Lawn Care Pricing Calculator

Lawn mowing prices depend on lot size, region, and terrain. A typical residential lawn of 5,000-8,000 sq ft takes 30-60 minutes to mow and charges $40-80. Lots under 5,000 sq ft generally have a minimum charge of $35-50. Larger lots (10,000+ sq ft) may charge $80-150 or more. Always quote after visiting the site because hills, obstacles, and access affect time significantly.

Beyond mowing, lawn care businesses offer: edging and trimming, leaf blowing and cleanup, fertilisation and weed control, aeration and overseeding, mulching, hedge and shrub trimming, gutter cleaning, snow removal (seasonal), and lawn irrigation maintenance. Bundling services into packages with weekly or bi-weekly contracts provides predictable recurring revenue.

A solo operator starting out typically needs: a walk-behind or zero-turn mower ($500-5,000), trimmer/edger ($150-400), leaf blower ($100-400), truck or trailer ($5,000-30,000), fuel cans, safety equipment, and basic hand tools. Factor equipment depreciation and maintenance into your pricing - a mower used professionally needs replacement every 3-5 years.

Most states do not require a general business license for mowing and basic lawn maintenance, though a business license from your city or county may be needed. Applying pesticides or fertiliser usually requires a state pesticide applicator license. Check your state's department of agriculture website for the specific requirements in your area.

Commercial pricing often uses per-acre rates. Common rates range from $50-150 per acre for open flat lawns to $150-300+ per acre for complex terrains with obstacles. Calculate your effective mowing speed in acres per hour with your equipment, determine your cost per hour (labour, fuel, depreciation), add your margin, and you get a per-acre rate. Adjust for terrain, obstacles, and drive time.