6 Lawn Care Questions to Ask About Yard Clean-Up

What to ask before you leaf your clean-up to a pro

A man stacking tree branches
Photo: Rike_ / E+ / Getty Images
A man stacking tree branches
Photo: Rike_ / E+ / Getty Images
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Whether you have concrete piles from a demolition project, old car tires, or leaves and tree debris in the fall, a professional yard clean-up can get your property back into tip-top shape. To make sure you’re prepared for the initial conversation with your pro, make sure you can answer the following lawn care questions they’re likely to ask.

1. What debris needs to be removed?

A yard clean-up can include removing most materials, such as piles of wood, tree debris, old concrete pavers, deteriorating patio furniture, and more. Your local yard clean-up pro will need to have a good idea of what they’ll be removing to calculate labor costs, dumping fees, and your project timeline.

2. Will you need recurring services?

Your professional will also need to know if this will be a one-off removal job or if you need ongoing services every fall or multiple times throughout the year in heavily wooded areas. Most experts will offer small discounts for recurring services if you schedule in advance, so this can impact upfront and long-term pricing.

3. When do you need the clean-up done?

A standard spring or fall clean-up will rarely take more than a day unless you have an oversized property, but one-off clean-ups that include hauling away accumulating junk can take longer. Your pro will ask when you want the project done so they can schedule the work and ensure it meets your timeline while also working around the weather.

4. What is your budget?

A yard clean-up costs an average of $360, and prices for most projects fall between $200 and $600, depending on the size of your property and what you need removed. Your pro can use your budget to determine what services work within that price range.

5. How big is your yard?

Most professionals will price yard clean-up services based on your property size, ranging from $0.02 to $0.10 per square foot. Expect to pay closer to the lower end of that range for leaves, sticks, and other standard tree debris and toward the higher end if your removal includes junk.

6. Do you need any additional landscaping services?

Most companies that offer lawn clean-up services can also tackle other landscaping services, so your professional will ask if you need anything else done at the same time. Some common options include mowing, edging, weeding, laying down mulch, tree pruning, lawn aeration, and even spreading fertilizer. These will all drive up your lawn clean-up costs but can help you get your yard looking its best.

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