Landscape Design

As we move through 2025, the cost of lawn care services is being shaped by rising labor costs, increased fuel prices, and growing interest in sustainable landscaping. From basic upkeep to premium full-service packages, understanding the current pricing landscape can help you make informed choices and avoid unnecessary expenses.

This guide breaks down what those numbers mean, what’s driving the changes, and how you can maintain a healthy, great-looking lawn without overspending.

Specific Lawn Care Service Costs

Lawn care is a collection of services that work together to keep your yard healthy, green, and thriving all year long. The average cost of lawn care sits around $300, though pricing can vary depending on the type of service you need. 

But here’s a clear look at what you can expect to pay this year:

Lawn Care Services - 2025 Pricing
Service Average Cost in 2025 What It Includes
Lawn Mowing $35 – $100 per visit Regular mowing, trimming, and clean edging. Frequency depends on grass growth.
Aeration $100 – $250 per service Punches holes in soil to relieve compaction, improve drainage, and boost root health.
Dethatching $145 – $250 (can go higher) Removes thick layers of dead grass (thatch) that block water and nutrients.
Fertilization $100 – $340 per application Lawn-specific nutrient treatments to promote healthy, even growth.
Weed Control $65 – $120 per visit Targeted treatments to eliminate broadleaf weeds and prevent regrowth.
Leaf Cleanup $175 – $450 per session Raking, bagging, and disposing of fallen leaves to prevent lawn suffocation.

Pro Tip: If you’re combining services, such as mowing + fertilization, you’ll often pay less than booking each one separately. Ask us about package pricing or seasonal plans that fit your lawn’s needs.

Factors Influencing Lawn Care Pricing

Even within the same neighborhood, two lawns can require entirely different levels of service depending on their layout, condition, and landscape features. 

Here are the key factors that can influence your lawn care costs:

1. Type of Grass

The species of grass in your yard has a direct impact on the frequency and type of care it requires.

  • Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine typically grow more aggressively during summer and require more frequent mowing and edging.

  • Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, and Ryegrass tend to need different fertilization schedules, seasonal aeration, and may require overseeding in the fall.

Some grass types also have thicker thatch layers or are more sensitive to mowing height, requiring specialized equipment or more careful handling.

2. Yard Size

Larger lawns require more time, labor, and fuel to maintain. Most lawn care providers, including Percy’s, base pricing tiers on the square footage of your property.

  • A small residential front yard might be serviced in under 30 minutes.
  • A larger suburban property or estate lawn can take over an hour per visit.

Additional square footage also increases the volume of fertilizer, weed control, and other treatments needed naturally affecting the total price.

3. Lawn’s Current Condition

The health of your lawn determines not only what services are needed, but also how intensive those services must be.

  • Well-maintained lawns may only need light touch-ups and basic care, which is faster and more cost-efficient.
  • Neglected lawns with overgrown grass, excessive weeds, bare patches, or compacted soil typically require additional time and restorative treatments like dethatching, aeration, or reseeding.

4. Obstacles in the Yard

Landscape design, layout, and physical obstructions can increase the complexity of lawn care services. These include:

  • Trees, garden beds, stepping stones, decorative edging, or water features
  • Fenced-in areas, narrow gates, or multi-level terrain
  • Trampolines, swing sets, or patio furniture that must be moved or worked around

Working around these features often extends the time needed to complete the job. It may require smaller, more precise equipment or additional manual labor, especially when edging or trimming near fragile areas. Lawns with multiple obstacles typically involve more effort and planning, which can lead to slightly higher service rates due to the added complexity. 

DIY vs. Hiring the Pros

When it comes to lawn care, you’ve got options. Some homeowners enjoy the hands-on approach of getting outside, pushing a mower, tending to their grass on a Sunday morning. Others prefer to leave it to the experts and reclaim their time. The right choice depends on your budget, schedule, and the amount of effort you’re willing (or able) to invest.

Here’s a closer look at how the two compare in 2025:

Doing It Yourself

If you already have the equipment and enjoy yard work, managing your lawn on your own can save money over time. But it does come with trade-offs.

Pros:

  • Lower ongoing costs once the equipment is purchased
  • Full control over when and how you maintain your lawn
  • Potential for satisfaction if you enjoy outdoor work

Cons:

  • Upfront costs for tools: A quality gas mower can range from $250–$500; string trimmers, rakes, spreaders, and leaf blowers add to the bill
  • Time investment: Mowing, edging, raking, and treating a lawn can take 2–4 hours a week
  • Lack of expertise: Diagnosing issues like soil compaction, fungus, or invasive weeds often requires a trained eye

DIY can work for small to medium lawns if you’re consistent and willing to learn. But there’s a learning curve and room for costly mistakes.

Hiring a Professional Lawn Care Service

Hiring a professional means getting help from someone who knows how to care for your lawn based on the local soil, grass, and weather.

Pros:

  • Access to commercial-grade equipment and professional techniques
  • Time-saving, with reliable scheduling and consistent results
  • Early identification of issues like disease, pests, or irrigation problems
  • Option to bundle services like mowing, fertilizing, aeration, and weed control

Cons:

  • Higher monthly or seasonal cost compared to doing it all yourself
  • Less direct control unless you work with a transparent provider (like us!)

Professional services are ideal for homeowners who want excellent results without the hassle. And for larger or complex properties, hiring experts often ends up being the more efficient and cost-effective choice in the long run.

Recurring Services and Package Plans

Maintaining a healthy lawn requires consistent care. As a result, many homeowners are opting for recurring service plans and bundled packages.

1. What Are Recurring Service Plans?

These are subscription-style models where lawn care services like mowing, fertilization, or weed control are scheduled at regular intervals throughout the season. You don’t have to worry about calling for each visit; it’s all handled automatically.

2. How Do Package Plans Save You Money?

Bundled service packages allow you to combine multiple treatments into a single plan, like mowing + fertilization + seasonal cleanup. This "bulk buy" approach often comes with a built-in discount, saving you more compared to booking services one at a time. Plus, you can lock in your rate for the season and avoid unexpected price hikes.

3. Choosing the Right Plan for Your Lawn

Not every yard needs the same level of care. When selecting a recurring plan or package, consider:

  • Your lawn’s size and type of grass
  • How quickly your grass grows
  • Whether you need additional seasonal services like dethatching, aeration, or seeding
  • Are you looking to be hands-off or just need support with specific tasks?

Choosing a plan that reflects your lawn’s specific needs ensures better results and avoids overpaying for services you don’t actually need.

Cost Variations by Location

Lawn care costs can vary significantly depending on where you live. Even if two homeowners receive the exact same services, regional factors can result in significantly different price points. Here’s how location influences what you pay for lawn maintenance:

1. Local Economic Factors

Wages, fuel prices, business operating costs, and general cost of living all affect how much service providers charge in a given area.

  • In urban or high-cost-of-living areas, lawn care companies often have to pay their crews more and cover higher overhead expenses, which gets reflected in service rates.
  • In smaller towns or rural communities, rates may be lower due to reduced labor costs and lower general expenses, though availability might be more limited.

2. Climatic Conditions and Growing Seasons

Your local climate also plays a significant role in determining how often your lawn needs care and what type of care it requires.

  • Warmer regions with long growing seasons, such as the Southeast or Southwest, often require year-round mowing and more frequent fertilization or pest control.

  • Cooler or more temperate regions may have shorter active growing periods, which reduces the number of service visits but increases the emphasis on seasonal treatments like aeration or overseeding.

In areas with extreme heat, heavy rainfall, or drought, additional services such as soil conditioning, irrigation checks, or specialized fertilization may also be necessary, which can impact your total seasonal cost.

Cost-Effective Lawn Upgrades That Add Value Over Time

If you want to do more than basic mowing and watering, some lawn upgrades can really pay off over time. These improvements might cost more at the start, but they can save you money, time, and effort in the long run. Things like artificial grass, sprinkler systems, and removing old grass can make your lawn easier to manage and look great all year round.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common upgrades and what you can expect to spend.

1. Artificial Grass Installation

Artificial turf has grown in popularity among homeowners looking for a low-maintenance, evergreen alternative to natural grass. It’s especially ideal in regions with water restrictions or extreme climates where lawn upkeep is difficult.

  • Average Cost: $5,000 – $15,000 for most residential yards
  • Pros: No mowing, watering, or fertilizing; stays green year-round
  • Cons: Higher installation cost; surface can get hot in direct sunlight

It might cost a lot at first, but over the next 10 to 15 years, you can save money on water, lawn care, and tools.

2. Grass Removal

Before you can install alternatives like artificial turf or decorative landscaping, your existing lawn often needs to be professionally removed.

  • Average Cost: $760 – $3,328, depending on lawn size, grass type, and disposal method
  • This includes digging out the topsoil layer, hauling away sod, and potentially applying herbicide to prevent regrowth.

Grass removal is a critical first step in many landscaping overhauls. Skipping it can cause problems down the road, especially if residual roots or weeds interfere with new installations.

3. Sprinkler Systems

A functional irrigation system keeps your lawn hydrated efficiently, especially during dry spells or busy weeks. Sprinkler systems can be installed for new lawns or retrofitted into existing landscapes.

  • Installation Cost: $2,400 – $4,200 on average for a full-yard system
  • Repair Costs: Minor repairs range from $100 to $500, depending on the issue
  • Automated timers, moisture sensors, and zoning features can increase the price, but also improve efficiency

Smart irrigation can significantly reduce your water bill and prevent over- or under-watering, which often leads to patchy or unhealthy lawns.

Why Choose Percy’s Lawn Care?

At Percy’s Lawn Care, we combine local expertise, dependable service, and transparent pricing to deliver lawn care that works for your home, your schedule, and your budget.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Tailored Lawn Care Plans

No two lawns are alike, and we treat them that way. We take the time to assess your property’s specific needs and recommend services that actually make sense, without over-selling or upselling.

Reliable, On-Time Service

We show up when we say we will, every single time. Our team follows consistent service schedules, so you’re never left guessing when your next visit is coming.

Experienced, Friendly Professionals

Our crew isn’t just skilled, they're approachable, respectful, and committed to getting your lawn just right.

Transparent Pricing No Surprises

What we quote is what you pay. We believe in clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees, and we’ll walk you through your options so you always stay in control of your budget.

Local Knowledge, Year-Round Support

We understand the soil, grass types, and seasonal challenges unique to this area. From spring cleanups to summer care and fall prep, we’re here to keep your lawn looking its best all year.

Let us help you keep your lawn green, healthy, and stress-free all year round. Reach out today to get started.