Lawn clean up typically costs $100-$600 for a standard residential yard, with an average near $300; overgrown lots or extensive leaf and brush removal can exceed $1,000. Yard size, debris volume, bed work, hauling distance, and local labor rates drive the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic seasonal cleanup | $100 | $300 | $600 | Typical quarter- to half-acre property |
| Leaf removal | $75 | $200 | $500 | Price rises with deep leaves and hauling |
| Overgrown yard cleanup | $300 | $700 | $1,500+ | May include brush cutting and multiple loads |
| Per-hour crew rate | $40 | $65 | $100 | Per worker, usually before disposal fees |
| Per-acre cleanup | $300 | $700 | $1,500+ | Depends on terrain, vegetation, and scope |
What a typical lawn cleanup costs by yard size
For a maintained yard of about 5,000-10,000 square feet, a one-time seasonal cleanup commonly runs $150-$450. That often covers mowing or trimming, raking or blowing leaves, clearing small branches, and tidying accessible planting beds. The price assumes ordinary access and a moderate amount of debris.
A larger half-acre property may cost $300-$800, while a one-acre lot can reach $500-$1,500 when it has extensive lawn edges, mature trees, or brush. Contractors may quote by the job, by crew hours, or by the area to be cleared. A small minimum charge of $75-$150 is common even when the work takes less than an hour.
Per-square-foot prices are less common for routine yard cleanup than flat estimates. When used, expect roughly $0.02-$0.08 per square foot for basic work; a dense, neglected lot can cost more. Per-acre pricing may start near $300 for light clearing and climb above $1,500 for heavy growth, uneven terrain, or substantial hauling.
Assumptions: typical U.S. suburban labor rates, standard yard tools, moderate debris, and no major tree work. A $250-$400 quote is a reasonable starting benchmark for a maintained, average-size yard.
How leaves, bed work, and hauling appear on quotes
A cleanup estimate may bundle several tasks into one price, so buyers should confirm what is included. Leaf collection, mowing, edging, pruning, bed cleanup, and disposal are often priced separately when the property needs more than a basic seasonal pass.
| Quote component | Typical range | Common pricing basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf raking or blowing | $75-$350 | $0.01-$0.04 per sq ft | Leaf depth, wet leaves, and tree cover |
| Mowing and trimming | $40-$120 | Flat rate per visit | Grass height, lot size, obstacles |
| Bed and border cleanup | $50-$250 | $25-$60 per labor hour | Bed count, hand weeding, edging |
| Light shrub pruning | $50-$300 | $10-$30 per shrub | Shrub size and number of cuts |
| Debris hauling and disposal | $50-$250 | $30-$100 per load | Volume, dump fees, travel distance |
| Brush cutting | $100-$600 | $50-$100 per crew hour | Stems, thorns, slope, and density |
Labor accounts for much of a typical quote. A two-person crew working three hours at $50-$75 per worker-hour represents $300-$450 in labor before disposal, equipment, or business overhead. A useful estimate check is .
Disposal is not always included. Some companies leave bagged leaves at the curb, while others load and haul them away. Ask whether the quote includes bags, truck loading, dump charges, and any municipal leaf collection requirements. Comparing the same task list and disposal terms is more useful than comparing two totals alone.
How lot size, leaf depth, and overgrowth change the price
Square footage matters, but the usable work area matters more than the property’s full lot size. A half-acre with a small lawn and large wooded section may need less cleanup than a quarter-acre with mature trees covering every bed and path. Tell estimators which areas are included and whether the backyard, side yard, and curb strip need service.
Leaf depth changes the crew’s time and disposal volume. A light layer can fit within a basic visit, while a 6-inch or deeper layer may require multiple passes, bagging, or a second load. Wet leaves can weigh several times more than dry leaves, making collection and hauling slower and potentially adding $50-$200.
Growth height is another price threshold. Grass above about 8-12 inches may need brush-cutting equipment or multiple mowing passes; that can add $75-$300 or more compared with routine mowing. Woody brush, vines, and saplings wider than 1 inch often require heavier tools and more handling than leaves or soft weeds.
Access and terrain also affect the estimate. Narrow gates, steep slopes, retaining walls, scattered toys, and long walks to the truck slow the crew. If the debris pile is more than 50-100 feet from vehicle access, some providers add labor or hauling charges. Deep leaves, tall vegetation, and difficult access are the most common reasons a cleanup exceeds a basic flat-rate quote.
Choose a smaller cleanup scope before cutting labor
The easiest cost control is to define what must be done now and what can wait. A quote that includes mowing, leaf removal, shrub pruning, bed edging, and hauling can be reduced by limiting the visit to priority areas. Ask for separate prices for optional tasks rather than accepting an all-inclusive package without a breakdown.
Leaving small quantities of clean leaves in a designated compost area can avoid bagging and disposal fees. Some municipalities collect curbside leaves seasonally, so a homeowner may pay only for raking or blowing the material to the pickup point. Check local collection rules first; piles may need to be placed at the curb without blocking drains or sidewalks.
Light preparation can reduce billable crew time. Move furniture and toys, unlock gates, mark plants that should not be cut, and identify the location for leaves or branches. Homeowners should not take on unsafe ladder work, handle unknown chemicals, or cut large limbs to save a modest amount.
Compare at least three written estimates with matching tasks, approximate yard size, debris handling, and cleanup limits. A lower price may omit hauling or include only front-yard work. Scheduling a recurring maintenance visit can also prevent a heavy seasonal reset, but compare the total annual fee with separate cleanups before committing. Removing unneeded tasks and clarifying disposal can trim the bill without lowering the quality of the work that matters.
Why cleanup prices differ between U.S. regions
Local wage levels and disposal rules create meaningful price differences. In high-cost metro areas such as parts of the Northeast, California, and the Pacific Northwest, residential cleanup estimates may run 15%-35% above national midrange prices. Smaller towns and rural areas can be 10%-25% lower, though fewer providers and longer travel distances can offset the savings.
Climate affects the type and timing of work. Northern states with heavy autumn leaf fall often have concentrated demand in a short window, and a large fall cleanup may cost 10%-20% more during peak weeks than when booked earlier. Warm-region yards may need more frequent mowing, weed control, and storm debris pickup rather than one major leaf removal visit.
Disposal fees vary by municipality and provider. Yard waste may be accepted free at a local drop-off site, charged by the bag, or billed by truckload. Some cities restrict curbside piles or require paper bags. A contractor’s quote may therefore include a different disposal allowance depending on the local system.
Travel costs matter on rural or remote properties. A provider traveling more than 20-30 miles may add a trip charge of $25-$100, especially for a small job. Location affects both hourly labor rates and the cost of getting yard waste off the property.
How many crew hours a seasonal yard cleanup takes
A basic cleanup for a maintained 5,000-square-foot yard usually takes a two-person crew about 1.5-3 hours. A 10,000-square-foot yard with mature trees may take 3-5 hours, while a heavily overgrown half-acre property can require 6-12 crew hours or more. These ranges assume normal access and no tree removal.
Typical local labor pricing is about $40-$100 per worker-hour, or $80-$200 per hour for a two-person crew. Some companies use a flat job price rather than showing hourly labor. The rate may include equipment, travel within a service area, and overhead, so it should not be treated as take-home wages.
For a three-person crew working four hours, the labor portion at $45-$75 per person-hour is $540-$900. A larger crew can finish sooner but may not reduce the total bill if the provider charges for each worker. Ask whether the estimate is based on crew size, total labor hours, or a fixed task price.
Weather and scheduling affect duration. Rain can make leaves heavy, lawns soft, and equipment use less efficient. A same-week or weekend rush request may add $25-$100 or 10%-25% where providers are busy, though rush fees are not universal. For a large property, the estimated crew hours and crew size provide a practical way to test whether a quote matches the stated scope.
When leaf hauling, brush removal, and extras raise the bill
Hauling is a frequent source of unexpected expense. A contractor may charge $30-$100 per load for yard waste, with extra loads priced separately. A full truck or trailer load can cost $100-$250 when disposal fees and loading time are included. Confirm whether the quote assumes a particular number of bags, branches, or loads.
Storm cleanup usually costs more than routine seasonal work because debris is scattered and may include heavy limbs. Picking up small fallen branches might add $50-$200; cutting and hauling larger limbs can cost $200-$800 or more depending on diameter, height, and access. Tree removal and work near power lines require qualified specialists and are not ordinary lawn cleanup.
Other add-ons include gutter cleaning, often $100-$300 for a typical one- or two-story home, and shrub pruning at roughly $10-$30 per shrub. Gutter work may not be included because it involves ladders and roof access. Chemical weed treatment, new mulch, and lawn repair are also commonly quoted as separate services.
Minimum charges apply when a task is small or a crew must make a separate trip. A provider may charge $75-$150 for a short visit, even if the requested work takes less than an hour. Ask which add-ons are optional and whether debris removal is included before approving work outside the original estimate.
Three sample cleanup quotes for different yard conditions
These examples show how scope changes the total; actual prices vary by region and provider. The hourly calculations use labor rates as an estimating check, not a guaranteed billing method. Materials are usually limited for cleanup unless the quote includes mulch, bags, or other supplies.
| Yard and task scope | Labor estimate | Other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 sq ft, light leaves, mow, edge, curbside pile | 2 workers × 2 hours at $50-$65 = $200-$260 | $0-$25 bags or small supplies | $200-$285 |
| 10,000 sq ft, deep leaves, beds, shrub touch-up, one load | 2 workers × 4 hours at $55-$75 = $440-$600 | $75-$150 hauling and disposal | $515-$750 |
| Half-acre, tall weeds, brush cutting, two loads | 3 workers × 6 hours at $55-$85 = $990-$1,530 | $150-$300 hauling and equipment | $1,140-$1,830 |
The first example assumes a maintained lawn with leaves gathered at the curb, not hauled away. If the crew must bag and transport the leaves, the job may increase by $50-$150. A property with many beds or obstacles may also need more labor than its square footage suggests.
The second example includes hand work in beds and light shrub trimming, but not major pruning. The hauling allowance assumes one moderate load and a nearby disposal site. A second load or wet, compacted leaves can add $50-$150 or more.
The third example reflects difficult conditions rather than a standard lawn visit. Tall vegetation and brush can call for commercial equipment and a larger crew. It excludes tree removal, stump grinding, hazardous waste, and repairs to damaged turf. When comparing bids, check that each estimate covers the same yard areas, crew tasks, and number of disposal loads.