How the lawn mowing price calculator works
Mowing time comes from your lawn size and how much ground your mower covers in an hour. A 36 inch walk-behind covers roughly 30,000 square feet an hour; a 21 inch push mower covers about a third of that.
Trimming, edging and blowing usually take about 60% as long as the mowing itself, plus about 10 minutes to unload and load. That's all paid time, so it's counted.
Drive time is paid time too, for everyone in the truck. Then we add truck and fuel, mower wear and your overhead to get the real cost of the visit.
Finally, the price is set so your profit margin is what you asked for, rounded up to the nearest $5.
Tips from the trade
- Never price by square footage alone. A steep yard with beds and obstacles can take twice as long as a flat one the same size.
- Set a minimum per visit, usually $35 to $50. Tiny lawns still cost you the drive.
- Group yards by neighborhood. Cutting drive time is the fastest way to raise your profit without raising prices.
When you need more than a free lawn mowing price calculator
This calculator answers one quick question. Running a business means doing it on every job, with your own rates saved and a quote you can send.
Lawn mowing price calculator questions
How much should I charge to mow a lawn?
Most lawn care businesses charge $35 to $75 a visit for a typical residential lawn, but the right price depends on your costs. This calculator works from your real costs so you know your price covers your time, gas and gear.
Should I charge by the hour or by the lawn?
Charge by the lawn. Customers like a set price, and as you get faster, you keep the difference. Use your hourly cost to set that price, which is exactly what this calculator does.
What profit margin should a lawn care business aim for?
Many owners aim for 20% to 35% after paying themselves for their time. If your margin is under 15%, one broken mower can wipe out a month of profit.
Does this include my own pay?
Yes. Your time is counted at the hourly pay you enter, so the profit is what's left after you're paid.