Can you afford to have someone come in and take care of your landscape?
Lawn care prices do vary widely depending on the area of the country you live--and if you live in a rural, urban, or suburban area (urban areas tend to fetch higher prices).
Your costs depend on how much you are willing to spend and how much you want done on a weekly basis. Do you want only your lawn trimmed once a week, or do you want weeding, shrub trimming, fertilizing, and more? Lawn care prices can range from as little as $30 a week for a simple lawn mowing to $500 for a complete fall or spring cleanup.
When getting an estimate for landscape care, follow these tips to keep prices low and avoid sticker shock:
Weekly Lawn Mow
- The smaller the yard, the cheaper the price.
- Remove toys and other obstacles before the mowers arrive.
- Make sure your lawn is easily accessible to mowers.
Weeding
- The more garden beds you have, the more expensive to upkeep.
- Make sure you have beds mulched in the spring to keep weeding to a minimum.
Spring and Fall Cleanup
- The more trees on your property (and your neighbors'), the more expensive fall leaf cleanup.
- In the spring, the most time intensive labor is edging of flower beds.
- If the landscape company has to haul away leaves and other yard debris, lawn care costs go up.
If you're researching lawn care prices, visit Ohio State University's guide, "What to Look for in a Lawn Care Service." If you are choosing among large residential lawn care service companies, you may want to consult the Consumer Reports online article, "Lawn-care services: How they stack up."
