How Much Does Landscaping Maintenance Cost?
$100 – $200 per month
For general landscaping maintenance, lawn care, gardening, and up keep, the average homeowner will spend $100 - $200/month. Cost will also depend on the size of your yard, your location, and the amount of work you need to have done on a regular basis. Get free instant estimates from local landscapers near you.
Average Cost of Landscaping Maintenance
For general landscaping maintenance, lawn care, gardening, and up keep, the average homeowner will spend $100 to $200/month. Expect to pay more for a company with a few employees than an individual because of overhead costs. Cost will also depend on the size of your yard, your location, and the amount of work you need to have done on a regular basis.
| Landscaping Maintenance | Average Cost Per Month |
|---|---|
| National Average Cost | $150 |
| Minimum Cost | $100 |
| Maximum Cost | $200 |
| Average Range | $100 to $200 |
As we get older and busier, there are more and more tasks we’d love to do but just don’t have the strength or time required for them. We’ve listed out these jobs with individual prices, but it might end up actually costing less if you hire one service to take care of an agreed-upon list while you take care of the rest.
Table Of Contents
- Landscaping Maintenance Costs
- Tree Trimming Costs
- Tree Removal Costs
- Lawn Care Prices
- Lawn Fertilizer Cost
- Lawn Aeration Cost
- Dethatching Cost
- Sprinkler System Costs
- Leaf Removal Costs
- Lawn Weeding Costs
- Pest Control Prices
- Gardener Cost
- Preparing for Winter
- Selecting Your Landscaper
- Landscapers Near Me
Popular Landscaping Maintenance Services
Yards are getting smaller these days because of the increase of the average suburban house size in combination with the reduction of lot size, but yard maintenance will always be needed, whether it’s just to cut grass and occasionally give some arbor care, or to tend plants as shrubbery as well.
The best people to take care of your yard are those who know a lot about grass, plants, and seasonal changes. While you might prefer to hire someone for each aspect of keeping your yard beautifully healthy, it’s easier to hire a service that does everything.
Tree Trimming & Removal Costs
For the cost of tree trimming and pruning, you can expect to pay in the region of between $350 to $500, and for cost of tree removal you could pay around $200 for small trees, up to a few thousand for large trees.
If you have trees on the property that need some attention, the service agreement could include cutting down dead trees and removing them, and/or something much quicker and less expensive like pruning. Your contractor should be certified in arbor care and make sure your trees are maintained in optimal health in every season.
- $350 for tree trimming and pruning
- $200 per tree removal
Trees should be chopped up on site, and any part of the lawn that is left exposed filled in with dirt and seeded. Some will even chip and mulch trimmed branches onsite.
When is the best time to do tree trimming?
Fall is the time to cut back any unruly limbs or branches that have become unsightly, or are simply growing in a manner that could cause injury. Special consideration should be given to branches that could possibly fall and injure someone when there is a snowfall, or during any high winds from winter storms.
When hiring an arborist, look for certifications like ISA Certified Arborist, TDA Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified; and membership to the American Society of Consulting Arborists or Commercial Arborists.
Lawn Care Prices
Every lawn needs to be lovingly cared for, and a great lawn service provider will do everything needed to ensure this. You’ll have a watering and mowing schedule set in place, and ongoing pest control, along with seasonal care. Most companies only provide lawn maintenance and debris removal, while others include arbor care, plant care, and general yardwork. On average lawn care prices range from $25-$50/visit for mowing and edging, more if it’s a once-off visit with no maintenance contract.
After the first freeze, be sure to call your lawn professional out for one last pass on the lawn, and using the mowing height guide, mow the grass. With a fresh cut, the short grass which won’t grow during the winter will help the ground dry out quicker come spring, and that will present ideal conditions for lush growth in the spring.
Lawn Fertilizing Cost
The best possible soil treatment is compost—every spring and fall, spread a 1”-2” layer on the grass and watch it work its way to the roots. Organic fertilizers are low in nitrogen so they are less likely to burn grass blades. If you do use a chemical fertilizer, be sure to buy slow- or controlled-release compounds, and water immediately after application.
- The minimum cost for lawn fertilizer is $0.08/sf
- The maximum cost for lawn fertilizer is $0.48/sf
If you do not have the time or the tools to fertilize your lawn on your own, you can hire a contractor to do the job. If you hire a contractor, the cost of fertilizing your lawn is about $12-$15/hr. You can also hire a lawn care expert or professional lawn care company, which will bring your lawn fertilizing cost up to about $60 per hour, on average.
Lawn Aeration Costs
The average cost of lawn aeration is $75 to $250. Aeration helps ensure your soil is permeable to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. The soil needs to be broken up so the needed nutrients find their way to the roots.
Dethatching Cost
Dead thatch is commonly found in your lawn early in the year, and if the thatch layer is more than 1’ thick, it needs to be removed in order to prevent smothering. A long-forked rake can clear it well. Depending on the thickness of thatch, the average cost for a dethatching service is between $200 to $400 per 1000 square feet.
Sprinkler System Install & Repair Costs
A sprinkler system costs $1,800 to $5,200, depending on the lawn size and if landscaping is already installed or not. Sprinkler system repairs cost $75 to $250 on average, or $75 per hour for a professional plumber.
Installing a drip irrigation system costs $300 to $1,200 per zone on average.
Light, frequent watering does more damage to grass roots and encourages weed growth, whereas deeper, less-frequent watering encourages grass roots to grow deeper and become more resilient to drought conditions.
Drain what can be drained before winter sets in. In order to keep all your exterior water distribution equipment in top shape for the next spring and summer season, make sure to drain the water from all your hoses, fountains, and irrigation systems, and when that is done, find a dry place to store them for the winter. If you live somewhere with extensive cold spells that include freezing temperatures, your equipment could be damaged as the water inside freezes and thaws with the fluctuations in temperature.
Leaf Removal Costs
Depending on where you live and the land surrounding your property, it is very likely that your yard features an assortment of trusty weeds as well as a light to heavy dusting of dead leaves and possibly branches. This combination creates the perfect environment for a range of garden pests to build a home in. While many think they can be left to decay and contribute to new growth next year, a heavy or thick layer of leaves is a lot more likely to suffocate and kill of portions of your lawn, which would result in additional expenses and time to rectify.
The average price range for hiring a professional for leaf removal is $205 - $330. Some professionals will charge an hourly rate, others will charge $10 per bag. Some may charge an hourly rate of $12-$15 plus a fee per bag ranging from $5 - $15. The cost of leaf removal depends on how large the lawn is, how many leaves you have, and how much it cost the professional to dispose of the leaves.
Lawn Weeding Costs
Uproot any weeds starting to grow in your lawn in the springtime before they propagate. Rather than cut and leave tall weed grass, call a landscaper to bag and remove all clippings that include seed heads to prevent most of it from reseeding. Also let your landscaper know to reseed grass in patchy areas so as to crowd out weeds. On average, you can expect to spend $0.90/sqft on lawn reseeding and $50–$80/hour on lawn weeding.
Spreading weed killer over the whole lawn is unnecessary, and it can damage turf and nearby trees if it’s applied in warm weather. Spot treatment of weeds with a selective weed killer is more effective over the long term and protects groundwater contamination levels.
Pest Control Prices
When pests take over your garden, plants, and lawn you can epect to pay aronud $2–$11 per plant application, depending on size. If pests are getting inside the home, pest control prices start at $250 per perimeter and lawn application.
Types of Pests to watch out for
Cinch bugs - These are partial to St. Augustine grass, but they are known to also infest Bermuda and Zoysia grasses. They love hot, dry weather, and their presence is evidenced by patches of yellow grass where the lawn sides up to concrete. A natural method of cinch bug control is to set up nearby feeders and watering stations for birds. Insecticidal soap is an effective chemical solution when applied locally.
Grubs - Grubs eat the roots of Bermuda, St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses. Nematodes—roundworms that enter grubs and kill them within a few days—are the most active solution to rid your lawn of these pests.
Fire ants - If found in small mounds, pouring boiling water on the mound can be effective.
Moles and voles – If you see broken sod and mounds forming in the yard, try pouring liquid or granular mixes of castor oil around the yard.
Japanese beetles, mole crickets, cut worms, army worms – Neem oil and sprays containing potassium bicarbonate can be effective on beetles. Treat army worms with the natural insecticide, Spinosad—a natural substance made by a soil bacterium that can be toxic to insects; or the caterpillar spray, Bt—an easy-to-mix liquid concentrate that kills worms and caterpillar stage insects but has no effect on birds, earthworms or beneficial insects.
European crane fly - They feed just below the surface, destroying plant roots and stems. Treat with SaferBrandGrub Killer, an insecticidal soap (potassium salts of fatty acids) and pyrethrin, and clarified neem oil.
Gardener Cost
$1.50–$3/sqft to clean out flowerbeds
It helps to know which of your plants will only last one year and which can last for a much longer amount of time. Your yard service contractor will also know which flowers and vegetables would be good to plant again for the following year or how to change it up so you landscaping still looks good. On average, a gardener costs about $100 per visit, and charges $1.50–$3/sqft to clean out flowerbeds and $0.70 per plant for pruning.
In addition, to prune your shrubs and bushes, you can expect to pay $0.70 per plant and $13 per shrub. As you head into winter, it won’t be too difficult to spot any dead branches or overgrown bushes and trees that need a spot of attention. Should your garden include blooming perennials like roses, etc., this is the time to prune and train their branches.
Preparing for Winter
Waterproof your deck. For those who have the opportunity to spent some of their summer months enjoying a deck, the fall is the time to give it a power wash to help prevent any growth of mold and mildew. Be sure not to use the washer at its highest setting so as not to damage the surface of the wood. Once it has been cleaned and left to dry, apply a weatherproofing stain to prevent moisture damage from impacting the wood during the winter.
Oil and store your tools. After your garden implements have served you faithfully over the spring and summer, give them a final cleaning for the season followed by a light application of oil to keep rust at bay. This way, they will be sure to give you years of service when you take them back out each spring.
Clean out your gutters. Leaves in your gutters will build up quick. You can expect to pay a professional $50–$80/hour for gutter cleaning.
Find your Landscaping Maintenance Service
Looking after your yard can take a chunk of time and effort, as there is a wide range of things that need to be taken care of to protect the yard during the winter and best position it for a glorious rebirth in the spring. For those to whom this may seem overwhelming, contact your yard service company to get on their schedule to take care of it all for you. Some tasks, however, are easier than others, so have your exact list of tasks ready for an accurate quote.
When looking for the right company:
- Look at their degrees, certificates, licenses, memberships, experience
- Ask for referrals from friends
- Check online reviews and portfolios
- Ask about eco-friendly/organic/sustainability practices
- Look for an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Make sure they are licensed and bonded
- Get at least three quotes
Find your landscaping maintenance professional today, and we hope you enjoy your beautiful yard for many years to come.
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