The average price for raking leaves is about $150 for a typical residential yard, with many jobs ranging from $75 to $300. Yard size, leaf volume, bagging or hauling, and local labor rates have the biggest effect on the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small yard, rake and pile | $40 | $75 | $125 | Light leaf cover; no hauling |
| Typical yard, rake and bag | $75 | $150 | $300 | About 5,000-10,000 sq ft of lawn |
| Large or heavily wooded yard | $200 | $400 | $800+ | High leaf volume or several lawn areas |
| Hourly leaf cleanup | $25 | $40 | $75 | Per worker, often subject to minimum charges |
Assumptions: U.S. residential property, ordinary access, seasonal cleanup, and no major branch removal or specialized landscaping work.
What a Typical Leaf-Raking Visit Costs
For a relatively open yard with light to moderate leaf cover, a homeowner commonly pays $75-$150 for raking and gathering leaves. A standard service on a 5,000-10,000-square-foot lawn may cost $100-$250 when the crew also bags the leaves. The average bill is around $150, but local minimums and disposal arrangements can shift it.
Prices are often based on the whole job rather than a measured lawn area. As a rough comparison, straightforward raking may work out to $0.01-$0.04 per square foot of lawn. A half-acre property with dense tree cover can exceed $400 because the crew handles many more piles, bags, and trips.
For a typical yard, $100-$250 is a useful budget range when raking and bagging are both included. A quote should specify whether leaves are left in piles, placed in bags, moved to a curb, or hauled away.
Assumptions: One visit, 5,000-10,000 square feet of lawn, moderate leaf cover, and routine access.
How Raking, Bagging, and Hauling Shape the Quote
The labor task and disposal plan can make the difference between a basic cleanup and a larger service bill. Raking leaves into a designated pile is usually the least expensive option. Bagging adds time and supplies, while loading and hauling requires transport and may involve a disposal fee.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | Common cost trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raking and gathering | $50-$175 per visit | Rake leaves from lawn into piles | More lawn area or dense coverage |
| Bagging and curb placement | $25-$100 extra | Fill bags and move them to collection point | Many bags or long carrying distance |
| Leaf bags and supplies | $5-$25 | Contractor-provided bags or materials | Extra-heavy-duty or large bags |
| Hauling and disposal | $40-$200 extra | Load leaves and transport them off-site | Large volume, distance, or disposal charges |
| Blowing and detail work | $25-$100 extra | Clear patios, beds, walkways, and corners | Numerous hard surfaces or tight spaces |
Some lawn companies bundle leaf cleanup with mowing or fall maintenance. Bundling can reduce the second service’s travel or setup charge, but it does not necessarily lower the labor needed to collect heavy leaves. The estimate should identify whether bag fees, haul-away, and municipal collection are included.
Raking alone is not the same service as bagging and disposal, so compare quotes by the final destination of the leaves.
Why Lawn Size and Leaf Depth Change the Price
Lawn area matters, but the number of trees and the depth of the leaf layer can matter just as much. A 6,000-square-foot open lawn with a thin cover may take less time than a smaller yard beneath several mature maples. Wet leaves are heavier, cling to grass, and are slower to rake or blow, often increasing labor time.
Quotes may rise when the property has more than 10,000 square feet of lawn, more than 20-30 bags of leaves, or leaf layers deeper than 3-4 inches. Steep slopes, fences, narrow gates, garden beds, and long walks to the curb can also add time. A service may charge more when leaves must be cleared from both lawn and hardscaping.
For example, a two-person crew working 2-3 hours at an effective labor rate of $30-$50 per worker-hour represents $120-$300 in labor before supplies, overhead, or disposal. Companies may price a small job below that calculation only when they have a low minimum or can combine nearby visits.
Leaf volume and access often explain a larger price difference than lawn square footage alone.
Assumptions: Residential lawn, ordinary tools, and no unusual slope, locked access, or extensive bed cleanup.
How Long Does a Crew Need to Rake a Yard?
A single worker may need 1-2 hours for a small, open yard with light coverage. A typical property often takes a two-person crew 1-3 hours, while a wooded half-acre can require 3-6 hours or more, especially if leaves are bagged. Wet conditions and multiple trips to a collection point can stretch the visit.
Hourly rates commonly fall around $25-$75 per worker, but homeowners may not see an hourly line item. Companies often use a fixed quote that covers travel, setup, labor, equipment, and business overhead. A minimum charge of $50-$100 is common for short visits, so a brief job may not be priced at the worker’s hourly rate alone.
Before booking, confirm the crew size, whether the estimate is fixed or hourly, and how additional time is billed if the leaf volume is greater than expected. If the yard is unusually large or covered, photographs or a site visit can improve the estimate.
Ask whether the quoted amount is for the whole job or a set number of labor hours.
Leaf-Raking Prices in Cities and Smaller Towns
Rates vary with local wages, travel distance, seasonal demand, and disposal rules. In lower-cost rural or small-town markets, routine raking may run about 10%-20% below a national-style estimate. Dense metropolitan areas and high-cost coastal markets can be 15%-35% above the middle range, particularly when parking, access, or disposal adds time.
For a typical yard that might cost $150 in a moderate-cost market, a similar service could be roughly $120-$135 in a lower-cost area or $175-$205 in an expensive metro. These are planning comparisons, not guaranteed regional rates. Large cities may have higher labor costs but more contractors competing for jobs; remote locations can carry travel minimums.
Local leaf collection programs also affect the quote. If a municipality accepts bagged leaves at the curb on scheduled days, the homeowner may avoid a private hauling charge. Collection rules, approved bags, pickup dates, and yard-waste limits differ by city, so the service scope should match local requirements.
Regional price differences commonly reach 10%-35%, while access and disposal can outweigh the citywide average.
Assumptions: Same yard size and leaf volume; regional comparisons reflect labor and access differences rather than a fixed local tariff.
Three Leaf-Cleanup Quotes for Different Yard Sizes
A 3,000-square-foot open lawn with light leaves could be quoted at $60-$100 for raking into a pile. If the homeowner wants the leaves bagged and placed at the curb, the total may reach $85-$140. A one-person visit might take about 1-2 hours; hauling is not included.
A 7,500-square-foot suburban yard with moderate coverage could cost $125-$225 for raking and bagging. A two-person crew might spend 2-3 hours and fill 10-20 bags. Adding off-site disposal may bring the total to roughly $175-$325, depending on volume and distance.
A wooded 20,000-square-foot property with deep, wet leaves might cost $350-$650 for a full cleanup, including gathering and bagging. A three-person crew could spend 3-5 hours, and a long carry or truck haul may add $75-$200. Heavy leaf piles may push the total above $800.
| Property scenario | Labor estimate | Raking and collection | Likely total with disposal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, open lawn | 1 worker, 1-2 hours | $60-$140 | $85-$180 |
| Typical yard, moderate leaves | 2 workers, 2-3 hours | $125-$225 | $175-$325 |
| Wooded, larger property | 3 workers, 3-5 hours | $350-$650 | $425-$850+ |
These examples show why a disposal-inclusive quote can be substantially higher than a rake-and-pile price. The figures assume normal access and no branch pickup, gutter cleaning, or lawn treatment.
When Extra Bags, Wet Leaves, or Hauling Add Fees
Extra charges usually come from additional handling rather than the rake itself. Contractors may charge $25-$100 for bagging beyond the agreed amount, or $40-$200 for hauling depending on the load and distance. Some services set a per-bag rate of about $2-$6 when the homeowner supplies the bags, while others quote by truckload.
Wet leaves, leaves embedded in groundcover, and piles spread across multiple sections can increase labor by 20%-50% compared with a dry, open lawn. Clearing leaves from flower beds, under shrubs, or around outdoor furniture may also be considered detail work. Moving furniture or opening gates can reduce delays, but heavy items should be left to the crew.
Ask about minimum charges, extra-bag rates, disposal fees, and what happens if the visible leaf volume exceeds the estimate. A photo-based quote may exclude hidden leaves under shrubs or behind sheds. If the contractor expects to charge more after arrival, the estimate should explain how that change is calculated.
Confirm the maximum included bag or load count before accepting a low base price.
How to Lower a Leaf-Raking Bill Without Cutting Necessary Work
Reduce the bill by making the work area easy to reach and choosing only the service needed. If municipal pickup is available, ask for raking and curb placement rather than private hauling. Clearing toys, hoses, and movable furniture in advance can prevent paid labor from being spent on basic access preparation.
Schedule before leaves become wet and compacted when practical. A dry, timely cleanup is generally faster than dealing with several inches of soaked leaves after a storm. For a property with heavy fall coverage, two planned visits may be easier to price and manage than one emergency cleanup, though the total depends on how much material accumulates between visits.
Compare at least two or three itemized quotes using the same scope: lawn area, bagging, hard-surface cleanup, haul-away, and disposal. A lower quote that leaves bags on the curb is not directly comparable with a quote that removes all debris. Bundling with mowing may save a trip charge, but avoid paying for optional bed cleanup or leaf removal from areas that do not require it.
The most dependable savings come from limiting disposal and detail work, not from leaving essential lawn areas covered.
Assumptions: Municipal curbside collection is permitted, leaves are accessible, and the quoted scope can be adjusted before work begins.