We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. We may receive compensation if you visit partners we recommend. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info.

Learn More

We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. We may receive compensation if you visit partners we recommend. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info.

Learn More

How Much Does Lawn Care Cost?

Average Monthly Cost
? All cost data throughout this article are collected using the RSMeans construction materials database.
Learn More

$80 - $180

Find costs near you.

Updated On

December 31, 2023

Why You Can Trust Us

Today’s Homeowner exists to help you maintain or improve your home safely and effectively. We uphold strict editorial standards and carefully vet the advice and resources referenced in our articles. Click below to learn more about our review process and how we earn money.

Learn More

Every homeowner wants a beautiful, healthy, green lawn. Unfortunately, it can be relatively challenging and time-consuming to maintain healthy grass. That’s why many homeowners turn to professional lawn care services for help.

The best lawn care services have the tools and expertise to treat any issue that arises and can provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to thrive. But you might be nervous or concerned about the price tag. In this article, I’ll break it down for you so you can understand the average lawn care costs.

Top Pick

4.9

VISIT SITE
Limited Time:
50% Off Your First Application
Best DIY Lawn Service
Sunday Lawn Care Logo

4.1

VISIT SITE
Limited Time:
$20 Off Smart Lawn Plan (SUNDAY20TOH)
Best Organic Treatments

3.5

VISIT SITE
Limited Time:
No current offers available.
Best for Landscaping

3.2

VISIT SITE
Limited Time:
$15 When You Refer a Friend

Lawn Care Service Pricing

Lawn maintenance services and prices can vary based on several factors. We’ll go over those below. Of course, the type of services you need will be the most significant cost factor to consider.

Here are some average price estimates for standard services:

  • Monthly cost for comprehensive lawn care: $150
  • Monthly lawn mowing cost: $180
  • One-time cost for lawn fertilization: $50 (typically as part of a service plan)
  • One-time cost for lawn aeration: $125
  • One-time cost for dethatching: $210
  • One-time cost for overseeding: $800
  • One-time cost for preventative weed control: $85
  • Monthly cost for reactive weed treatments: $85
  • Monthly cost for lawn pest control: $80
  • One-time cost for tree and shrub care: $600
Lawn Care Services
Residential lawn care plans will typically cost you around $150 per month. Individual services may start at $50.
GET ESTIMATES
Hydroseeding Service
Hydroseeding involves applying a water, seed, and mulch slurry to a bare lawn. It costs $0.05–$0.08/sq. ft.
GET ESTIMATES
Lawn Aeration
Aeration promotes healthy grass growth & soil drainage. Professional aeration may cost you $150–$250.
GET ESTIMATES

Factors That Affect Lawn Care Costs

The costs mentioned above are just averages, so you could find that your estimates fall well above or below these numbers. Many different factors can impact the cost of lawn care. We’ll discuss the most crucial things to consider below.

Services Needed

One of the most significant cost factors to think about is the breadth of services you need. Lawn fertilization alone will cost a fraction of the price of full-service treatment. Each additional service you add — options commonly include soil amendments, aeration, dethatching, weed control, etc. — will bump up your total cost. While scheduling multiple services at once is more expensive, they can often work synergistically to produce a healthier, fuller lawn.

Size of Your Lawn

The average costs above are estimated based on a standard property size of around 10,000 square feet. The prices for most services scale proportionately with your property size. A larger lot will not only require more time and labor for each service — but services that use fertilizers, amendments, or other treatments will also include higher product costs based on how much product your lawn needs.

Lawn Features

A square lawn plot with no obstructions is easiest to treat, but it’s unlikely that your property looks like that. Your lawn care professionals will need to work around your house, fences, patios, decks, garden beds, trees, and other obstructions to get the job done. The more decorative and elaborate your outdoor setup is, the more work the professionals will have to do to treat and service your lawn.

In some cases, additional equipment might be needed to get your lawn serviced adequately without interrupting or compromising your other lawn features.

Labor

Every lawn care treatment will include some labor cost at an hourly rate, and the less work your lawn needs, the lower your total will be. For example, suppose you have one technician applying a pre-emergent weed killer to your grass. In that case, you’ll pay far less in labor costs than if you need multiple professionals working together to service your lawn. Generally speaking, the more services you need, the more you’ll pay in labor. However, you might save money on hourly rates if you schedule multiple services at once.

Location

The location of your home will impact your total lawn care costs as well. Your local climate can determine to some extent what products are required to maintain a healthy lawn, which can affect your pricing. Services can range in price depending on the cost of living in your neighborhood, and the distance from the local lawn care pro to your home can increase travel time, which could also bump up the cost of service. If you live in a very rural area, it could cost more.

Find Lawn Care Cost Estimates In Your State

Grass Length & Type

Just as the climate in your area can affect the products needed to maintain a healthy lawn, so can the grass species on your property and the length of the lawn. If you’re requesting simple lawn mowing services for an overgrown lawn, your professional will likely charge a higher first-service rate with the expectation that your lawn will take longer to get under control.

Other services will vary based on the grass type. For example, warm-season grass often needs different soil amendments, pH balance, and nutrients than cool-season grass. Certain grass species are also susceptible to some weed killers, so more costly treatment options might be required.

Landscaper Experience & Insurance

Finally, the lawn care professional’s experience and insurance coverage can affect your total pricing. Generally speaking, more experienced technicians and companies come at higher prices, but their expertise usually yields better and faster results.

For example, hiring a well-established company like TruGreen with full insurance coverage and a long history of success in the lawn maintenance industry will probably cost a bit more than a local company that’s just a few years old.

Best Customer Service

4.9

Limited Time:
50% Off Your First Application

Lawn Maintenance & Services Costs

Let’s look closer at some of the services your lawn might need. I’ve gathered the national average costs for one-off and recurring lawn care services that many homeowners find beneficial.

Lawn Mowing 

Lawn mowing is the most basic lawn care service available, and it’s a requirement not only for lawn health but also to abide by your local municipality’s laws and regulations. You’ll likely need mowing once a week in the spring and summer when the growth rate peaks, and a biweekly mowing or service once a month is usually enough in the mid to late fall. Your total for mowing will be substantially higher if you have an oversized property.

Average cost: $30 per week or $120 per month

Watering

Some lawn care companies offer lawn watering services for homeowners who don’t have automatic sprinkler systems. Watering services are helpful throughout the harsh summer to keep your grass from burning, but they’re beneficial for homeowners growing new grass.

Average cost: $50–75 for 10,000-square feet, or around $400 per acre

Edging

Edging creates clean lines between the lawn and any border, like driveways, walkways, curbs, and sidewalks. Pricing for edging services is based on your property size and how many landscaping features the company needs to edge around. This service is often included in a landscaping package rather than completed as a one-off service.

Average cost: Between $20 and $100, depending o property size

Fertilizing

Professional Lawn care fertilization services provide the nutrients your grass needs to live — nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium — according to the current nutrient levels in your soil. Most homeowners benefit from two to four treatments per year and pay for a seasonal treatment package. Larger properties will cost more to fertilize due to higher fertilizer costs and more time required to complete the work.

Average cost: $50 per 10,000-sq ft

Lawn Aeration

Lawn aeration is a service that decreases and prevents soil compaction. Your soil naturally gets compacted with foot traffic, vehicle traffic, and precipitation. Heavily compacted soil slowly kills grass by preventing adequate nutrients and water uptake from the ground.

Aeration removes small cylinders of soil to loosen the dirt, providing the roots with oxygen, water, and sustenance. You need lawn aeration at least once a year. Larger properties will naturally cost significantly more to aerate.

Average cost: $125 per service

Lawn Dethatching

Over time, dead grass and brush can accumulate on top of your lawn, lowering its curb appeal and making it more difficult for sun and water to reach the roots. Excessive thatch can lead to shallow root growth, poor water drainage, and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.

During the lawn dethatching process, specialized machines or hand tools are used to rake or cut through the thatch layer and pull it up to the surface. This allows the lawn to breathe better and encourages deeper root growth.

This is something I would consider a “premium service” so it can be costly but will really help shape up your lawn.

Average cost: $210 per service

Seeding

Seeding is the process of putting down grass seed to grow new grass. You can seed on bare dirt or over an already-established lawn, in which case the service is called overseeding. You might want to check out our article to discover some methods for quick grass growth.

Standard Seeding

An immense amount of time and effort goes into maintaining proper soil moisture after seeding is completed, so you’ll pay much more if you need your landscaper to provide water services as well.

Average cost: $1,000 per 10,000-sq ft

Overseeding

Overseeding is the process of putting down grass seed on an existing lawn to fill in bare patches and create a thicker lawn. The cost can increase based on the type of grass you want and the size of your lawn.

Average cost: $300–500 per 10,000-sq ft

Pest Control

Many lawn care companies offer pest control for outdoor pests, including ants, spiders, mosquitoes, lawn grubs, fleas, and ticks. Pest control services for these insects typically cost around $80 for a single service, and you might require monthly or quarterly treatments depending on the pest you’re trying to eradicate. The cost will likely increase for larger properties, as more pesticides and labor will be required to get the job done.

Some lawn specialists offer perimeter pest control for termites as well. Termite treatment most often involves bait stations being placed around the outside of your property. The installation cost averages around $1,750, and ongoing inspections are usually required and priced separately.

Weed Control

Nearly every homeowner will battle with a weed-infested lawn at some point, so weed control is a popular service to request from lawn care professionals. Pre-emergent and post-emergent weed treatments will differ in cost.

Pre-Emergent Weed Control

Pre-emergent weed control is typically completed in the spring before weeds take root on your property. The chemicals usually prevent the root growth of weeds and grass, so you should administer these treatments before weeds pop up and only on well-established lawns. Larger properties typically cost significantly more.

Average cost: $85-100 per application

Post-Emergent Weed Control

Post-emergent weed control is best for properties where weeds have already taken root, so the services are most useful in the summer or early fall. Each service will include spot treatment for areas where weeds appear. This cost can go up significantly if you have a lot of weed growth on your property.

Average cost: $60-80

Winterizing

Winterizing your lawn consists of preparing it for dormancy throughout the winter. This service often involves a full fall cleanup of sticks, leaves, and other lawn debris that could kill the grass over time and fertilization for cool-season grasses that need additional nutrients to thrive in the fall and survive through the winter. Winterization usually costs around $80 as a one-time service. Many homeowners opt to get their irrigation systems winterized simultaneously for an additional $100, on average.

Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is another popular service that only a select few landscaping maintenance companies provide, TruGreen being one of them.

Pruning your trees will help improve the appearance of your trees and promote healthy growth, minimizing competition for sunlight between branches and reducing dead or dying areas for overall health. Tree trimming is usually priced at around $300 per small-to-medium tree or about $600 for larger trees. Of course, your total will depend on the number of trees that need trimming.

Keep in mind that a unique way to cut costs of tree removal and trimming could be to hire an actual tree trimming company instead of a lawn care service. These companies may be able to perform the job at a lower rate because it’s a primary service.

Landscaping

While many homeowners commonly refer to general lawn care as “landscaping,” this typically means landscaping design. This service can include designing or installing edging for walkways, mulching, and implementing landscaping features like pergolas, garden beds, decks, patios, outdoor lighting, and more. Landscaping design services will vary wildly in price depending on what features you want. You could pay as little as a few hundred dollars or several tens of thousands of dollars based on your needs.

Are you just starting out in landscaping and looking to gain more knowledge? You may want to explore our landscaping for beginners manual.

Leaf Removal

A yard cleanup or routine leaf removal is another common lawn service. This one is self-evident from the name and includes either ongoing services or a one-off bulk removal. The typical cost for a 10,000-square-foot property is around $150, with larger properties demanding a higher average price.

Best Customer Service

4.9

Limited Time:
50% Off Your First Application

Additional Costs & Considerations

In addition to all of the above service costs, you’ll have to consider a few other things if you want to estimate your lawn service costs appropriately.

Some lawn maintenance professionals offer deals and discounts for packages or multiple services or for treating specific lawn health issues. You can sometimes save money in the long run by completing routine upkeep rather than one-off temporary fixes for problems.

Some of the additional cost factors to consider are explained below:

  • Travel Expenses: Depending on the distance between your lawn care professional’s headquarters and your home, you might incur additional travel expenses. These range from a small $15 charge to up to around $100 for long-distance travel, although expenses over $100 are rare.
  • Package Deals: Most homeowners choose landscaping packages rather than bother with one-off services. A package not only lets you “set it and forget it,” but most lawn care companies will offer a significant lawn care routine discount if you schedule multiple seasons’ worth of services ahead of time. Some companies, like TruGreen, have a multitude of lawn care package options plus a la carte offerings for full customization.
  • Upkeep Costs: Lawn upkeep involves preventative maintenance that helps avoid future expenses and keeps ongoing costs relatively low. For example, once you get your lawn looking beautiful, some routine maintenance that comes at a lower price will go a long way in maintaining that aesthetically pleasing yard and keeping future costs down.
  • Lawn Health Issues: Lawn care professionals will often charge more for lawn health issues, like severe pest infestations, brown patch disease, dollar spot lawn disease, snow mold, and other common problems. This is another reason why ongoing maintenance is so valuable.

Why You May Need Lawn Care

While a beautiful lawn is most homeowners’ dream, some might wonder why professional lawn care is required to get to that point. It’s possible to DIY your lawn care, but hiring a professional like TruGreen provides three major benefits.

Save Money

First, hiring a professional to take care of your lawn maintenance can often save you money. While you’ll spend more for the same services, the care of a professional can help get you the best and fastest results possible, avoid mistakes and lawn damage, and provides expert advice and guidance to include only the products and services you need.

Save Time

One of the more apparent benefits of hiring a professional is that you’ll save time. Lawn care is hugely time-consuming, especially if you’re unsure how to deal with specific issues. Professionals have the tools and experience to get the job done quickly, leaving you more time to enjoy your yard and take care of other home improvements.

Curb Appeal

Hiring a professional lawn care company will almost always lead to a better curb appeal for your property. Experts like TruGreen use science and soil tests to decide which treatments will benefit your lawn the most. This leads to the healthiest-looking yard, garden beds, and overall property.


Hiring a Professional Lawn Care Service vs. DIY

As far as lawn care services go, you have your choice of a full-service company like TruGreen or a hybrid option like Sunday Lawn Care. You also, of course, have the choice of a total DIY solution. All of these options have pros and cons, which we’ll discuss below.

Best Professional Lawn Care Service: TruGreen

If you’re looking for a professional to handle your lawn care, TruGreen is one of the best options. With years of experience and success stories and a customer satisfaction guarantee, you can’t go wrong with the services it provides. It tackles everything from routine fertilization and soil amendments to tree and shrub care, aeration, and pest and weed control. It has many plans to choose from, plus a la carte services that let you fully customize your lawn care plan.

Read our TruGreen Review to learn more.

Best DIY Lawn Care Service: Sunday

Sunday Lawn Care is a semi-DIY solution, where the company provides you with the tools and products you need, and you supply the time and work of treating your lawn. The overall cost is much lower than TruGreen, but you don’t get the personalized care of a lawn care expert to carry out the treatments. Sunday is a good option for homeowners looking to save money on lawn care who don’t need the rapid results TruGreen provides. As a kid and pet-friendly lawn care provider, Sunday also uses products that are kid and pet safe.

Read our detailed Sunday Lawn Care Review to find out more.

Top Pick

4.9

GET ESTIMATES
Limited Time:
50% Off Your First Application
Best DIY Lawn Service
Sunday Lawn Care Logo

4.1

GET ESTIMATES
Limited Time:
$20 Off Smart Lawn Plan (SUNDAY20TOH)

DIY Vs. Professional Costs

Finally, you can choose to do everything yourself. I’ve always done my own lawn care and it can become somewhat of a hobby if you enjoy it. While this requires the most work, it’s also a great way to save money.

DIY lawn care can initially appear more cost-effective since you only need to purchase the necessary tools, fertilizers, and pesticides. However, the long-term expenses can add up, especially if you encounter challenges that require additional treatments or adjustments.

On the other hand, professional lawn care services come with a higher upfront cost, as you pay for labor, expertise, and specialized equipment.

However, they often prove to be more cost-effective in the long run. Professional lawn care companies can efficiently diagnose and address lawn issues which prevents costly mistakes, and makes sure the proper application of fertilizers and treatments.

Best Ways to Save Money on Lawn Care

Given the relatively high cost of all-inclusive lawn care, many homeowners will look for ways to save money in the process of treating their lawns.

The below tips will help you keep costs down and lawn health at a maximum:

  • Shop around: Get quotes from a few professionals, but be sure to compare based on value and not cost alone
  • Request a contract: Having a detailed contract will help keep costs under control
  • Look for deals: Many professionals offer discounts on spring services for new customers or for certain holidays
  • Carry out maintenance: Once you fix any existing lawn issues, carry out maintenance to prevent the problems from coming back

Compare Lawn Care Companies

Finding the ideal lawn care company for your needs can be confusing and challenging, especially given how many options you have. The table below shows a side-by-side view of the most popular lawn care companies to help you decide which is right for you.

CompanyTruGreenSundayLawnBrightLawn DoctorWeed Man
Websitetrugreen.comgetsunday.comgetlawnbright.comlawndoctor.comweedman.com/en-us
Cost$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Plan OptionsFive plans plus a la carte servicesThree plansCustomized PlansOne-off services onlyOne plan plus a la carte services
BBB ratingA+NRNRB+A-
Our Rating4.9/54.7/54.6/54/53.8/5

Want to see which of these companies is best to tackle your lawn care? Check out these company comparisons for more information:


Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, your grass won’t just maintain its rich, beautiful green color and perfect health on its own, so lawn care is essential if you want your lawn to look good. With how time-consuming and confusing DIY lawn maintenance can be, it’s clear why so many homeowners look outside for help.

TruGreen is our top recommendation for a professional lawn care company. It has many different affordable plans with add-on services for complete customization, years of experience, and proven science behind its work. It also offers a satisfaction guarantee on all of its services. Check out TruGreen’s plans today to see which one works best for you.

Best Customer Service

4.9

Limited Time:
50% Off Your First Application

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Care Costs

Is TruGreen a Rip Off?

Not at all! TruGreen’s services are backed by science and a satisfaction guarantee. The company has amassed countless positive reviews and maintains an A+ rating with the BBB. Its plans are more costly than DIY work, but they’re quite affordable compared to its competitors.


Which is the best TruGreen plan?

The TruGreen plans vary based on the services you need, so no single program is better than the others. If you just want the basic services, TruMaintenance is the most affordable. If you’re looking for white-glove service, TruSignature covers your lawn, garden beds, trees, and everything in between. You can also opt for the TruNatural if children or pets frequent your lawn.


Where can I get a quote from TruGreen?

You can check out TruGreen’s plans and get a free quote by clicking the button above.


What is a good lawn fertilizer?

There are many good lawn fertilizers on the market but a general purpose fertilizer with an NPK ratio of around 10-10-10 will provide the balance your lawn needs.


How much does it cost to get your lawn fertilized?

It costs around $100-150 to fertilize a 5,000 square foot lawn.


Article Update Log
8/25/2023
Reviewed for accuracy, cost data, industry best practices, and expert advice by Coty Perry.
Editorial Contributors
avatar for Coty Perry

Coty Perry

Expert Writer & Reviewer

Coty Perry is a lawn and garden writer for Today’s Homeowner. He focuses on providing homeowners with actionable tips that relate to the “Average Joe” who is looking to achieve a healthier and greener lawn. When he isn’t writing he can almost always be found coaching youth football or on some trail in Pennsylvania in search of the next greatest fishing hole.

Learn More

photo of Lora Novak

Lora Novak

Senior Editor

Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.

Learn More

Find Our Top Picks for Lawn Care Pros in Major Cities