Leaf removal costs $376 on average, with most homeowners paying between $190 and $591. These costs depend on the size of your yard and the number of trees.
The average cost for leaf removal is $376, but the total can range anywhere from $190 to $591 for most homeowners. Some homeowners with larger yards could end up paying as much as $1,200 for this project. Autumn leaves are beautiful to look at (and even more fun to crunch beneath your feet), but eventually, you’ll have to tackle your messy yard. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about leaf removal cost.
The cost of leaf removal will depend on several factors, such as lawn size, leaf removal method, and the frequency of service. Here are some cost factors that may influence your final price.
The size of your property will affect how much you pay for leaf removal services. Smaller yards often have fewer trees and less space for leaves to fall. On the other hand, larger yards with an abundance of trees will inevitably accumulate more leaves.
Some pros may charge by the acre, while others charge by square foot, especially for smaller properties. You can use an average leaf removal cost per acre to estimate your total, which sits between $400 and $1,000 per acre. For smaller yards or sections of larger ones, you can expect to pay between $0.02 and $0.10 per square foot.
Here are leaf removal cost estimates based on acre.
| Acre | Cost |
|---|---|
| ⅙ acre | $75–$175 |
| ⅕ acre | $80–$200 |
| ¼ acre | $100–$250 |
| ½ acre | $200–$500 |
| ¾ acre | $300–$750 |
| 1 acre | $400–$1,000 |
Your total cost for leaf removal will also depend on the leaf removal method you choose—raking, blowing, or vacuuming. The standard leaf removal cost per hour falls between $15 and $60, and where your labor costs fall in that range will depend on the method. Raking, of course, takes the most physical effort and time, but it might be the preferred method for small yards or areas near delicate plants or around a lot of obstructions. The increased labor will push your leaf removal cost per hour to between $25 and $50, which includes a $5 to $10 disposal fee per bag.
Leaf blowing makes the cleanup job easier and speedier and can cost anywhere between $15 and $45 per hour, including the price of $5 to $10 per disposal bag. Leaf blowing is often cheaper than raking and is the preferred method for larger yards.
Leaf vacuuming can also be a good alternative to raking. This method costs between $40 and $60 per hour due to the additional labor to empty the vacuum and bag the contents throughout the project. Those prices include a bagging and disposal fee of $5 to $10 per bag.
When choosing a leaf removal method, you’ll want to consider the associated pros and cons and how they’ll impact the cost. You may also have to account for a minimum service charge and other additional fees.
| Leaf Removal Method | Average Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Raking | $25–$50 |
| Blowing | $15–$45 |
| Vacuuming | $40–$60 |
You can hire a professional to rake leaves or blow them off your property once for a fall cleanup or throughout the fall season to keep your yard clean on an ongoing basis. Another common option is to contract your landscaper to come out once per year, and providing guaranteed work for the company can often earn you a discount on each service.
A one-time leaf removal service can cost anywhere between $200 and $850 with an average cost of around $525, whereas bi-weekly, quarterly, monthly, or yearly service could end up costing you less—all while saving time, energy, and helping you to maintain a beautiful lawn.
| Frequency of Service | Cost Range Per Year |
|---|---|
| One-Time Visit | $200–$850 |
| Annual Contract | $150–$500 |
| Quarterly Contract | $250–$750 |
| Monthly Contract | $300–$900 |
| Bi-weekly Contract | $1,000–$1,500 |
Generally, you should remove leaves from your yard at least twice per fall season. Leaves will decompose by the spring, and they can add helpful nutrients to your soil. However, larger, heavier leaves or piles of accumulating leaves can actually do more harm than good by compressing your grass, holding in too much moisture, and eliminating access to sunlight.
If you have just a tree or two on your property, you can probably get away with two leaf removal services per fall. If you have many trees or the leaves are building up in heavy piles, you should rake leaves at least once per month throughout the fall.
Of course, you should also consider your property’s aesthetics. If you want a clean-looking yard, aim for leaf removal once per week throughout the fall season.
Lawn care companies offer a wide range of services outside of basic leaf removal—like preparing flower beds or applying fertilizer—which can add to your property’s curb appeal and provide some additional benefits to your soil, plants, grass, and trees. Consider adding on other lawn services for an additional cost, including the following:
Gutter cleaning: $1–$2 per linear foot
Garden bed cleanup: $60–$100
Tree removal: $400–$1,200
Lawn aeration: $75–$200
Mulching: $50–$150
Curbside leaf pick-up: Up to $100
While a DIY leaf removal job can be relatively inexpensive, it will likely require a great deal of time and physical effort, especially if you want to remove leaves once per week for a clean yard. If you have a busy schedule or don’t feel like breaking a sweat, you should consider hiring a leaf removal company near you to handle the job, especially if you have a larger property.
A leaf removal company will usually charge you anywhere between $190 and $591 for a leaf cleanup, but they’ll save you time and energy.
Some municipalities provide leaf removal services, but if yours doesn't, you still have a few options. Consider composting your leaves or turning them into organic mulch. Never burn your leaves, though --- this is not only a fire hazard but the smoke can be harmful to your health and the environment
As far as the cost to remove leaves goes, tackling the project on your own can cost you just a few dollars for bags. Depending on the removal method, you may spend more on tools like a leaf blower or vacuum. Here are some cost estimates to consider should you choose to DIY a leaf removal.
| Tool/Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gardening gloves | $4–$20 |
| Leaf blower | $50–$400 |
| Leaf disposal bags | $25 for 100 |
| Leaf vacuum | $80–$400 |
| Rake | $14—$100+ |
Leaf removal can get expensive, especially if you need routine removal services throughout the fall season or have a large property. There are a few things you can do to keep costs down.
Opt for leaf blowing. The leaf removal cost per hour you’ll pay for services depends on the removal method. If you just want to protect your lawn and keep it clean, opting for leaf blowing is a good way to keep labor costs to a minimum.
Get service less often. Leaf removal services get more expensive the more often you need them. If you don’t mind some accumulation throughout the fall season, choose monthly services over weekly. Choosing just a single fall cleanup to prepare for winter will reduce costs even further.
Sign an annual contract. Many leaf removal companies offer a small discount to customers who sign a contract for ongoing annual service.
DIY if you have the time. If you have a smaller property and some spare time, you can save an average of around $376 by doing the work yourself.
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You have a few options to get rid of raked leaves, including bagging them and leaving them out for yard waste pickup. Even if you hire a professional for leaf removal, they can often bag the leaves and leave them for you to dispose of this way. You can also recycle and even donate yard waste. Leaves make excellent mulch and compost. If you have a compost bin, your leaves will be ready to help your plants grow, reducing spring cleanup landscaping costs. Some companies will even accept donations of raked leaves to make compost, but you’ill need to transport them yourself for disposal.
Leaf removal isn’t always necessary, and what you should do with leaves in your yard depends on the number of trees you have. Leaving a small amount of leaves to decompose on your property can add nutrients to the soil and help grass, plants, and trees thrive. However, large accumulations of leaves can promote mold and fungal growth, so you should do at least two fall cleanups if you have many trees on your property.
The most effective way to remove leaves is to blow them into piles and then bag them. This is faster and more efficient than raking, although it might not be a good idea to use a blower around delicate plants or mulched flower beds. You could leaf blow the bulk of your yard and then rake around garden beds for a quick and easy fall cleanup.
