The average homeowner pays about $944 for bushes and hedge trimming. Depending on the state of your bushes and how much they need trimming, you may pay anywhere between $450 and $1,439.
Wondering how much it costs to trim bushes? Professional bush and hedge trimming costs $944 on average but you can expect to pay between $450 and $1,439.
Maintaining your yard with the help of a landscaper can be costly, but certain projects are more affordable than others. Of course, the exact amount you’ll pay largely depends on the size of the bushes and the cost of landscapers in your area. Check out how much it costs to trim bushes and how to budget for this project.
Calculations are based on the cost of trimming a small group of shrubs or bushes. Calculations rounded to the nearest whole number.
Bush Trimming | 1–3 bushes | $150–$850 |
Bush Hauling Service | 1–3 bushes | $25–$100 |
Optional: Adding a Plant Growth Regulator | 1–3 bushes | $30–$500 |
Total | $175–$950 | |
Total per Bush | $58–$317 | |
Total with Options | $205–$1,450 | |
Total per Bush with Options | $68–$483 |
To calculate the cost of trimming hedges or bushes, follow these steps:
Determine the type and number of trimming services: Start by determining whether the shrubbery in question are hedges or bushes, and then count the number that need trimming.
Get quotes from local trimming services: Shop around to at least three local bush trimming services to determine their pricing. Ask about how they bundle pricing and services for multiple shrubs.
Calculate the price: Once you’ve settled on a bush trimming service, multiply their per bush pricing by the number in your yard that need trimming.
One of the easier projects to tackle around your home is trimming your bushes or hedges. This task keeps the outside of your home looking aesthetically pleasing, and it’s an affordable maintenance option compared to larger-scale landscaping projects.
While the average cost to trim bushes is {{nationalAvgCost}}, how much you’ll pay is largely determined by the type of plants.
Type of Plant | Average Cost |
---|---|
Hedges | $200–$3,000+ |
Bushes | $150–$850 |
Trees | $75–$1,500+ |
The cost of trimming hedges depends on the hedges’ height and length. Hedges that are six feet or taller cost more because landscapers will likely need to use ladders. Pruning smaller hedges may cost as little as $200, while pruning long hedges can cost $3,000 or more. You should also consider whether your hedge is long overdue for pruning. The longer you go without doing proper maintenance, the higher the cost of hedge trimming.
Your landscaper will give you a pruning estimate based on how many bushes and hedges you have on your property. Your landscaper may offer discounts on multiple trees and shrubs that need pruning. That’s why it helps to take a look at your yard as a whole and determine everywhere you may need a landscaper’s help in the near future.
Number of Bushes | Cost Range |
---|---|
5 | $30–$80 |
10 | $60–$160 |
15 | $90–$240 |
20 | $120–$320 |
Larger bushes require more equipment to trim, such as ladders and additional safety equipment, so you may pay a higher price to get these trimmed. Additionally, if you have many bushes or hedges that need professional trimming versus one or two, you’ll pay on the higher end of the price range since it requires more time and effort.
Bush Size in Feet | Cost Range |
---|---|
0–2 | $3–$6 |
2–6 | $6–$16 |
6+ | $16–$35 |
The location of your bushes and hedges on your property can impact the price of trimming. For example, bushes that are close to your home require landscaping pros to take extra caution so as to not damage your home features, such as siding or windows.
If you have tall shrubs near a sidewalk or the side of the road, landscaping pros may have to take extra cautionary steps to avoid traffic or pedestrians. These obstructions cause workers to take longer trimming your bushes or hedges, increasing the service price, especially if you’re paying by the hour.
Some landscaping professionals charge an additional fee for cleaning up the debris left by the bushes and hedges. Since this cleanup process takes time and they have to haul away the materials, an extra cost often makes sense. Still, some companies build the cleanup into the total price and others charge hauling separately.
If hauling is a separate charge from the pruning job, expect to pay $25 to $100. If you combine the pruning with other bush removal services, the hauling can cost $200 to $500.
Trimming bushes isn’t a one-time fix. You must keep up with the trimming each year to ensure your hedges don’t become overgrown, potentially causing damage to your home or protruding into your neighbor’s yards.
It’s best to plan to pay a monthly, quarterly, or at least yearly fee for professional bush and hedge maintenance services. Plus, your landscaping pros may offer a discount for frequent services, and they can help you determine when to trim your bushes for maximum growth.
Generally, trimming and pruning bushes is a straightforward process, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other costs you should consider before deciding to work with a professional landscaper.
Adding plant growth regulator: $30–$500
Landscape consultation: $100–$200
Pest control: $50–$500
Trimming your bushes is doable on your own, but you’ll need the right tools and some practice to perfect the process. Trimming and pruning bushes involves cutting overgrown branches so the bush or hedge maintains its shape and can allow other plants to grow around it.
If you want a particular shape or have a wall of bushes or shrubs that need help, DIYing the process may be difficult. That’s when calling in a landscaping expert in your area makes more sense. These pros have the skills, tools, and experience necessary to trim your shrubbery, inspect them for any issues, and recommend a year-round maintenance schedule.
Trimming bushes and hedges is a basic task for most landscaping pros, so adding on additional services may help you score a better deal and keep your yard looking even better.
While you’re at it, consider asking your landscapers if they offer lawn-cutting services, leaf removal, or tree limb trimming.
Mowing cost: $50–$200
Leaf removal cost:$150–$600
Tree trimming cost: $75–$1,800
Whether you DIY the project or work with landscapers or arborists, there are ways you can cut down on the cost associated with trimming your bushes and hedges. Here are a few tips to help you save:
DIY whenever you can: Trimming bushes is something most people can learn on their own. Spend some time looking at YouTube videos and get a sense of how to trim bushes or hedges. This can save you from hiring someone.
If you DIY, get the proper tools: Purchase high-quality pruning shears and other essential trimming tools. While there may be an upfront cost, these tools can last longer and provide better results, saving you money in the long run.
Utilize trimmings around your garden: Instead of bagging and disposing of the trimmed branches, consider using them as mulch. Mulching can help retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for additional landscaping materials.
Get off-season work done: Consider scheduling professional trimming during off-peak seasons when landscapers might offer discounts to fill their schedules. Avoid peak times, such as spring and fall, when demand is high.
Consider full removal: If you moved into a home with bushes you simply can’t manage, it may make sense to pay for removal instead of constant trimming.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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You only need to trim your bushes as often as it takes to keep them well-kept. Some people prefer perfect-looking hedges, which requires weekly maintenance, others don’t mind a more natural look, and a single trim each year may suffice. Additionally, the type of bushes you have determines how often you trim them. Certain bushes or hedges grow quicker than others, so consult your landscaping pro about the best maintenance schedule for your yard features.
Typically, the best type to trim bushes is when they’re dormant. Winter and late fall, potentially even early spring are the best times to trim your bushes. These seasons allow you better access to the branches, as all leaves are gone and the branches are more brittle, making the trimming process easier.
You can cut a shrub or bush back pretty far before it dies. Still, if you cut too far, it can take years for the bush to regrow, or the plant may be damaged beyond repair. If that’s the case, the entire bush may die. That’s why it’s best to hire a landscaping professional to handle bush and hedge trimming services and avoid an accidental cut that damages the entire shrubbery.