Travel time
• Margin goals

You can also use mapping software (like SiteRecon) to estimate square footage remotely and standardize your estimates.

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Related Article: The SiteRecon Estimator: Build faster, more accurate, and reliable landscaping estimates

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Mistakes to Avoid When Pricing Lawn Mowing Services

Even seasoned pros sometimes undercharge, overpromise, or overlook hidden costs. Here are the most common pricing pitfalls in the lawn care business and how to avoid them.

1. Copying Competitor Prices Blindly

Just because a local competitor charges $45 per mow doesn’t mean you should.

• You may have different costs, equipment, or quality standards
• They might be undercharging just to stay afloat
• You risk leaving money on the table or losing work because you’re too cheap

Solution: Know your numbers. Price based on your costs, goals, and the value you deliver and not just what others are charging.

Fred Haskett breaks this down further in this estimating masterclass

2. Forgetting to Account for Overhead

Fuel, insurance, blade sharpening, marketing, equipment wear, these are real costs. If you only charge based on how long a job takes, you’ll slowly erode your profits.

Tip: Build a buffer into your pricing to cover both direct and indirect costs.

3. Underpricing One-Time or First-Time Jobs

First-time visits often take longer. Tall grass, obstacles, or neglected turf will need extra care.

Solution: Charge more for first-time or one-off visits. Communicate clearly why the rate is higher, most clients will understand.

4. Ignoring Travel Time

If you're spending 20–30 minutes driving to a job, that’s billable time lost. Over the course of a week, those gaps add up.

Solution: Add a travel surcharge or minimum price for distant properties. Better yet, build tight, dense routes to maximize efficiency.

5. Not Setting Minimums

If you say yes to every job, no matter how small, then you’ll stretch yourself thin for very little return.

Solution: Set a minimum charge (e.g., $35 per job or $100/month minimum) to make sure every job is worth your time.

6. Being Afraid to Raise Prices

Many lawn care businesses wait too long to increase rates, fearing they’ll lose clients. But inflation, fuel costs, and demand go up and your pricing should too.

Tip: Review your pricing annually. Loyal customers will stick around if you explain the reason behind the increase.

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Related Articles: How to Write Perfect Thank-You Notes for Landscaping Business

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When and How to Raise Your Prices

Raising prices is one of the most nerve-wracking but necessary parts of running a lawn care business. Done right, it helps you grow sustainably, keep up with rising costs, and reward the value you consistently deliver.

Here’s how to know when it’s time and how to do it without losing loyal customers.

When to Raise Prices

You should consider raising your rates if:

• You’re consistently booked out and turning away new clients
• Your equipment, labor, or fuel costs have increased
• You haven’t changed your pricing in over 12 months
• You’ve improved your services (better equipment, faster turnaround, more reliability)
• You’ve added value through add-ons or better communication

If demand is up and your profits aren’t growing, your pricing needs a tune-up.

How to Raise Prices Without Losing Customers

1. Give Notice

Let clients know in advance usually 30 days before the new rate takes effect. This shows respect and gives them time to process.

2. Be Transparent (but Professional)

You don’t need to justify every penny, but a simple explanation goes a long way. Example:

“Due to rising fuel and equipment costs and to ensure we continue delivering top-quality service, our rates will increase by $5 per visit starting July 1.”

3. Focus on Value

Remind clients what they’re getting: reliability, great results, a hassle-free experience.

4. Offer Options

Give them the choice to switch to a package plan or lock in old rates with a seasonal contract, if that fits your business model.

How Often Should You Revisit Your Pricing?

• Once per year is a good rule of thumb
• Review your books every quarter to check profitability
• Adjust mid-season only if a major cost change occurs

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Final Thoughts: Start Smart, Stay Profitable

Lawn mowing might seem like a simple business but pricing it right is anything but. Whether you’re cutting quarter-acre lots in a suburban neighborhood or managing large commercial sites, your pricing strategy directly impacts your profits, growth, and peace of mind.

Here’s what to remember:

• Don’t race to the bottom, charge based on value, not just time
• Use pricing models that fit your workflow (flat-rate, hourly, per sq ft, or packages)
• Factor in all your costs, from travel time to equipment wear
• Raise prices when the value or demand justifies it
• Offer add-ons and bundles to increase revenue per client
• Walk away from low-margin work as it’s not worth the stress

Smart pricing isn’t about guessing or copying competitors. It’s about knowing your numbers, knowing your worth, and building a business that doesn’t just survive but thrives.

Want to skip the guesswork? Start using SiteRecon Estimator to price jobs with confidence.

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FAQs

1. What is the average cost of lawn mowing?

Most lawn mowing services range from $30 to $80 per visit, depending on lawn size, location, and service frequency.

2. How much should I charge per hour for lawn mowing?

Hourly rates typically fall between $25 to $60, with factors like experience, equipment, and job complexity influencing the rate.

3. Is it better to charge per hour or per job?

Charging per job (flat-rate) is often more profitable and scalable, while hourly pricing is useful for unpredictable or first-time jobs.

4. What factors affect lawn mowing prices?

Key factors include lawn size, grass height, terrain, obstacles, service frequency, equipment, travel time, and add-ons.

5. Can I increase my prices without losing customers?

Yes. Give advance notice, communicate the value you deliver, and raise prices gradually, most clients will stay if they trust your work.