With real estate transactions at an all-time high, it isn’t surprising that landscapers are busy with requests to redo yards. Although a high demand for your services is great news, it can be challenging to keep up with pricing trends with many moving parts to consider.
On top of the need to stay competitive, landscapers are also dealing with supply shortages due to the pandemic. The rise in supply and equipment costs can impact the volume of services you’ll need to provide to break even.
With these factors in mind, we put together an easy guide to help price your services fairly for both you and your customers. Keep reading for tips on how to stop undercharging for your services and a brief overview of the current state of the landscaping industry.
Below, we’ve dug up average quotes across a range of services.
| Service | Price Range |
| General lawn maintenance | $40 to $80 |
| Pruning and hedging | $290 to $600 |
| Fertilizing and seasonal preparation | $0.08 to $0.44 per square foot |
| Disease and pest prevention | $50 to $500 |
| Irrigation install and maintenance | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| Seasonal displays | Varies |
| Leaf removal | $190 to $540 |
| Lawn mowing | $25 to $60 per hour |
| Tree services | Up to $800 |
| Hardscape and landscape design | $2,600 to $4,600 |
Aside from this chart, you can also conduct your own research for competitive rates in your area.
General lawn maintenance and detailing can cost anywhere between $40 to $80 per hour. This includes general maintenance of a yard usually done once a week, twice a month, etc.
Pruning and hedging prices can range from $290 to more than $600. Final rates will depend on the complexity of the job and the amount of labor needed. For example, pruning a tall palm tree may cost more because of the liability, cleanup, and skill level involved.
Fertilizing and seasonal preparation depend on the size of the yard. Average costs to fertilize or seasonally prepare a yard can range from $0.08 to $0.44 per square foot.
Disease and pest prevention depends on the severity of the problem. The price can be as low as $50 to as high as $500 depending on what’s needed to fully remove pests and disease.
Rates for seasonal displays also depend on the type of display your client wants to add to their yard. Discuss with your client the design they’re looking for and determine the amount of maintenance, if any, you’ll need to include before offering a quote.
Leaf removal costs can range from $190 to $540 depending on the season and amount of work needed to complete the job.
Lawn mowing prices vary significantly. Some landscapers prefer to charge between $25 to $60 per hour, while others charge per acre. We recommend evaluating the scope of the work before determining the price point you're comfortable with.
Your irrigation system install and maintenance quotes will also fluctuate based on the needs of each client. Simple irrigation fixes can cost as low as $45. If the client needs an irrigation system installation, the average range is $1,800 to $3,500.
Tree services costs fluctuate depending on the type and number of trees as well as the work needed. Simply pruning a tree may cost a couple hundred dollars, but removing a large tree can cost nearly $800.
Hardscape and landscape designs will depend on the size of the yard, the complexity of the project, and the number of meetings you may have with a client. Cost of designs range from $2,600 to $4,600. Although some noteworthy landscapers may charge more than $10,000 for their work.
As you may know, the size of the yard, the costs of goods, and the location (a California landscaper may charge more than a landscaper in Kentucky based on the cost of living) are all factors that will determine your final quote.
It can be difficult to say “no” to any gig, especially if you’re looking to build your clientele. However, undercharging clients can lead to long-term problems for yourself and your business.
A telltale sign you’re undercharging is when your rates have remained the same for a long time. If your rates have largely remained unchanged for the last five years without considering the costs of inflation, market prices, or recent supply shortages due to the pandemic, then it’s time to update your pricing.
You may also be tempted to undercharge when a potential client tells you a competitor is willing to charge less for the same service. Lowering your rates to snag this client can devalue yourself, your work, the work of any employees, and in the long run, put your business at risk.
Business coaches across industries agree that undercharging can lead to several issues including exhaustion, a lack of a work-life balance, reduced productivity and can affect your bottom line.
Rather than undercharging for your work, help your clients understand the value of your services by staying competitive, being transparent about costs, offering the best customer service, and showing before and after content of your work.
The Landscaping Services Industry is a whopping $105.1 billion industry in the U.S. alone, according to the latest IBIS World Landscaping Services Industry Report. Researchers found the industry grew by 2.5% per year between 2016 and 2021, making the Landscaping Services Industry a faster-growing category than the administration, business support, and waste management sectors.
Despite the industry seeing a rapid increase, researchers expect to see a slight decline—0.2% in 2021—due to “high competition and low barriers to entry.”
Despite the slight, expected drop in revenue in 2021, researchers see overall growth in the coming years. “An aging population is expected to benefit the industry, too, as senior citizens seek landscaping professionals to maintain their yards,” the report said.