How Much Does Lawn Care Cost? Complete 2026 Pricing Guide

"How much will lawn care cost me?" is the first question every homeowner asks.

The answer: it depends. Lawn care isn't one thing—it's multiple services with different costs. A mowing visit costs $30–80. A full-service annual program costs $1,500–3,500.

This guide breaks down every lawn care cost, so you know what to expect.

Individual Service Pricing (Kitsap County / PNW Rates)

Mowing

Cost per visit: $30–80 depending on lawn size

By lawn size:

• Small (2,000 sq ft): $30–40
• Medium (5,000 sq ft): $45–65
• Large (10,000 sq ft): $70–100

Frequency: Weekly in growing season (spring/fall), bi-weekly in summer

Annual mowing cost (typical 5,000 sq ft):

• May–September (22 weeks): $990–1,430 annually

What's included:

• Mowing only (cutting grass)
• Usually includes bagging clippings (or mulching)
• Basic cleanup

What's NOT included:

• Edging, blowing, fertilizer, etc.
• Those are add-ons

Aeration

Cost: $75–200 for typical lawn (5,000 sq ft)

Factors affecting price:

• Lawn size (primary factor)
• Soil compaction (severe = more work)
• Accessibility (easy access = lower cost)
• Equipment (professional equipment costs more but results are better)

How it's priced:

• Some companies: per 1,000 sq ft ($15–30 per 1k)
• Others: flat rate for property size
• Typically: $75–200 for 5,000 sq ft lawn

Frequency: 1–2x per year (spring and/or fall)

Annual aeration cost:

• If done once: $75–200
• If done twice: $150–400

What's included:

• Core aeration (removing soil plugs)
• Lawn is left with plugs on surface (breaks down naturally)
• No cleanup (plugs decompose)

What's NOT included:

• Overseeding (separate service)
• Dethatch (separate, if needed)

Fertilization

Cost per application: $50–150 for typical lawn

By approach:

• DIY (buy your own): $15–30 per application
• Professional application: $50–150 per application
• Full-service contract: $120–300 per year (2–3 applications)

How it's priced:

• Per 1,000 sq ft: $10–30 per 1k
• Flat rate: $50–150 for standard property
• Usually includes: spreading fertilizer + light watering-in

Frequency: 2–4 applications per year

• Spring light: 1 application
• Fall heavy: 1 application (most important)
• Summer optional: 0–2 applications
• Total typical: 2–3 per year

Annual fertilization cost:

• Minimal (2 apps): $100–300
• Standard (3 apps): $150–450
• Premium (4 apps + specialty products): $200–600

What's included:

• Professional-grade fertilizer (better than retail)
• Application (equipment + labor)
• Consultation on timing/product

What's NOT included:

• Special treatments (iron sulfate for moss, etc.)
• Those are additional

Overseeding

Cost: $150–400 for typical lawn (5,000 sq ft)

By approach:

• DIY (seed + labor): $50–100
• Professional overseeding: $150–300
• Heavy renovation (aerate + overseed): $250–400

How it's priced:

• Per 1,000 sq ft: $30–60 per 1k
• Flat rate: $150–300 for standard property
• Includes: seed + application + initial watering

Frequency: Once per year (fall is critical for PNW)

Annual overseeding cost:

• Standard: $150–300
• Heavy renovation: $250–400

What's included:

• Quality seed (better than retail)
• Application (spreader, labor)
• Initial watering setup
• Consultation on timing/seed type

What's NOT included:

• Aeration (if you want that, it's separate: +$75–200)
• Ongoing watering (your responsibility)

Weed Control (Herbicide Application)

Cost: $50–150 per application

By type:

• Pre-emergent (spring): $60–100
• Post-emergent (spot treatment): $50–80
• Full lawn herbicide: $80–150

Frequency: 1–3 times per year depending on weed pressure

Annual weed control cost:

• Light pressure (1 app): $50–100
• Moderate (2 apps): $100–200
• Heavy (3+ apps): $150–450

What's included:

• Professional herbicide (stronger than retail)
• Application (labor + equipment)
• Safe for your grass type

What's NOT included:

• Multiple treatments (if weeds return, that's another visit)

Disease/Pest Treatment

Cost: $75–200 per treatment

Common treatments:

• Fungal disease (brown patch): $75–150
• Grub prevention: $100–200
• Insect control: $75–150

Frequency: As needed (not routine)

Annual disease/pest cost:

• If no problems: $0
• One treatment: $75–200
• Multiple problems: $200–500+

What's included:

• Professional diagnosis
• Appropriate chemical treatment
• Application labor

What's NOT included:

• Repeat treatments (if problem persists)
• Some treatments require follow-ups

Full-Service Lawn Care Packages

Most professional lawn care companies offer bundled packages (cheaper than paying per service).

Budget Package

Includes:

• 10–12 mowings (May–October)
• 1 fertilizer application (usually spring)

Cost: $600–1,000 annually

What you get:

• Mowed lawn
• Minimal feeding
• No overseeding, aeration, or weed control

Best for:

• Already-healthy lawns
• Budget-conscious homeowners
• Don't need lawn to improve

Standard Package

Includes:

• 15–20 mowings (April–November)
• 2–3 fertilizer applications (spring, fall)
• 1 aeration (spring or fall)
• 1 weed control application

Cost: $1,500–2,500 annually

What you get:

• Year-round care
• Basic feeding + root-building
• Soil health (aeration)
• Weed management

Best for:

• Most homeowners
• Lawn that needs improvement
• Want professional care without breaking budget

Premium Package

Includes:

• 20–25 mowings (April–December)
• 3–4 fertilizer applications
• 2 aerations (spring + fall)
• 1–2 overseeding applications (heavy)
• 2–3 weed control applications
• Grub prevention
• Disease monitoring

Cost: $2,500–4,000+ annually

What you get:

• Full comprehensive lawn care
• Championship-level results
• Deep roots, thick turf
• Pest/disease prevention

Best for:

• Want thick, healthy lawn
• Willing to invest
• High-traffic properties
• Want best results

What Affects Pricing

1. Lawn Size (Biggest Factor)

Price scales with size:

• 2,000 sq ft: baseline price
• 5,000 sq ft: ~60% more (not 2.5x more due to economies of scale)
• 10,000 sq ft: ~80% more (efficiency discounts kick in)
• 20,000 sq ft: negotiated custom pricing

Example mowing price:

• 2,000 sq ft: $30–35
• 5,000 sq ft: $45–55
• 10,000 sq ft: $75–95

2. Frequency (How Often)

Weekly mowing: More expensive per visit than bi-weekly

• Weekly: $45–65 for 5,000 sq ft
• Bi-weekly: $55–75 (higher per visit, but fewer visits)
• Total annual cost is similar; different payment structure

Aeration/overseeding frequency:

• Once per year: $150–300
• Twice per year: $300–600 (cheaper per visit; better results)

3. Current Lawn Condition

Healthy lawn: Lower cost

• Just maintenance
• Standard services

Poor/thin lawn: Higher cost

• Needs heavy overseeding
• May need aeration + dethatch
• Disease/pest treatment
• Overall 30–50% more expensive first year

Example:

• Healthy lawn standard package: $1,500–2,000
• Poor lawn (first year): $2,000–3,000

4. Regional Pricing (PNW vs National)

Pacific Northwest rates (Kitsap County):

• Mowing: $30–80 per visit (depends on size)
• Aeration: $75–200
• Overseeding: $150–300

National average comparison:

• Mowing: $25–60 (varies widely by region)
• Aeration: $50–150
• PNW is slightly HIGHER (cost of living)

PNW advantage: Lower need for certain services (watering, disease/pest)

5. Equipment Quality & Labor

Budget company: Uses older equipment, minimal crew

• Lower prices ($30–50 per mowing)
• May be slower, less detail

Premium company: Commercial-grade equipment, trained staff

• Higher prices ($50–80 per mowing)
• Faster, better results, professional appearance

Simply Lawn: Professional equipment + experienced crew

• Mid-to-premium pricing
• ROI-focused results

DIY vs Professional: Cost & Time Comparison

DIY Route (Full Year)

Mowing only (DIY):

• Equipment: $1,500 (mower; one-time)
• Gas/maintenance: $100/year
• Time: 5–10 hours/year
• Annual cost: $100 (ongoing)

Mowing + maintenance (aeration, overseed, fertilize):

• Equipment: $1,500 (mower + spreader, etc.)
• Seed/fertilizer: $200–400/year
• Aeration rental: $40 (one-time)
• Time: 40–60 hours/year
• Annual cost: $300–500

Total DIY investment: $300–500 + 40–60 hours labor

Professional Route (Full Year)

Standard package: $1,500–2,500/year

• Everything included
• Labor: 0 hours (company does it)
• Equipment: none (they bring theirs)
• Peace of mind: included

Total professional investment: $1,500–2,500 + 0 hours labor

The Real Comparison

DIY is cheaper IF:

• You value your time at $0
• You already have equipment
• You enjoy lawn care
• You accept mediocre results

Professional is cheaper IF:

• You value your time at $30+/hour
• You want results (thick, healthy lawn)
• You want peace of mind
• Math: 40 hours × $30/hour = $1,200 value. Pro cost $1,500–2,500. You're only paying $300–1,300 for expert results.

Example ROI: Pay $2,000 for professional care → beautiful lawn worth $5,000+ in curb appeal → home value increase $10,000+. Net: positive ROI.

What to Expect from Simply Lawn Pricing

Our Service Model

• Professional-grade equipment & crew
• Customized care (not one-size-fits-all)
• Real results (thick turf, deep roots)
• Full transparency (no hidden fees)

Our Typical Packages

Basic Maintenance (healthy lawn):

• 15 mowings/year + 2 fertilizer apps
• $1,200–1,700 annually

Standard Care (lawn improvement):

• 18 mowings + aeration + 3 fertilizer + overseed
• $1,800–2,500 annually

Premium Service (championship results):

• 22 mowings + 2 aerations + heavy overseed + grub prevention
• $2,500–3,500 annually

What We Include

• Professional expertise (not just labor)
• Customization (tailored to your lawn's needs)
• Monitoring (watching for problems)
• Transparency (you know what you're paying for)

What We Don't Do

• We don't low-ball to win bids (leads to corner-cutting)
• We don't charge surprise fees
• We don't over-service (we recommend what's actually needed)

Money-Saving Tips

1. Bundle Services (20–30% Savings)

Package deal is always cheaper than à la carte.

• Mowing alone: expensive per unit
• Mowing + aeration + overseed: bundle rate = 20–30% discount

2. Annual Contracts (10–15% Discount)

Pay upfront for year = lock in rate + discount.

• Monthly pay: no discount
• Annual prepay: 10–15% discount

3. Bi-Weekly Mowing (Cheaper per Visit)

Sounds counterintuitive, but:

• Weekly: $50 per visit × 20 = $1,000/year
• Bi-weekly: $65 per visit × 10 = $650/year
• Lawn quality is almost identical

4. DIY Overseeding (50% Savings)

You can:

• Overseed yourself (just buy seed + water)
• Professional handles aeration only (50% cost reduction)
• Results are 80% as good as full service

5. Schedule Services Off-Peak

• Spring (busy season): higher prices
• Winter/early spring: lower prices, easier scheduling
• Book winter for spring service = potential savings

FAQ: Lawn Care Pricing

Q: Why does mowing cost differ so much ($30–80)? A: Lawn size is primary factor. 2,000 sq ft lawn costs $30–40; 10,000 sq ft costs $70–100.

Q: Is a yearly contract required? A: Not always. Monthly or per-visit is available. Annual usually offers 10–15% discount.

Q: What's included in "mowing"? A: Cutting grass. Edges, blowing, fertilizer, etc. are usually add-ons.

Q: Why is overseeding expensive? A: Includes quality seed (retail seed is cheap/poor quality) + application labor. DIY is $50; professional is $150–300.

Q: Will professional lawn care pay for itself? A: Probably. Better lawn = higher home value. $2,000/year × 5 years = $10,000 investment could boost home value $20,000+. ROI positive.

Conclusion

Lawn care pricing ranges from $30 per mowing visit to $3,000+ per year for full service.

Budget: DIY costs $300–500/year + 40+ hours time.

Professional: Costs $1,500–3,500/year; saves you time; delivers better results.

Simply Lawn: Professional care, transparent pricing, results-focused.

The question isn't "Is it worth it?"—it's "How much is your time worth, and how much do you want beautiful curb appeal?"

Ready for a custom quote? Contact Simply Lawn for a free assessment and pricing estimate for your property.