Yard work professionals near you

Yard work typically refers to a variety of lawn care, gardening and outdoor cleanup tasks. In most cases, yard work services cover:

• Lawn mowing: Regular mowing keeps the grass at an optimal height, promoting healthy growth and a neat appearance.

• Trimming and edging: Trimming around fences, sidewalks and garden beds ensures a clean, polished look.

• Leaf and debris removal: Clearing fallen leaves, branches and other debris helps prevent pests and lawn damage.

• Weed control and mulching: Removing weeds and adding mulch around plants helps maintain soil moisture and curb weed growth.

• Shrub and tree maintenance: Pruning overgrown bushes and trimming small trees keeps plants healthy and enhances curb appeal.

• Seasonal services: Depending on the time of year, these might include aeration, fertilization, snow removal and gutter cleaning.

Yard work services are typically either preset packages or customized based on your needs. Contact a pro to discuss your options.

Landscaping and yard work are generally two different types of services, but there's often some overlap. Landscapers typically offer the following services:

• Landscape design and construction: May include designing annual and perennial beds and planning trees or shrubs to make a property more attractive. Landscapers will usually create the design, construct the necessary beds and handle planting.

• Hardscape design and build: Landscapers may design and build "hardscape" features, which include patios, walkways, retaining walls, gazebos and other structures.

• Irrigation systems: Landscapers can plan custom watering systems and install them in your yard.

• Yard upkeep: Some landscaping companies may offer full-service lawn care tasks (weeding, mowing, etc.), shrub trimming, leaf cleanup, and more. It depends on the company so be sure to ask.

In contrast, yard work pros usually offer a range of basic yard upkeep services to maintain your lawn, which may include lawn mowing, hedge trimming, weeding, fertilization, leaf removal, and more. Some may also offer to remove debris and dead branches from your yard.

Remember: Always ask your pro to provide a full list of services (with prices) before you hire them.

Yard service prices can vary greatly depending on the type of work you need. According to Thumbtack data, here are the national average cost estimates of common lawn care, gardening and landscaping tasks:

• Lawn mowing: $55 to $149

• Leaf cleanup: $100 to $370

• Insect control: $165 to $469

• Gardening: $35 to $100 per hour

Beyond type of work, there are several factors that might impact the cost of hiring a pro for yard work, including:

• Yard size: Larger yards normally cost more than smaller ones.

• Type of service: Typical service may include mowing, edging, blowing and cleanup. If you require additional services, like tree trimming, you may pay more.

• Frequency of service: One-time services may have a higher per-visit cost than ongoing maintenance plans.

• Location: If your home is in a remote or hard-to-reach area, yard work companies may charge more for service.

You might be able to save money on yard work with these tips:

• Get multiple estimates: Don't limit yourself to asking only one company for an estimate. Get several quotes.

• Match the company size to your job: Larger companies tend to prefer larger jobs. Look for pros that serve homes similar to yours.

• Limit the scope of work: Do some of the yard work yourself, saving only the most difficult jobs for the pros.

For a personalized estimate, request a quote from a professional.

Some people refer to professionals who handle yard work as landscapers, but landscapers typically handle landscape design and construction. When searching for yard care services near you, it may be better to look for groundskeepers or lawn care professionals — though, keep in mind, many landscapers may also offer groundskeeping services.

Here’s how to choose the right pro for your project:

• Verify their license and insurance: In some jurisdictions, groundskeepers may need a license to operate equipment. They should also carry liability insurance to ensure coverage against accidents or damage. Requirements vary by area so be sure to do your research.

• Get several estimates: Estimates should include a detailed list of yard work tasks that the professional will perform, the number of hours anticipated per task, the amount they charge per hour and a schedule for how often they'll complete repeat tasks like mowing or weeding.

• Read their reviews: Look for reviewers who have been using the service for several years. Many happy long-term customers are a good sign. Customers reporting declining lawn health, mowers who don't show up often enough or other issues are a cause for concern.

• Look at their portfolios: A pro’s portfolio should be full of images of healthy lawns and landscapes, all nicely trimmed, green and weed-free.

• Find out if they have warranties: If your pro will be doing any treatments — such as weed treatments, grass reseeding, fertilization or pest removal — make sure they offer a warranty or guarantee if the first treatment round doesn't work as planned.

• Ask important questions: To gauge their level of expertise, try asking what kind of grass you have and how they would care for it. 

For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page. 

Although hiring a lawn care company is more expensive than doing it yourself, it can be well worth the money. For starters, it saves you time and equipment maintenance, which may be justifiable financially. It also creates a more professional appearance. Plus, a pro can spot problems before they occur. This can save you money on expensive reseeding, aeration and other types of lawn repair down the road.

Contact the best lawn mowing professionals near you to start getting free estimates.

Regular lawn maintenance can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal. Professional lawn care prices will vary based on the regional cost to do business and regional cost of labor, the size of your lawn, and any additional services you may desire such as edging or mulching. The national average for lawn mowing costs is $30-$50. Pros may charge an hourly rate, a flat rate or by the square foot (an acre contains 43,560 square feet). Square footage rates factor in the professional’s time, the use of their equipment, and the gas to operate the mower. Distance may also affect cost: If you live outside the company’s standard service range, you may pay an additional travel fee. Here are some examples of average prices for mowing and lawn maintenance:

• Up to 8,000-square-foot property: $30 per week/$120 per month.
• Bimonthly: $40 per service/$80 per month.
• One time only: $45 per service.
• Prices include mowing all turf grass areas; trimming grass away from fences, structures, trees, and lawn edges; and clearing or blowing all grass trimmings from driveways, sidewalks, curbs, etc.
• Hourly rate: $25 per hour (including travel, equipment costs and labor).
• Lot size:
• Smaller lots in subdivisions: $35.
• Half-acre lot: $50.
• One-acre lot: $100.

In general, weekly mowing is the golden rule. However, different lawns and conditions may require different mowing frequencies. For instance, if your grass is growing slowly due to dry conditions or a lack of sun, don’t cut it simply because a week has passed. And don’t cut more than a third of the length of the grass blade at any time. Also, ease up on mowing if the weather is going to be hot and dry, as the longer blades provide shade and can keep water from evaporating so quickly.

If you're unable to mow your lawn, consider hiring one of the best lawn care professionals near you.

Spring is the perfect time to start thinking about lawn care. The ground is recovering from a long, cold winter, plants are starting to grow, and the earth is ready to receive new seeds. When the weather starts to warm, the first step in your lawn care strategy is deciding what you would like to achieve and what you need to do to make it happen. Your next step is to start cleaning up. Rake your lawn free of decomposing leaves, trim back shrubs and branches, and clear out all the weeds. Once your lawn is cleared of debris, tend to your irrigation system. Test your system and decide whether any repairs are necessary. Now it’s time to nourish the lawn. If you opt to aerate your lawn in spring, the national average cost is $70-$100. Consult with your lawn care pro, as some regions benefit from only aerating in fall. If you have bare spots, you can overseed the lawn to encourage new growth. Next you’ll want to fertilize the lawn to ensure it grows in rich and lush. Professional fertilization services may range from under $50 to over $200, depending on your lawn size. If you have a bad weed problem, you (or your lawn care pro) can apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent a weed outbreak. Make sure the irrigation system is routinely watering your lawn, and then enjoy watching the grass grow.

Having a beautiful lawn doesn’t just happen by magic. A multi-pronged approach to lawn care will result in a healthy lawn that will have your neighbors green with envy. The national average price for multi-service lawn care ranges from $40 to $50. Whether you tackle the project yourself or hire a lawn care professional, looking after your lawn requires consistent work. A baseline of lawn care is keeping your grass mowed and your irrigation system working properly. Fertilizing plants and grasses, as well as trimming and pruning foliage, may promote the health of your plants and lawn. Many lawn care pros offer different packages with varying monthly fees depending on your lawn size and the services you desire. Here are a few examples of average lawn care prices:

• 1,000- to 2,500-square-foot lawn: $60-$90 per month
• 5,000-square-foot lawn or larger: $110-$150 per month.
• Includes lawn maintenance, cleanups and irrigation repairs. The company trims shrubs, pulls weeds, blows out yard waste, fertilizes and does minor irrigation repairs.

• Up to 8,000-square-foot property: $30 per week/$120 per month.
• 8,001- to 15,000-square-foot property: $35 per week/$140 per month.
• 15,001- to 20,000-square-foot property: $40 per week/$160 per month.
• Includes mowing all turf grass areas; trimming grass away from fences, structures, trees, and lawn edges; and clearing or blowing all grass trimmings from driveways, sidewalks, curbs, etc.

Full-service lawn care companies typically offer a wide range of lawn care services, including mowing, mulching, landscaping, leaf removal, tree and shrub care, and more. 

Companies may offer additional specialty services, depending on your location and the type of business. For example, a company may provide seasonal maintenance services such as aeration, hedge trimming and weeding, while another offers pest control, seeding services and grub control. 

Contact the best lawn care services near you to see what kinds of services they provide.