Lawn care lives and dies by the route. One mow barely covers gas; a tight cluster of profitable recurring accounts is a real business. Pricing is how you make sure every stop on that route pays — starting with a minimum that protects your drive time.
The rates to know
- Per visit: $30–$85 for a small-to-¼-acre yard; $60–$150 per acre.
- Hourly: $40–$80 per hour per crew member — your internal building block.
- Monthly full-service: ~$200–$400 for a ¼-acre property with recurring service.
Set a minimum charge — and hold it
Every stop costs you drive time, load and unload, and equipment wear before you cut a single blade. A $30–$50 minimum makes sure a tiny yard is still worth the visit. Quoting below your minimum to "fill the route" is how crews stay busy and broke.
Price per visit, estimate from hourly
Customers want a per-mow price, so give them one — but build it from your hourly target and the yard's size and obstacles (slopes, trees, gates, trimming). Do that in the lawn care estimate tool and you'll never accidentally underbid a tricky yard.
Build recurring accounts
Recurring weekly or biweekly service is the goal — predictable revenue and a lawn that stays easy to maintain. Offer a better per-visit rate for a season-long commitment, and bundle add-ons (edging, blowing, fertilizing, aeration, spring/fall cleanups) into a monthly rate. One-time cleanups and overgrown first-cuts should price higher — they're the hardest work.
Cover overhead and get paid
Fuel, equipment, maintenance, and insurance all come out of your price — make sure it covers them plus profit (see markup vs. margin). Bill recurring accounts on a schedule with the lawn care invoice template so the cash keeps up with the route.