Owning a home or business isn’t limited to caring for the structure itself; you also have to think about landscape maintenance and keeping a healthy lawn. If you’ve wondered, “How much is lawn care per month?” then you’re going to get your answer.
Yard maintenance costs vary depending on the size of the lawn, but did you know that grass type matters as well? The type of service you hire also affects the monthly landscape maintenance cost. Read on to find out how each of these aspects factors into the cost of lawn care per month to get that beautiful lawn.
Average Cost of Lawn Care per Month
How much does landscaping cost per month? The average lawn care cost per month is $100, but it can range from $65 to $150 each month. Some lawn care costs are as low as $40 monthly. However, it can go as high as $900 a month. These costs depend on several variables, which you’ll learn more about below.
Before you balk at any of the service costs, you should understand the importance of keeping a healthy lawn. The appearance of the landscape can greatly impact your business. If the grass looks overgrown, potential customers will feel turned off by their perceived lack of care. They might think someone who can’t maintain the lawn can’t handle their business needs, either.
Overgrown grass is also a safety hazard. If it grows too far over a sidewalk, it can be unsteady to walk on. Some grasses and weeds knot together and can trip pedestrians. Pests can live in overgrown grass and harm people walking by. These creatures can also get into your building to cause damage and make people sick.
Factors That Impact Lawn Care Costs
Lawn care isn’t a straightforward service that comes with a set fee. There are many different factors that impact what your monthly lawn care costs may total.
If you’re searching for a lawn care company because your landscape is in bad shape, your initial expenses will be higher. However, letting lawn care professionals take over means they’ll know exactly what’s needed to get your yard looking great. After they work their magic, the average landscaping cost per month will be affordable—you will save on labor costs, and they will ensure your lawn doesn’t slip back into a messy jungle!
Yard Size
The size of the yard is the most obvious factor that will affect the price of lawn care. Smaller yards don’t require much mowing because there’s less grass. Therefore, the service won’t need to take much time or use much gas to take care of your lawn. However, this is a blanket assessment. Small yards with flower beds or sidewalks cutting through them require more work.
Changes in yard and lawn size may necessitate a shift in pricing structure for the company, potentially moving from a square footage basis to an acreage basis. Additionally, factors like obstacles such as flower beds or sidewalks could result in a switch to an hourly rate for services.
Charging by the hour means the service will take care to tend to every aspect of your lawn. They’ll mow the grass, taking care not to bump or damage any benches, furniture, playground equipment, or flower beds in the yard. They’ll edge around any sidewalks or borders so the grass won’t grow over them.
Some companies will send out multiple workers for properties that are large enough to charge by the hour. You might worry about elevated labor costs for extra manpower, but the costs even out since they get the work done quickly.
Grass Type
The type of grass impacts the monthly landscaping cost of lawn care services because some are much easier to manage. However, it’s not uncommon for a property that looks like it has a yard of grass to actually be overrun with weeds. In this case, the company might treat the grass for weeds before they get to their regular maintenance.
Weeds can choke the roots of grass so they turn yellow, brown, and brittle and die. Then the weeds take over and require more time and effort to mow. Thick clusters of weeds can even damage some residential lawnmowers, so it’s best to allow the company to treat the weeds they find.
The type of grass also influences how quickly it grows. Warm-season grasses, like Bermuda grass, grow quickly in hot weather. Unless you want your yard to look overgrown, you’ll likely want your lawn care service to come out every week to tame this rapid-growing grass.
This grass is common in southern climates, so you’ll need more service during late spring and summer. However, you won’t need consistent mowing when the grass goes dormant in the fall. The ebb and flow of necessary services let the costs even out over the year.
Cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass. They’re commonly found in northern states because they can withstand frigid winters without experiencing root damage. They don’t grow rampant in the heat but do flourish in warmer weather. Spring and fall are the seasons when you’ll need more consistent lawn care for these grasses.
If you don’t know the type of grass in your yard, the lawn care company should be able to identify it for you. You can also reach out to university agriculture departments for further information on classifying grass.
Obstacles
In addition to the type of grass, any obstacles in the way of the grass will also change the price. Some landscapes have sidewalks, benches, flower beds, playground equipment, or trees in the way. The mowers have to slow down and work carefully to prevent damaging any of these obstacles.
If your yard has a sidewalk or pathway going through it, that requires extra edging. The lawn care company will charge an additional fee for this service—usually by square footage or hour. But it’s worth the expense because they’ll keep grass from taking over your pathways.
If the grass is growing over your sidewalks, your business looks bad and could cause people to trip on their way to the building’s entrance. It’s always worth considering how clean and inviting your business will look when you’re assessing possible lawn care services.
Frequency
The overall monthly cost of lawn care depends on the frequency of service as well. Weekly mowing services are often less expensive than biweekly services because the grass doesn’t grow as high between visits. Depending on the heat, rain, and humidity, a lawn can grow out of control in two weeks. The labor costs and service will require spending more time getting the yard back in shape.
You don’t have to mow in cold weather because the grass doesn’t grow as high as in summer. In fact, it’s not advised to mow if the temperature is below 40 degrees. Mowing grass that isn’t tall enough can put the roots at risk of cold weather damage.
Your lawn care company will know when to schedule service in the winter. If you feel like you must cut the grass in cold weather, make sure it’s dry. Also, ask the workers to leave the grass longer than they’d cut it in the summer. But in general, your landscaping expenses between the months of November and March will be virtually zero.
Scope of Work
Basic lawn care includes mowing the grass and edging where the lawn meets the street, sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot. This service is enough to keep your property looking neat and inviting.
Depending on your landscape, you might need additional services. Since the company is already coming to your property to mow, extra services might include a discount. You can always ask if there’s a bundle so you can use the same workers to take care of your complete landscape.
Lawn Care Services
Lawn care companies, as well as lawn care professionals, charge for their lawn maintenance services in different ways. Some charge per square footage or acre. Others charge an hourly rate per visit. They might give discounts for additional lawn mowing services beyond mowing since they’re already on your property. Regardless of how they charge, lawn care experts can bill you per visit, per week, or per month.
Lawn Mowing
Mowing itself costs about $135 on average. This includes cutting the grass, edging the yard, and using a weedeater. Not only does regular mowing keep your yard looking nice and trim, but the grass also stays healthier with maintenance.
For smaller residential yards, lawn care companies usually charge by square foot, and the charge can range from $0.01 to $0.05 per square foot. This method of estimation is especially efficient if your lawn has large areas of the landscape that don’t require a lawn mower.
How much is lawn service each month? Lawn services will charge by the acre for expansive business properties or large, rural lawns. The amount per acre is slightly higher than per square foot since the company uses more gas to reach every edge of the property. However, you typically get discounts for additional acres.
For example, when it comes to lawn care services, one acre can cost $50 to $100. But with more property, you’ll see a shift in price, such as:
- Two acres average $75 to $150 instead of $100 to $200
- Three acres average $125 to $275
- Four acres average $175 to $375
Therefore, having more business property doesn’t mean you’ll be paying two or three times more per acre.
If you have obstacles in the way, such as fences, benches, landscaped areas, or playground equipment, the company might charge by the hour. This change in lawn care pricing structure is because they have to carefully maneuver around whatever is in the way, which takes more time.
Some services send multiple workers to the same property. While you might feel like you’re paying more for the additional people, your overall lawn maintenance cost remains the same. More workers get the job done quickly, so don’t expect to pay for more hours.
Fertilizing
The average cost of fertilizing is about $220. If you understand the different types of fertilizer to use on grass, you can fertilize the landscape yourself. But hiring your lawn care crew to do it ensures they’ll use the right product and do it at the right time.
Spring is the best time to fertilize the grass. Watch for the grass to start growing, so you know the soil temperature is 55 degrees. Fertilization with more nitrogen is ideal for grass because it keeps the green color bright. Nitrogen-rich grass is less susceptible to disease as well.
Weeding
Many people find that their grass has more weeds than healthy blades of grass, but even weeds can look green and healthy. Standard mowing can help with weed control if they grow with your grass. But if you have flower beds or shrubbery in your landscape, you might want to pay extra for a premium weeding service.
The average cost of weeding is $75 per month. You can do the weeding yourself if you have the time, but paying someone is efficient and ensures they remove the right greenery. You don’t want to accidentally uproot a budding plant!
It’s worth hiring someone to weed your flower beds as soon as you notice the unusual growth. Weeds can strangle the plants you’re trying to grow. If you spot weeds when they’re seedlings, you can catch them early and prevent them from flowering and spreading their seeds. Also, weeding and adding new grass seed to bald areas in your yard improves the overall color and appeal of your house.
Leaf Removal
When the temperatures change, the leaves change color and fall from the trees. They might be beautiful to look at, but leaves left on your grass can look messy and even harm the grass’s health. Take advantage of the leaf removal service your lawn care company offers.
Some companies will mow the grass because it chops up the leaves and makes them ideal for compost piles. Others suck up leaves or blow them into storage containers. Depending on the leaf removal method, this service can cost anywhere from $200 to $400. How many trees are on your property makes a huge difference in the expense.
Lawn Aeration
One important aspect of lawn care that often gets overlooked is lawn aeration. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This process helps the roots grow deeper and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.
The average cost of lawn aeration is around $75 to $200 per service. Some companies offer it as a standalone service, while others include it in their lawn care packages. Aeration is typically done once a year, usually in the fall or spring when the grass is actively growing.
Tree Trimming
Tree trimming is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and aesthetically pleasing landscape. Overgrown trees can pose a safety hazard to your property and neighboring areas, especially during storms or high winds. Tree trimming also promotes tree growth, improves the overall appearance of your yard, and prevents branches from rubbing against structures or power lines.
The average cost of tree trimming varies depending on the size and number of trees on your property. On average, tree trimming can range from $75 to $1,500 per tree. Factors that can affect the cost include the height and diameter of the tree, its location, and the complexity of the job.
Saving Time With Lawn Care Software
In today’s fast-paced world, time is of the essence. One way to streamline your lawn care business and save time is by utilizing lawn care software. This software can help you manage appointments, track customer information, schedule services, and even automate billing processes.
Lawn care software helps streamline appointment scheduling. Clients can easily check availability and schedule appointments with just a few clicks. This enhances communication and productivity.
Benefits of using RealGreen Software
RealGreen software is a comprehensive tool designed specifically for lawn care businesses, offering a wide range of benefits that can greatly enhance efficiency and productivity. Here are some key advantages of using RealGreen:
1. Streamlined Communication: RealGreen’s lawn care software allows you to easily communicate with your clients, staff, and vendors through automated messaging features. This ensures that everyone is kept informed and up-to-date on important information.
2. Enhanced Scheduling: With this lawn care software, you can create and manage schedules for your lawn care services with ease. This helps you optimize your workflow and ensure that appointments are efficiently organized.
3. Customer Management: Lawn care software provides a centralized platform for managing customer information, including contact details, service history, and preferences. This allows you to provide personalized service and build strong relationships with your clients.
4. Billing Automation: RealGreen’s lawn care software offers billing automation features that help streamline the invoicing process, reduce errors, and ensure prompt payment. This saves you time and effort while improving cash flow for your business.
5. Reporting and Analytics: RealGreen provides valuable insights through detailed reporting and analytics tools. This allows you to track key performance indicators, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimize your lawn care business.
Transform your lawn care business with RealGreen software, boosting efficiency, saving time, and delivering top-notch service to homeowners.
Benefits of using TaskEasy
TaskEasy represents the intersection of lawn mowing and cutting-edge technology, offering a seamless and simplified approach to lawn care services. Here’s why TaskEasy stands out as a revolutionary tool in the lawn care industry:
1. Simplified Ordering Process: TaskEasy leverages technology to streamline the process of ordering lawn care services. With just a few clicks, customers can schedule services in any of the 12,000 cities nationwide where TaskEasy operates.
2. Flexible Service Plans: Understanding the diverse needs of its customers, TaskEasy offers both weekly and bi-weekly lawn care service plans. These flexible options ensure that every homeowner finds a plan that best suits their lawn care needs, guaranteeing that their yard looks its best throughout the season.
3. Recurring Plans for Season-Long Care: With TaskEasy, customers can enjoy the convenience of recurring service plans that cover them all season long. This means consistent, reliable lawn care without the need to rebook or manage schedules manually.
4. High-Quality Service: TaskEasy is committed to quality. Customers are matched with insured local experts who provide top-notch lawn mowing services. This ensures not only the reliability of the service but also the safety and satisfaction of every customer.
5. Competitive Pricing: TaskEasy offers competitive rates that reflect fair market pricing. This approach ensures customers receive great value for their lawn care services, making professional lawn maintenance affordable and accessible to more homeowners.
By choosing TaskEasy, customers can focus on what’s important to them, safe in the knowledge that their lawn care needs are being handled efficiently, affordably, and with a quality guarantee. TaskEasy not only transforms the way lawn mowing services are ordered and delivered but also supports a vast network of local businesses, contributing to the community while ensuring customers’ lawns are impeccably maintained.
FAQ
Will frequent mowing aid in thickening my lawn?
Frequent mowing can aid in thickening your lawn by promoting lateral growth and denser grass. It stimulates grass to produce more tillers and side shoots, leading to a thicker lawn with time. It is important to mow at the appropriate height for your grass type.
What time of year is considered lawn care season?
The lawn care season typically spans from early spring to late fall, corresponding with the active growth period for most types of grass. The exact timing may vary based on the grass species and climate in your area.
What is the optimal time to water my lawn?
The most optimal time to water your lawn is before 10 in the morning to prevent evaporation by the hot sun. It is recommended to avoid watering late in the day or at night to prevent disease.
Proper lawn maintenance involves watering deeply but infrequently to promote a healthy root system.
What is the best way to measure the size of my lawn?
To measure the size of your lawn, calculate the area by multiplying the length and width (in feet). If your lawn has irregular shapes, measure it in sections and add the results.
Final Notes
When you want to know, “How much does lawn care cost per month?” you need to consider that it’s worth paying more for good work, especially if you need multiple services for your property. A well-kept lawn helps your home or business look clean and inviting. Invest in your business and hire a lawn care service to keep your grass in check.
