There is no single nationwide Earth First price list: businesses using the Earth First name set their own rates, and services may differ by location. For U.S. buyers comparing eco-minded lawn and landscape work, a basic visit may cost $50-$150, while seasonal plans or installation projects can run from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on area, yard size, materials, and labor.
The ranges below are planning estimates, not verified prices from a specific Earth First provider. Confirm the company’s service list, minimum charge, and written quote before booking.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic lawn visit | $50 | $90 | $150 | Mowing and simple edging on a small to medium yard |
| Monthly lawn maintenance | $120 | $250 | $500 | Usually two to four visits; scope and season vary |
| Organic lawn treatment | $60 | $110 | $200 | Per application; yard size and products affect rate |
| Garden bed installation | $500 | $1,800 | $5,000+ | Small planting bed through a larger designed area |
| Mulch installation | $45 | $75 | $120 | Per cubic yard installed; delivery and bed prep may add cost |
What an Earth First lawn care visit may cost
For routine mowing and basic edging, a small, level lawn may cost $50-$80 per visit. A typical suburban property often falls near $75-$120, while a large or complicated lot can reach $150-$250 or more. Those figures assume a standard visit without extensive trimming, leaf removal, or hauling.
Some providers quote by visit; others offer a monthly or seasonal plan. A plan covering weekly mowing in peak growth may cost $200-$500 per month, while less frequent service may be lower. Ask whether the estimate includes edging, blowing off hard surfaces, trimming around obstacles, and disposal of clippings.
For a basic residential visit, budget about $50-$150, then adjust for lot size, growth, and included tasks. Assumptions: typical U.S. residential property, normal access, routine lawn condition, and no major cleanup.
How labor, materials, and hauling appear on a quote
An itemized estimate helps distinguish the service charge from products and extra work. Labor may be bundled into a visit price, but larger projects are often quoted by task, crew hour, or installed unit. Rates vary by market; a common planning range for landscaping labor is $40-$85 per worker-hour, before materials and business overhead.
| Quote component | Typical rate | What changes the charge | Common scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $40-$85 per worker-hour | Crew size, travel, access, and task difficulty | Mowing, planting, pruning, bed preparation |
| Organic lawn treatment | $60-$200 per application | Square footage, product, and number of treatments | Fertilizer or soil amendment application |
| Mulch and delivery | $30-$70 per cubic yard for material | Mulch type, order size, and delivery distance | Bark, wood, or leaf-based mulch |
| Disposal and hauling | $50-$250 per load | Volume, weight, dump fees, and distance | Branches, leaves, sod, or old plants |
| Equipment or access surcharge | $25-$150 per job | Special equipment, steep slopes, or restricted access | Hard-to-reach or unusually demanding work |
A simple estimating formula for labor is . For example, two workers on a three-hour cleanup at $55 per worker-hour would represent $330 in labor before disposal, supplies, or minimum charges. A contractor may quote a fixed project price instead.
Ask for labor, materials, delivery, and disposal to be shown separately when the job is larger than a routine visit. Assumptions: standard residential landscaping, no major grading, and ordinary disposal access.
Why yard size and treatment type change the estimate
Square footage is a major price driver because it determines mowing time and the amount of seed, fertilizer, or soil amendment needed. A lawn under 5,000 square feet may qualify for a minimum visit charge; an area above 10,000 square feet often costs more than a simple per-visit rate. Slopes, gates, trees, and narrow side yards can add labor even when the measured area is modest.
For treatment applications, a rough planning range is $0.01-$0.04 per square foot, or about $100-$400 per acre, depending on the product and service. Organic or specialty inputs can cost more than basic materials. The provider should state the treated area, product type, application frequency, and whether watering or follow-up is included.
Garden work varies by design and plant selection. A small bed refresh with basic plants and mulch might cost $500-$1,200; a larger installation with soil improvement, edging, and more mature plants can reach $2,000-$5,000 or more. Replacing a few plants is not priced like creating a new bed from bare ground.
At 5,000 square feet or 10,000 square feet, confirm whether the quote uses measured turf area or the entire parcel. Assumptions: prices reflect common residential scopes; steep terrain, irrigation changes, and premium plants are additional.
What three sample Earth First-style quotes could include
Because Earth First providers are not one national franchise with a common tariff, these examples show how comparable eco-oriented lawn and landscape quotes might be structured. They are estimates for budgeting, not official prices. Local wages, service minimums, and product choices can move totals substantially.
| Example job | Scope and labor | Unit pricing | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small-lawn maintenance | 3,000 sq ft; one worker, 1 hour | $65 visit; $0 materials | $65-$85 |
| Organic treatment plan | 8,000 sq ft; 3 applications, about 3 crew-hours total | $0.015-$0.03 per sq ft per treatment | $360-$720 per season |
| Mulch and planting refresh | 250 sq ft bed; 2 workers, 6 hours; 3 cubic yards | $45-$120 per cubic yard installed, plus plants | $900-$1,800 |
A quote that differs from these examples may still be reasonable if the scope is different. A steep lot, heavy weed growth, edging by hand, a long drive, or extensive hauling can add hours. Conversely, a compact, accessible property with repeat service may be cheaper than a one-time visit.
Compare the work included, not just the total at the bottom of the estimate. Example assumptions: ordinary access, midrange regional labor, and no irrigation or hardscape construction.
How Midwest, coastal, and rural service areas compare
Landscaping rates commonly vary with local wages, fuel, disposal fees, and demand. As a budgeting rule, an urban coastal market may run 15%-35% above a national-style midpoint, while a lower-cost rural market may be 10%-25% below it. These are broad comparisons rather than fixed regional surcharges; nearby towns can differ as much as distant regions.
In high-cost metro areas, a $90 routine visit might instead be $105-$125, particularly when parking, travel, or labor availability is difficult. In a rural area, the same work could be $70-$85, but a long drive may trigger a minimum or travel fee. Hot, wet regions with long growing seasons may also require more frequent mowing than colder areas.
Request a local estimate that identifies the service radius, visit frequency, and any minimum charge. For a treatment plan, confirm whether local climate affects the schedule or product application. A company may recommend fewer or more visits based on grass type and growing conditions rather than using a uniform national calendar.
Use regional percentages only as a first budget adjustment; the local written quote is the meaningful comparison. Assumptions: routine residential work, similar yard condition, and no unusual travel or disposal costs.
When do add-ons, cleanup, and minimum charges apply?
One-time cleanups often cost more than regular maintenance because crews must remove accumulated leaves, weeds, or overgrowth. A light cleanup may be $150-$350; a heavily neglected yard can cost $500-$1,500 or more, particularly when hauling is included. Ask whether the quote covers the number of bags, cubic yards, or loads being removed.
Common extras include shrub trimming at roughly $5-$15 per shrub for light work, leaf removal at $150-$600 per visit, and lawn aeration at $75-$200 for a typical residential yard. These are broad estimates; tall hedges, large trees, bagging requirements, and disposal restrictions change the price. A minimum service charge of $50-$100 may apply even for a small task.
Delivery is another line to check when ordering mulch, compost, or soil. Material can be inexpensive per yard but cost more after a small-load fee or a long delivery route. If a provider lists a delivery charge separately, ask whether it changes with order size and whether the drop location is accessible to the truck.
Define cleanup limits and hauling volume before work begins to avoid an open-ended add-on. Assumptions: typical residential volumes and no hazardous waste, large tree removal, or special disposal rules.
Could a repair or simpler material lower the price?
For lawn damage, spot repair may cost less than replacing the entire lawn. Overseeding a reasonably healthy area often costs $0.05-$0.20 per square foot, while sod installation commonly ranges from $1-$3 per square foot installed. Extensive soil preparation, grading, irrigation work, or premium sod can raise replacement costs. Compare the condition of the existing lawn and ask what repair can realistically achieve.
Mulch is another place to manage the budget. Standard shredded hardwood or bark is usually less expensive than specialty-colored mulch, stone, or decorative materials. Stone can have a higher upfront material and installation price, although it may last longer; it can also require landscape fabric and more preparation. Compare installed cost and future maintenance rather than material price alone.
For plantings, smaller nursery stock generally costs less than mature specimens, but may take longer to fill in. Keeping healthy existing plants, limiting the bed footprint, and selecting locally suitable species can reduce both installation and replacement expenses. Avoid removing established plants solely to create a uniform design unless the quote accounts for their replacement value.
Ask for a repair option and a lower-cost material alternative alongside any full replacement proposal. Assumptions: existing soil and drainage are usable, and the project does not require a new irrigation system.
Which quote details should be confirmed before booking?
Request an itemized scope showing the property area, task frequency, products, labor assumptions, and cleanup. The proposal should say whether prices are per visit, per application, per square foot, or per project. It should also state whether taxes, disposal, delivery, and travel are included, and whether the price is fixed or can change after an onsite inspection.
Ask whether the company charges for a site visit or estimate. Many routine lawn estimates are free, but diagnostic visits or detailed design plans may cost $50-$200, sometimes credited toward the project. Confirm any cancellation fee, rescheduling policy, payment timing, and warranty or callback terms for installed plants or treatments.
For chemical or organic treatments, request the product name and application rate, along with any instructions for pets, children, or watering. “Organic” alone does not define a uniform service or guarantee a specific result. Compare the number of applications and treated area before using the quoted total to judge value.
A comparable quote must cover the same area, visit count, materials, and disposal scope. Assumptions: estimates are for ordinary residential service; detailed design, specialty treatments, and major construction may have separate fees.