How much does it cost to hire a yard clean-up service?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Yard Clean-Up Cost by Size

The property size influences yard clean-up costs. Larger properties take longer and require more energy, so the cost is higher. However, keep in mind, a smaller property that has been neglected can end up being more expensive due to the amount of work required. Additionally, a yard that is more densely covered in leaves and branches can be a higher price, especially if the homeowner wants the yard waste hauled away. Typical yard clean-up involves removing leaves and debris by raking, blowing, or vacuuming, weed and branch removal, and bagging up yard waste. Yard clean-up cost by size ranges from $150 to $2,000.

Yard Cleaning Cost by Frequency

Yard clean-up frequency depends on a couple of different factors. A yard with several big trees may require a clean-up more often to avoid layers of leaves on the ground. An unkempt yard attracts nuisance animals such as snakes or rats. It also hinders the grass’s ability to grow if too covered by leaves.

The frequency of clean-up also depends on the preference of the homeowner. Many people like to have a crisp, clean lawn. Fallen leaves or branches create havoc for this type of person. When a yard is cleaned up more often, less time is involved. However, more trips are required for the professional to come out and do the work, resulting in more expense. If a yard is cleaned up annually, the landscaper or clean-up company comes once. But the yard shouldn’t get too out of control, depending on the number of trees. A one-time clean-up can be quite expensive because this usually means that the yard hasn’t been maintained, and there is a lot of work to do. Prices below refer to the total cost the homeowner will pay for the whole contract. The costs range from $200 to $2,000.

Average Cost for Yard Clean-Up by Task

Yard cleaning is a broad term, but it usually covers removing leaves, weeds, and debris, trimming shrubs and trees, and lawn maintenance. These services are charged separately, with the costs varying depending on your yard structure and the methods used. For example, shrub trimming starts at about $40, while tree pruning can cost as much as $650.

Shrub Trimming

The cost of shrub trimming is $40 to $180. Shrubs quickly get out of hand and become large and overgrown. The longer you wait, the bigger the job. Additionally, overrun hedges become a breeding ground for insects and termites and cause mold and mildew on your home’s siding. Additionally, it can cover windows, creating an unkempt appearance and darkness inside the home. To maintain your home’s curb appeal, have the shrubs trimmed at least twice a year.

Garden Clean-Up

A garden clean-up costs between $60 and $150. If you have a vegetable garden, it needs to be regularly harvested and cleaned afterward. Typically, garden clean-up services include watering, trimming, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, slashing, and clearing garden rubbish.

Weed Removal Service

Weed killers can be professionally applied for around $65 to $150 per treatment. Weeds will constantly grow on your lawn and near your shrubs and plants. If they aren’t removed, they can damage the plants and destroy your beautifully landscaped yard. There are several methods of removing them: by hand or using a hoe or chemical weed killer.

The most efficient method for removing weeds in your garden is to use a chemical weed killer. The problem with this method is that you may damage other plants and flowers while spraying it. Organic weed killers are made from natural products, so they aren’t so harmful to the environment.

Yard Debris Removal

Yard debris accumulates around your yard throughout the year. Most yard debris removal costs $75 to $150, including cleaning it up and hauling it away. This pricing is based on a ¼ acre lot. You can opt for curbside pickup, which costs from $50 to $100 depending on where you live and how many bags of debris you have.

Tree Debris Removal

Tree debris removal costs $100 to $300 and is usually part of a total tree removal cost. If you have some trees in your yard, you will occasionally find some dead limbs and falling bark laying around. Or, if a bigger storm hits, some larger branches and other debris may fall, requiring you to call a tree debris removal service.

Mulch Bed Clean-Up

Mulch installation costs between $150 and $400. Mulch is a great way to spruce up and, sometimes, completely change the look of your home. It comes in various colors to accent your flower bed and provide for better curb appeal. Homeowners can use red mulch for more pop or black mulch to contrast with a white-colored home. Colored mulch fades and washes away over time, so replacement is usually done once or twice a year. Over time, weeds grow through the mulch and create a need for clean-up.

Flower Bed Clean-Up

The usual cost of flower bed clean-up varies greatly and can be anywhere between $100 and $500. In addition, if you want the landscaper to plant new flowers, you can expect to pay an hourly fee of $25 to $200.

If a flower bed is overgrown with weeds, old mulch, and debris, it needs a clean-up. Flowers wither easily, whether from too much sun, lack of sunlight, cold, lack of water, too much water, or because of bug infestation. Also, many flowers are perennials and need to be replaced.

Tree Trimming

The average cost to trim one tree is between $175 and $750. Trimming is used to shape a tree and make it appear more attractive. It is also used to promote healthy growth. The cost of trimming trees varies greatly depending on the type of trees that need trimming. Tree trimming companies do not charge per hour but a flat fee depending on the size of the tree. Keep in mind that these prices are only for one tree. If you have more trees, these costs would be that much higher.

Leaf Clean-Up

It’s natural to have fallen leaves in your yard throughout the year, but of course, especially in the fall. While they create a scenic view in early autumn, once they fall, they need to be removed from your yard. Otherwise, they’ll make their way into your gutters and clog them, start to rot and produce a foul smell, and may damage your lawn. There are many methods of removing leaves from your yard, but the most popular ones are blowing, vacuuming, and raking. The costs range from $200 to $400, depending on the method. This involves a fall leaf clean-up using a vacuum and mulching leaves on a 10,000 sq.ft. property.

Tree Pruning

The average cost to prune a tree ranges from $350 to $650. Pruning is used to remove dead or unnecessary branches. It can help keep trees on your property healthy and vibrant. Rather than being used for aesthetic reasons like trimming, pruning focuses on the health of the trees. This is also done to prevent branches and limbs from falling, which can be a risk for the members of your family. Remember that the taller the tree is, the more difficult the process will be. This means that larger trees cost more for pruning.

Yard Clean-Up Prices by Season

The two times during the year that are most popular are the fall and the spring. These clean-ups are vital to keeping your yard healthy and well-maintained. Changing seasons leave a yard filled with debris from summer or winter storms. This debris prevents new growth and is dangerous to visitors and family. Fall clean-up is done once most of the leaves have fallen to prepare the yard for the holidays. Spring clean-up is performed to provide a healthy environment for blooming plants, flowers, and trees. The price range for yard cleanup ranges from as little as $100 in spring to $500 in the fall.

Spring Clean-Up Landscaping

Spring clean-ups usually cost between $100 and $300 but are usually combined with other services (mowing, fertilizing, planting). The exact cost varies depending on what type of spring services your yard needs.

After winter, your yard will be filled with fallen branches and leaves. Thatch, leaves, pinecones, and other debris will be on your lawn. It all needs to be removed to allow sunlight to shine on other plants and grass. Next, you need to mow the remaining grass and tidy up the flowers and plants to encourage new growth.

It’s best to wait for the last frost to hit before doing your spring clean-up. If the dead plants are cut too early, new ones will not emerge while it’s still cold. So wait for as long as you can before doing a spring yard clean-up, which is usually the time when temperatures are above 50 degrees for a few days in a row.

Fall Yard Clean-Up

Most companies charge between $200 and $500 for fall clean-up. During fall, the flora in your yard dries out, and its leaves fall off. If you don’t take care of the dried pieces, they can get stuck in your gutters or rot in your yard. Fall is one of the busiest seasons for yard clean-up companies, so you may find yourself paying twice as much for a yard clean-up service in fall as you would in the spring.

Yard Clean-Up Service Cost

While you can clean up and organize your yard yourself, a professional team has the knowledge and tools required to do the job properly and make the whole house stand out. It takes a big burden off your shoulders and saves you a lot of time and effort.

A yard professional knows what needs to be done and where. They know the type of trees, shrubs, and plants you can grow in your yard, how to apply proper care for them, and how to maintain them. Knowledge and expertise in yard services vary, and so does the price. So, if you want to hire a professional landscaper, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour.

Overall, the exact cost to clean up your yard depends on the range of services and the methods you use, but you can expect to pay between $150 and $1,200 for a property of between half to three-quarters of an acre. Pricing is often based on per hour, per sq.ft., a flat rate, or a per bag cost for yard waste disposal. The differences are merely a preference, depending on the professional landscaper. Often you will receive an itemized bill that breaks down how the billing is done. The landscaper must include the cost of waste removal and disposal because yard waste removal costs the landscaper money because they must pay to dispose of it at the city dump or recycling center.

Yard Waste Removal Cost

Once you’re done with the clean-up, you need to throw the bags of debris away (burning it is not a good option). The usual cost to haul away yard debris is $200 to $550, with a $50 to $100 cost per load. Some localities take yard waste as part of the usual curbside pickup schedule. Check to see if your area has any special rules or days for this. Without curbside pick up, the waste must be taken to a recycling center or dumpsite and paid for by the ton. The landscaper may pay this himself and include the cost in his fees or charge you an extra fee for waste removal.

Overgrown Yard Clean-Up Cost

Weeds, grass, and other types of plants can quickly overtake a lawn if regular cleanup is not done. While lawn maintenance can often be done all at one time in a clean yard, the same is not the case if the lawn has become overgrown. Brush may need to be destroyed, weeds will need to be pulled out of the ground, and mowing the lawn can be more challenging since the grass is higher than it would be in an average lawn. The process involves removing any rubbish from the lawn, trimming down hedges, choosing plants you want to keep, and removing dead plants and weeds. Soil may require attention during the process. With a more intensive process required, overgrown yard cleanup can be as much as double typical prices. Most people pay between $300 and $700, depending on the size of the yard and what care is needed.

Add-Ons Maintenance Costs

One of the best ways to keep your yard clean-up costs down is regular maintenance. This includes Lawn mowing and maintenance, gutter cleaning, stump grinding and removal, lawn aeration, tree removal, seeding, and sod installation. Regular maintenance allows your yard to grow healthy and thick. This enables it to survive heat, cold, pests, and weeds. During each season, maintenance looks different and varies according to the climate in your area. Costs range from $65 to $7,200.

Lawn Mowing and Maintenance

The average cost for mowing and other maintenance is $65 to $150 per visit. Some pricing would be part of a routine package that includes a certain number of cuts per month, according to the season and the frequency of need. Set pricing keeps the cost lower. Individual cuts cost you more. Pricing is determined by the size of the yard, which equates to an hourly rate. Fertilization is often included in lawn care packages, averaging $50.

Gutter Cleaning

The price of cleaning gutters is usually determined by the number of linear feet of gutters and the height of the house. The typical cost ranges from $150 to $225 or $190 for a one-story house with 150 linear feet of gutters, averaging $1 to $3.17 per linear foot. Your gutters should be regularly cleaned of any leaves or yard and tree debris. If they get clogged, water won’t be able to flow through, resulting in flooding or damage to your walls and roof.

Stump Removal and Grinding

For stump grinding, expect to pay $275 to $600, and for stump removal, $200 to $700. Stump grinding is less invasive as the top of the stump is ground down to make it level with the ground. Stump removal involves taking out the entire stump along with many of the roots. A homeowner may need to have the stump removed if it interferes with a driveway, sprinkler system, or water lines. Factors that influence stump removal costs are the soil condition, the size of the root system, the age of the tree, and the difficulty of removal. A difficult removal such as a stump located between homes or under a concrete structure adds to the cost of removal.

Lawn Aeration

Homeowners usually pay $220 to $870 for lawn aeration. Your lawn occasionally needs to be aerated. Over time, foot traffic and other pressures cause the ground to be compacted, resulting in poor absorption of oxygen and nutrients. Aeration is a process where air pockets are created in the grass to allow oxygen and nutrients down into the soil. This helps seeding and fertilization to be more effective and oxygen saturation to occur.

Tree Removal

The average cost to remove a tree is between $400 and $900 but sometimes can cost up to $2,000 if the job is more complex. Homeowners pay $435 on average to cut down a tree. The exact cost depends on the height, diameter, complexity of the branches, and the tree’s condition. Dead or uprooted trees may cost less to remove as the brittleness of the wood equates to less work. Removing the stump adds to the cost.

Seeding

Seeding costs range from $550 to $1,500 depending on the size of the yard and what grass species will be planted. The cost to seed a single square foot of the lawn falls between $0.09 and $0.18. With hundreds of grass seed varieties available, this also affects the price. Some grass will do better in certain locations than others. It is important to determine which grass seed does the best job in your soil and climate before seeding the lawn.

Sod Installation

For the average home, you can expect to pay an average of $5,800 to $7,200 to install sod on a 5,000 sq.ft. lot. The most common cost per square foot ranges from $0.90 to $2.49 for the sod and the installation process. The type of grass used in the project will also impact the cost. The weather, climate, maintenance requirements, sod quality, type of soil, amount of minerals, and grass type all affect how the lawn looks after sod installation.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Landscape Construction Clean-Up

Landscape construction clean-up cost runs from $250 to $700. Clean-Up could be needed in situations where irrigation or pipes are replaced or during pool construction that leaves sod, mulch, trees, and shrubs disturbed, uprooted, or askew. Many times, the landscape or pool crew attempts to realign everything but does a poor job. A landscape construction clean-up ensures that your sod or trees don’t die. Extensive construction clean-up, such as removing several tree limbs, may require equipment and be more costly.

Patio Clean-Up

A patio clean-up costs from $50 to $75. This includes removal of debris, scrubbing to remove surface staining, and high pressure washing. It is important to note that sealing the patio after the deep cleaning is wise. Sealing prevents water absorption. Water in the patio pad will result in cracks and devalue the integrity of the concrete.

Composting

After cleaning, many homeowners decide to compost their garden to boost soil fertility and aid the growth of healthy vegetables. You can either make your own green or brown compost or buy a bag of premade compost. Green compost can be made using food remains you usually throw out, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Brown compost, on the other hand, can be made of the garden clean-up remnants like grass and plant clippings, dry leaves, vegetable stalks, straw, sawdust or wood shavings, pine needles, paper, and corn cobs and stalks. If you just want to buy a bag of compost, it usually costs from $3 to $5.

Mulch Installation

You may want to install mulch to retain the moisture and control the temperature in your yard or garden. Mulch maintains the integrity of the soil, preventing it from washing away in the rain and protects the root system beneath it. When mulch is used in conjunction with a weed barrier, it prevents weeds from growing. It’s typically done in early spring and costs between $30 and $100 for a cubic yard of organic mulch.

Deck Pressure Washing

Pressure washing adds the final touch to your beautifully landscaped yard and garden. It’s done using a strong stream of water to break down and remove dirt, grease, and grime from a deck or other hard surfaces. The cost to pressure wash a 500 sq.ft. deck is $145 on average, with the typical cost ranging between $100 and $200.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• DIY. DIY is an option with yard clean-up. However, you need to purchase the supplies and tools to do the job, spend several hours or days doing the job, and dispose of all yard waste. A professional does the job quickly, and your yard will look amazing in no time at all.
• Estimates. Make sure you get three to five estimates before settling for a specific yard clean-up company. Then, you can choose a company that offers the best set of services at a price that fits your budget.
• Urgency. Cleaning jobs that are designated as urgent are more expensive as there is not much time to look for the most affordable rates.
• Cost savings. Instead of spending money to dispose of the leaves and other compostable debris, you can make a compost heap. It’s not only a cost-efficient way of removing the debris from your yard, but it also creates nutrient-rich soil where you can plant flowers, trees, and grass.
• Minimums. If your yard is smaller than 500 sq.ft., some companies may have a minimum charge for leaf removal.
• Quality services. Make sure you ask your service provider some basic questions about the equipment, their minimum charge, how long they have been in business, references, payment forms they accept, etc.
• ​Choice of a leaf removal company. When choosing a more experienced company for leaf removal, you can expect quick and efficient service. Newer companies may be slower due to a lack of workers, equipment, and time management skills. The price may be lower, but the job quality may also be lower.