Lawn care questions, answered plainly.

For a typical quarter-acre suburban yard in 2026, weekly mowing plus a basic fertilization program runs $1,200 to $2,400 a year. Full-service plans with aeration, weed control, and cleanups usually land between $2,400 and $4,000 a year. One-off services like a single aeration or a spring cleanup run $150 to $400 each.

Weekly mowing on a standard suburban yard runs $45 to $75 per visit in most metros in 2026, including trimming, edging, and blowing off paved surfaces. Fertilization visits are usually $60 to $120 each, and core aeration is $150 to $300 per visit.

Lot size, terrain, obstacles, visit frequency, and what is actually included all move the price. Two houses on the same block can have very different mowable turf areas or access challenges. Ask each company for an itemized quote so you can compare apples to apples.

A full-service company typically offers weekly mowing, fertilization and weed control, aeration and overseeding, seasonal cleanups, pest and disease treatments, bed and shrub maintenance, irrigation service, and in cold-weather markets snow removal. Most companies let you bundle any combination into a single seasonal contract.

In the off-season most companies handle snow and ice management, irrigation blowouts, the final winterizer fertilization, equipment maintenance, and next-season contract renewals. Many also quote larger spring projects like landscape or hardscape work during the quieter winter months.

A standard weekly visit includes mowing the turf at the correct height, string trimming around beds and hardscape, edging along walkways and the driveway, and blowing all clippings off paved surfaces. Anything else, including bed weeding, hedge trimming, or leaf cleanup, is usually a separate add-on.

For most homeowners with a quarter-acre yard or larger, hiring a company usually pays off within a season or two once you value your own time honestly. DIY equipment, fuel, and products often cost more than people expect, and 60 to 90 hours a season of your own labor adds up quickly.

Ask for proof of insurance, get the scope of every visit in writing, understand the cancellation policy, and check recent Google reviews. A confident, professional company answers all of these questions clearly. Vague answers, cash-only pricing, or long lock-in contracts are all red flags.

Seasonal contracts almost always price 15 to 30 percent lower per visit than one-off calls, because recurring routes are cheaper to run. If you know you want ongoing service, ask for a season contract on the first call. Good companies also offer 30-day cancellation, so there is no reason to fear the commitment.