How Much Does It Cost To Maintain A Lawn?

$0.14

per sq.ft. (6,000 sq.ft. lawn; material, equipment, and labor)
Discover the costs in your city
Get your job done in 3 easy steps
1
Howmuch.net finds the best top-rated contractors in your area
2
Contractors give you free customized estimates
3
Compare estimates & hire the contractor that will best fit your needs

Lawn Maintenance Costs

Outdoor Cost Guides      Lawn Care & Gardening      Lawn Maintenance Costs

Lawn maintenance is a routine activity that may combine several tasks with the objective to maintain lawn health and appearance.

How much does it cost to maintain a lawn?

You will find that the cost to maintain an average lawn depends upon the size and accessibility of the lot, the variety and quantity of vegetation, local equipment rental rates, and the labor rate.

Cost breakout

In the following table the Labor Cost figure is what the able and prepared DIY persons should expect to save by performing the complete task.

Lawn maintenance: trim and treat 6,000 sq.ft. lawn, 5 large shrubs, and 1 large tree

Item Unit Cost Quantity Line Cost
Lawn: regular cutting and annual treatment; do edging and dispose of clippings; provide mower and other equipment; 5 hour task. $0.031 per sq. ft. 6,000 $188
Shrubs: five units each 4’ tall; annual trimming and treatment; dispose of clippings; provide power trimmer; 3 hour task. $15 per shrub 5 $75
Trees: one large tree 25 years old; tri-annual trim and treatment; dispose of clippings; provide saws, safety gear, and chipper; 5 hour task. $197 per tree 1 $197
Equipment and Material Cost $460 per job 1 $460
+ Labor Cost $30 per hour 13 $390
Total Cost $0.14 per sq. ft. 6,000 $850

Additional considerations and costs

  • Taxes and permit fees are not included.
  • Included is the typical charge for the necessary power equipment.

DIY considerations

  • This project may be suitable for the able DIY persons with a set of garden and landscaping tools as well as arborist skills, tools, and climbing safety gear.

References

  • Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2015.
  • Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
  • Literature review of DIY Web sites.
How much does it cost to maintain a lawn in your city?
Enter your zip code to get estimates

Cost by city

per sq.ft. (6,000 sq.ft. lawn; material, equipment, and labor)
  • New York, NY$0.22
  • Bronx, NY$0.18
  • Brooklyn, NY$0.15
  • Philadelphia, PA$0.19
  • Washington, DC$0.17
  • Atlanta, GA$0.15
  • Miami, FL$0.14
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL$0.14
  • Minneapolis, MN$0.17
  • Chicago, IL$0.20
  • Houston, TX$0.20
  • San Antonio, TX$0.14
  • Austin, TX$0.15
  • Denver, CO$0.13
  • Phoenix, AZ$0.14
  • Las Vegas, NV$0.15
  • Los Angeles, CA$0.17
  • San Diego, CA$0.15
  • San Jose, CA$0.19
  • Seattle, WA$0.14

Local costs have been calculated by accounting for labor and material cost differences across different cities. To get accurate cost estimates, indicate yours: