How Much Does Leaf Removal Cost?

Last Updated on March 11, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

When budgeting your property upkeep costs, what should you expect to pay for clearing away fallen foliage? Average rates for professional leaf clearing range from $30 to $50+ per man-hour of labor, $150 to $400+ for a one-time visit depending on property size, and $400 to $700+ for seasonal cleanup contracts, among various pricing structures.

Several specifics like the square footage requiring service, thickness of leaf coverage, additional needs like fertilizing or seeding, and your local labor rates all factor into the ultimate price charged by professional leaf removal companies in your area.

With leaves comprising over 75% of the solid waste products generated by growing trees, keeping this organic matter under control is very important for lawn health, drainage, aesthetics, and avoiding damage leading to winter dormancy.

Highlights

• Hourly service rates typically range from $30 – $50 per man hour
• Individual visits cost $150 – $400+ per instance for average properties
• Seasonal cleanup contracts run $400 – $700+ for recurring service
• Yard size, leaf volume, add-ons, and regional rates all impact pricing

How Much Does Leaf Removal Cost?

Professional leaf removal services utilize varied pricing approaches, including:

• By the Hour – The majority bill for labor by the hour, with most professional companies charging around $30 to $50 per man hour depending on team size, service breadth and regional rates. Projects with heavy leaf volumes or extensive acreage take more hours.
• One-Time Service Visits – For a single comprehensive visit clearing leaves from curb to curb for an average sized property, expect fees ranging $150 to $400+ per individual service. Pricing scales based on yard square footage and severity of leaf cover.
• Seasonal Cleanup Contracts – Packaged fall cleanup agreements that include multiple coordinated visits throughout the leaf falling seasons, often with bundled treatments like fertilizing or seeding, range from $400 to $700+ in total costs averaging monthly or biweekly visits for maintenance. This establishes season-long tidy curb appeal and lawn care.

According to Family Handyman, the national average cost of leaf removal is $350, with prices ranging from $150 to $1,000 depending on yard size and tree density. Costs can vary between $0.02 and $0.10 per square foot or $400 to $1,000 per acre for larger properties.

Lawn Love writes that leaf removal costs typically range from $155 to $460, with prices varying based on factors like yard size and the number of trees. The national average cost is around $280, with estimates ranging from $60 to $740 for different projects.

Angi, on the other hand, notes that the average cost for leaf removal is approximately $370, with most homeowners paying between $300 and $600. Costs can vary based on lawn size, tree density, and the chosen leaf removal method like blowing, raking, or vacuuming.

HomeAdvisor says that leaf removal costs around $365 on average, with prices typically falling between $190 and $574. Prices can range from $400 to $1,000 per acre for larger properties. Different methods like blowing, raking, or vacuuming have varying costs per hour.

And Fixr.com mentions that leaf blowing for yard clean-up can cost between $15 to $45 per hour, with an additional fee of $5 to $10 per bag for leaf disposal. Regular leaf clean-up services can range from $150 to $500 annually depending on the frequency of visits.

Landscape companies may blend these rate structures. Compare several localized quotes rather than national averages when budgeting.

Factors That Impact Leaf Removal Pricing

Several variables affect the costs of professional leaf clearing:

• Overall Yard Square Footage – Larger landscaped properties require extended hours of labor for full grounds coverage plus more debris disposal capacity. This drives up the per-service cost scale.
• Amount of Leaf Litter and Buildup – During peak leaf drop seasons or in heavily wooded areas, higher leaf volumes necessitate more power equipment passes, bagging/hauling, and worker hours to thoroughly remove. Heavy leaf coverage equates to higher service pricing.
• Removal Method – Manual raking represents the most basic and affordable clearing method, while commercial leaf blowers, vacuums, and comprehensive bagging raise equipment transport and disposal costs passed to clients.
• Additional Lawn Care Services Requests – Supplementary needs like aerating, overseeding, fertilizing, and general fall cleanup if performed during scheduled visits add incremental costs for the bundled services convenience.
• Frequency of Services – Scheduling recurring visits on a monthly or bimonthly basis can provide discount advantages compared to per-time pricing, ensuring lawn upkeep amid changing seasons.
• Geographic Region – Local labor rates, business overhead, and demand for lawn care services in your market also impact what companies need to charge to cover operational costs and overhead. Metropolitan regions typically see higher rates.

Thoroughly evaluating unique property conditions, seasonal volumes, and service goals aids selecting the ideal pro leaf removal relationship balancing affordability and curb appeal.

You might also like our articles about the cost of brush removal, a palm tree, or lawn painting services.

DIY Efforts vs Professional Leaf Clearing Services

Typical DIY Leaf Removal Costs:

• Investment in quality rakes, blowers, tarps, and lawn waste bags – $100 to $300+
• Physical time and labor of property owners themselves – Equivalent to several full weekends typically
• Logistical efforts of hauling loaded bags and debris loads for proper disposal – Potential added utility vehicle rental fees if lacking truck or trailer access

Benefits of Hiring Professional Leaf Clearing Services:

• Major time savings outsourcing workload – Crews complete cleanups exponentially faster than DIY pace
• Powerful commercial-grade equipment outperforms consumer models – Commercial blowers, vacuums, and mulchers make tasks quicker
• Holistic property assessment and maintenance – Experts identify and address all lawn care needs proactively
• Convenience of scheduled visits – No more last-minute weekend time crunches to prep home before holidays

Managing Leaf Removal Costs Efficiently

Homeowners can implement tactics including:

• Obtain quotes from multiple local services before booking to encourage competition and contrast rates offered for the exact same scope of work.
• Schedule recurring services well in advance of peak fall leaf drop to secure lower early commitment rates before demands surge.
• Explore potential bundled pricing through neighborhood associations or community groups pitching larger multi-property projects.
• Maintain optimal lawn care during spring and summer through aeration, mowing, and weed control, to minimize rampant fall growth that exacerbates leaf volume.
• Consider mulching capabilities via machine rentals for an eco-friendly means of lowering bagging and hauling disposal costs, where municipal codes permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it to rake leaves?

For medium-sized properties with light to moderate leaf litter, raking oneself with friends or family makes for cost-effective seasonal exercise. But for owners of larger yards or during especially heavy leaf-dropping autumns, outsourcing the leaf burden to professional services brings worthwhile time savings.

Evaluate your personal time constraints and physical abilities.

What is the best way to remove a lot of leaves?

Commercial-grade gas-powered leaf blowers, combined with professional leaf vacuums allow landscaping crews to quickly collect even substantial leaf volumes from expansive areas into truck-towed trailers for disposal.

For motivated do-it-yourselfers, investing in similar heavy-duty equipment can help improve homeowner productivity immensely as well.

Is it OK to not rake leaves?

While a limited number of arborists advocate allowing some natural leaf mulch to decompose over dormant wintering grass for soil nutrition, leaving excessive debris risks eventual lawn damage, mold growth, and pest infestation issues before spring.

Selectively mulching light layers of leaves using mowers or shredder vacuums provides benefits, but temperatures and moisture make thorough fall raking and removal vital for maintaining future landscape health and function.