Are you loving fall but worrying about what the leaf removal cost will be? I give a breakdown of all you need to consider and discuss any additional costs.
Unfortunately, there is no average homeowner when it comes to answering the question of how much does leaf removal cost, there are just too many variables. Therefore, sadly, I don’t have a specialized leaf removal service cost calculator for you.
However, I can explain how you can make a good estimate of the total costs and possibly even reduce them.
Contents
Estimating Costs for Leaf Removal
Although the average cost for leaf removal will vary greatly across the country, the type of cleanup service and the size of your yard are big factors to take into account.
But, to give you an idea, the average national cost is around $150-$250. Having said that this can still vary considerably and can even be as high as $500.
Here are 3 of the main cost factors to consider.
Season
Not surprisingly, the fall leaf removal cost will be higher compared to the other seasons. Not only is this the busiest time of year for leaf removal service companies but, to state the obvious, there are plenty more leaves to clear.
Therefore, unless you want to do it yourself, I’m afraid using a professional service for your fall yard cleanup means paying premium prices. To make this worse, most homeowners with large properties and a lot of trees will have to do a leaf clean-up at least twice.
Yard Size
It’s not all about dead leaves though. The bigger your yard, the more you’ll pay for your fall yard clean, even if there aren’t many trees. This is due to the fact that most of the companies work out their leaf removal cost per acre or square foot.
Number & Types of Trees
For obvious reasons, how many trees you have along with the species of trees on your property influences the overall cost the most.
I mention types of trees because some trees shed more. When more leaves fall it can mean that several leaf clean-up sessions are required throughout the fall season.
Type of Leaf Removal Required
Finally, the average leaf removal cost depends on the type of clean-up service. Leaf removal services will charge different prices depending on the method employed and what work is included within that cost.
Blowing Leaves
If you are paying per hour then ordering a leaf blowing service is often the most affordable. This is simply because the job can be completed so much faster using leaf blowers. They will still charge extra per bag, but overall you will be paying less.
Best For:
Large yards & dry leaves
Raking Leaves
Because raking is a more labor-intensive and time-consuming method many leaf removal pros charge more. For this reason, it isn’t the best choice for fall leaves but maybe a good option for a spring cleanup.
Best For:
Small yards or springtime leaf removal
Vacuuming
This is definitely one for the keen gardener. Although using a leaf vacuum service is often the most expensive method, it comes complete with the additional perk of mulching leaves.
As any gardener will know this mulch is fantastic for the flower beds and around the base of trees.
Best For:
Most complete yard service
Leaf Removal Cost Breakdown
With the above-average costs in mind, you can start to understand where fall cleanup prices come from. Here are some tips on how you may be able to reduce them and how to avoid extra costs.
- No matter how small your yard, you will probably still be asked to pay a minimum fee
- Try to fit in with the company’s schedule, remember they are very busy and may charge extra for inconvenient times
- Is your garden well kept, long grass creates a lot more work when clearing leaves
- Don’t wait until the leaves are wet, wet leaves are harder to gather and can rarely be blown
- Do you need or want additional services, such as pruning and gutter clearing
- Use a company regularly, some may be less expensive in the fall if used year-round
- Compost the leaves yourself, they are extremely good for your garden and you may avoid composting costs
- Remember there is a difference between leaf removal and pick up services (see below)
- Spread the cost by not leaving leaf removal until the end of fall, little and often can sometimes be cheaper
Leaf Pick Up Services
To save on the cost of the leaf removal service, if you don’t have a large yard why not make it a DIY project. Make piles of leaves at the edge of your yard and have local companies bag them and process them for you.
Leaves contain so many good nutrients that can be returned to the ground from where they came. Sending them off to be mulched or composted is definitely the more environmentally friendly way of leaf disposal.
Leaves don’t deserve to be in a landfill.
Here are three options that leaf pickup services may offer.
Mulching
As I have already mentioned, garden beds love mulch, but, using a lot of mulch can get quite costly. Why not save money and have the professionals do it for you. More and more landscaping companies now provide this service.
Composting
Wet leaves make for excellent composting. If you don’t have your own compost bin, some local services will take unwanted leaves to the local composter for you, if there is one in the area.
Bagging
Bagging leaves is a more affordable leaf removal method because you have already done all of the collecting. Local contractors will charge per bag for this service.
Alternatively, Save Money & Do It All Yourself
Homeowners spending a lot of money on leaf removal each year can benefit greatly from doing it themselves. Making any investment made in buying a leaf blower to speed the job up well worthwhile. I will say though, check your local laws concerning leaf blowers, as some states have severe restrictions on their use.
Whilst it obviously requires more time to do it yourself, you may be able to find a local handyman. General odd job people tend to work for considerably less money per hour. This is especially if you have all the equipment they need i.e rakes, leaf blower, or leaf vacuum.
This way you get the best of both worlds, you’re not reliant on busy professionals during their high season. Whether you rake the leaves yourself or outsource it locally, you will save considerable money.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Do you still have questions about leaf removal companies, what to do with fallen leaves, and other landscaping jobs? Maybe you will find what you are looking for in one of the following frequently asked questions.
How much should I pay someone for yard work?
Most professional landscapers charge around $30-40 per hour for yard work with a minimum fee of $70. How much the final job costs depends on the type of service they provide, the size of your property, and the type of vegetation.
How do landscapers pick up leaves?
Using leaf blowers is the most popular method that landscapers use, so most of the leaves and other debris are in one place faster. They will then place in leaf bags and remove, hopefully, to take for leaf mulching or composting.
What does fall cleanup include?
Fall leaf cleanup means leaf removal as well as including a variety of optional services. These can be leaf blowing, bagging, mulching, and composting of leaves. Some may also remove leaves from gutters and prepare the lawn for winter for an additional cost.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide range in the average cost of leaf removal services. When calculating the leaf removal costs consider the size of your lawn, the number of leaves, and any additional services you may need.
