Yard cleanup costs an average of $360, and most homeowners pay between $100 and $1,100 to clean up their yard.
The average cost for a yard cleanup is $360, with most homeowners paying between $100 and $1,100. Prices will depend on yard size, amount of yard waste, and services performed. A quarter-acre yard cleanup costs an average of $200 to $500, and a full-acre cleanup averages between $500 and $1,100.
Yard cleanup jobs are all unique—some require simple leaf removal, while others call for everything from junk hauling to brand-new turf installation.
Here are some ways to break down the cost of yard cleanup based on your project.
The acreage of your yard is the basic starting point in determining your yard cleanup cost. Keep in mind that costs can significantly vary depending on the extent of work your yard needs.
A tiny lawn covered in debris may end up costing more than a large lawn that just needs a bit of raking. For example, a 1/5 acre will cost $100 to $300, while 1 acre will cost $500 to $1,100.
| Yard Size | Average Cost of Cleanup |
|---|---|
| 1/6 acre | $100–$200 |
| 1/5 acre | $100–$300 |
| 1/4 acre | $200–$500 |
| 1/2 acre | $200–$700 |
| 3/4 acre | $300–$800 |
| 1 acre | $500–$1,100 |
The true cost of yard cleanup comes down to which services you need to get your lawn looking its best. Costs account for the amount of labor, who you need to hire, and the equipment required to do the job.
| Yard Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Leaf Removal | $190–$600 |
| Junk Removal | $60–$600 |
| Mowing | $50–$200 |
| Weeding | $70–$150 |
| Mulching | $75 per cubic yard |
| Hedge and Tree Pruning | $75–$850 |
| Lawn Aeration | $0.10–$0.35 per square foot |
| Garden Cleanup | $45–$75 per hour |
Where you live will tip the scales of the cost of professional yard cleanup due to labor costs, the availability of local pros, and the standard size of local lawns.
Price ranges of yard cleanup around the country include:
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| New York | $230–$560 |
| Los Angeles | $230–$630 |
| Houston | $170–$660 |
| Pittsburgh | $160–$480 |
| Portland | $290–$860 |
If you have a few trees that cause trouble—such as ones that drop fruit, acorns, and slippery flower petals—it can be helpful to have a yard cleanup team regularly on hand. Much like home cleaning services, many landscapers will offer package pricing for pre-scheduled visits.
One annual visit will cost an average of $360, quarterly contracts will cost about $500 a year, and monthly cleanups just $600 a year. In the end, you may end up getting more for your money if you find and hire a dependable team for regular services.
| Frequency | Average Cost per Cleanup |
|---|---|
| Annual | $360 |
| Quarterly | $125 |
| Monthly | $50 |
When booking a yard cleanup service, pay close attention to each potential company’s pricing method. Some companies charge an hourly rate for labor and services, while others charge a flat rate. You can expect to pay $30 to $80 per hour for yard cleanup labor costs. Some companies may base your project cost on your yard size, namely the cubic or square footage covered.
| Pricing Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $30–$80 |
| Flat rate | $170–$1460 |
| Per square foot | $0.02–$0.05 |
There's no question that every lawn needs a bit of attention coming out of the winter or right after all the leaves fall in autumn. You may find seasonal prices for yard cleanup depending on your region's climate. On average, fall cleanup costs between $200 and $500, while spring cleanup costs about $100 to $300. Other fall lawn care services like mulching, thatching, and aeration can add to the cost.
| Season | Average Cost | Common Services |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | $100–$300 | Clear remaining leaves and debris, pull or trim weeds, mow and edge lawn |
| Fall | $200–$500 | Remove fallen leaves and debris, clear walkways and plant beds, mow and edge lawn |
As with most maintenance tasks, the more often you clean up your yard, the easier it’ll be. An annual cleanup will remove all fallen leaves and debris at the end of the season, but many landscapers will offer a discounted rate for a series of smaller visits throughout the season.
More frequent cleanups will also leave your lawn better-looking and healthier, since you won’t be leaving a thick cover of fallen leaves to smother your grass, block sunlight, and attract pests. Leaves will decompose over time, but heavily treed yards should remove leaves to prevent harming their grass.
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
The needs of a stressed lawn and landscape often go beyond simple junk hauling and leaf blowing. Spruce up your entire outdoor living space with these additional yard cleaning services.
| Additional Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Fence maintenance | $300–$900 |
| Pool maintenance | $110–$350 |
| Gutter cleaning | $120–$230 |
| Driveway pressure washing | $100–$500 |
| Patio pressure washing | $100–$200 |
| Stump grinding | $170–$500 |
| Landscaping | $1,270–$6,000 |
| Land clearing | $500–$5,600 per acre |
Many homeowners clean up their own yards rather than hire a pro. The job can be labor-intensive and requires an initial investment in equipment and tools. Hiring someone to do yard work like cleanups will save you time and effort, and a local leaf removal service can clear your yard in just a few hours.
| Lawn Cleanup Equipment | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Lawn mower | $350–$1000 |
| Rake | $10–$50 |
| String Trimmer | $50–$300 |
| Leaf Blower | $50–$500 |
| Hedge Trimmer | $30–$150 |
There's no question that the best way to cut costs when cleaning your lawn is to take as much as possible on yourself.
However, when it comes to lowering costs for professional yard cleanup, consider these tips:
Hire a yard team for regular, ongoing visits.
Address turf, garden, tree, and shrub issues early.
Speak to at least three local companies to compare estimates.
Research local organizations that haul junk or accept donations for free.
Hire a landscaping team outside of the high seasons.
Always begin by removing large debris, leaves, and branches from your lawn to make way for the rest of your lawn maintenance checklist. Move on to mowing, weeding, and edging in the spaces between your lawn and garden. Lastly, clean off all hardscapes, porches, and patios for a fresh and tidy appearance.
If your lawn and general landscape are struggling, consider calling a local landscape specialist to suggest lawn amendments, local plants, and hardscape changes to boost the long-term health of your outdoor space. While you may be able to take on small projects yourself—such as reseeding your lawn or testing the soil—a professional can help you build a plan to bring a struggling yard back to life.
The best way to clean an overgrown yard is to create a multi-stage game plan, from clearing out the debris to cutting the edges. Get rid of yard debris like worn furniture and broken tools first, then start trimming and raking what’s left. Mow the grass, trim the hedges, and rake leaves away. Once that’s complete, move on to more detailed work, like pulling weeds and replanting gardens.
