Lawn Mowing Price Calculator
Enter the lawn size and your rate to price a visit and see the monthly and seasonal totals.
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Try YardDraftHow lawn mowing is priced
Most lawn services price by the size of the lawn, since size drives the time it takes to mow. A common approach is a rate per 1,000 square feet with a minimum charge per visit, plus extra for trimming, edging, and blowing off hard surfaces. The $5 per 1,000 sq ft in the box above is an example. Set your own rate based on your costs and local competition.
What to add for difficult yards
Steep slopes, lots of trees or obstacles, gates that block a mower, and overgrown grass all slow the job down. A flat percentage markup keeps the pricing simple and fair. Many companies charge an extra fee for the first cut of an overgrown lawn, then drop to the regular rate once it is maintained.
Weekly vs. every other week
Weekly customers are more predictable and quicker to mow, so many companies give them a small discount. Every-other-week customers often pay a higher per-visit price because the grass is longer. Use the discount box to see what a weekly customer would pay over a full season.
Measuring the lawn
Use the lawn area calculator to subtract the house, driveway and garden beds from the lot to get the mowable area.
Estimates only. Rates are examples, not market data.
Worked example
A customer has an 8,000 square foot lawn, and your rate is $5 per 1,000 square feet, so the mowing price is $40. The yard has some slope, so you add 10%, which makes $44. Trimming, edging and blowing adds $10, for a visit price of $54. If you give weekly customers 5% off, the weekly price is $51.30, and a 28-week season comes to about $1,436.
Why a minimum charge matters
Driving to a property, unloading equipment and loading up again takes the same time whether the lawn is large or small. A very small lawn priced only by area might not cover the trip. A minimum per visit protects you from losing money on small jobs.
Cost checks before you set your rate
- Time per visit, including driving, setup and cleanup, not only mowing time
- Fuel, blade sharpening and equipment repairs averaged across every job
- Insurance, licenses and taxes that apply where you work
- The pay you want per hour, so you can compare your price to the hours it takes
Seasonal and recurring pricing
Many companies sell a season of weekly visits at a set monthly price, which gives customers a predictable bill and gives you steady income. Grass grows slower in summer heat and in cooler weeks, so decide whether you will charge the same for every visit or adjust for the time of year.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge by the hour or by the lawn?
Most customers prefer a flat price per visit. Use your hourly target to check that the flat price is fair to you, then quote the flat price.
How do I handle a lawn that has not been mowed in weeks?
Add the overgrown percentage, or charge a separate first-cut fee, and return to the regular rate once the lawn is under control.
Is $5 per 1,000 square feet a normal price?
It is an example, not a market figure. Rates vary widely by region, lawn type and service, so compare what a few local companies charge.