A step-by-step guide to setting profitable, market-competitive lawn mowing prices using square footage, local benchmarks, and cost-based pricing.
Start with your real costs: labor (your time + crew cost per hour), equipment depreciation, fuel, insurance, and overhead. Know what it costs you to complete one hour of mowing before you set any price.
Set a minimum visit charge — typically $40–$60 — to cover travel time, setup, and the overhead cost of any job regardless of size. Never quote below your minimum.
Industry averages for residential mowing range from $0.008–$0.015/sq ft. Start at the midpoint for your market, then adjust based on your costs and competitive positioning.
Calculate prices for 3,000, 5,000, and 8,000 sq ft yards at your rate. Do the results feel right for your market? If $48 for a 6,000 sq ft yard feels low, increase your rate.
Apply price modifiers for factors that increase time: steep slopes (+10–30%), excessive obstacles (+10–20%), gated access (+$5–10/visit), and extra-long drive time (+$X/mile over threshold).
Bi-weekly mowing takes more time per visit — grass is longer, clippings are heavier. Price bi-weekly service at 1.3–1.5× your weekly rate, not just double the weekly price.
Labor, fuel, and equipment costs change every year. Review your pricing each January and adjust to maintain your target margin. Raising prices 3–5% per year for existing customers is normal and expected.
Track your actual time on jobs for the first season. Your estimates of how long things take are almost always wrong.
Don't price to win every job — price to win the right jobs at the right margin.
Include your minimum job price in your intake form so customers know upfront.
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