First off, I have a set lawn mowing “drop gate” fee which used to be $25.00, which I have recently raised to $30.00. I do make exceptions, however, if I feel the customer won’t go for $25.00, or if they are close to other accounts which make it worth it. This is the fee for showing up to the customers’ house, and “dropping” the gate. It is my minimum service charge. Next year (2012) I will be strictly enforcing a $30.00 minimum.

Most of my small residential accounts fall in the range of $30-$40. My average right now on 124 accounts is $33.42. Like I said earlier, you have to take into account multiple aspects before giving them the quote. Depending on the

location, how many other clients you have in the area, the house, the personality of the client, the amount of quality you think the customer will expect, etc, etc, you can give them the quote. Also take into account the size of the lawn, obstacles (I.E toys, trees, rocks, hills) and areas that may take more time (I.E areas that you cant fit the big mower in and have to push mow). As a rough guide, I would have to say that a $30 lawn should take you approximately 10-15 minutes, a $40 lawn maybe 15-25 minutes, and a $50 lawn maybe 25- 40 mins. These figures are all assuming a 2 man crew.

From there, the price goes up. Bagging I will charge $5 more for a small lawn, and $10 more for a larger one, since it is more work and the mowing does take more time.  I generally try to convince people not to bag since it is better for the lawn (returns nutrients to the soil) and is just easier.

If a customer requests a bi-weekly mow, and it is a reasonable request (on a slow growing lawn) I will allow it, but usually charge a bit extra. I have tried to enforce a 2 week maximum period between cuts but with this economy I have been letting some go to 3 weeks just to get the work.

Last but not least, you should generally shoot high on the price. Giving a higher lawn mowing price first allows room for bargaining on the customers end (which they will do most of the time). Even if they don’t, you can judge their reaction and say, “on second thought,  we have a neighbor right down the street, so we could probably cut $5 off that mowing price.” Lastly, if you give the high price first and they don’t negotiate, you get more for the property anyway so it’s a win-win situation.

Determining how much to charge for mowing lawns really isn’t that hard and you will get the hang of it quickly.