Lawn Mowing Pricing Calculator
Price a lawn cut from your crew time, fuel, equipment and overhead, plus your margin. The calculator gives the price per visit and per square foot, so you can set prices by lawn size that still pay on small yards.
| Labour cost | $22 |
| Overhead | $4.80 |
| Total job cost | $37 |
| Price to quote | $53 |
| Profit | $16 |
| Markup on cost | 42.9% |
| Price per square foot | $0.011 |
| Revenue per labour hour | $53 |
Before sales tax, GST or HST. Works in any currency: the $ is just a label. Example numbers only: replace them with your own costs.
What to count in a lawn care price
- Time on site plus drive time to the property
- Fuel for the mower, trimmer and truck
- Blade sharpening, repairs and equipment replacement spread over your season
- Overhead such as insurance, phone and marketing
- Your margin after all costs
Worked example
With one person for 1 hour at $22 an hour, $2 in supplies for this visit, $8 in fuel and mower wear for this visit, 15% overhead and a 30% margin, the job costs $37 and the price comes to $53. That is $0.011 per square foot for 5,000 square feet of lawn, $16 profit, and a 42.9% markup on cost.
Margin is not markup
Margin is profit as a share of the price; markup is profit as a share of your cost. A 30% margin needs a 42.9% markup, because the profit is measured against a smaller number. Mixing the two up can leave a busy season with less money than you planned. This calculator asks for the margin you want and shows the matching markup.
The Landscaping Estimate & Job Costing workbook (C$19.00, Excel, also opens in Google Sheets) keeps your rates in one price book, builds a printable client quote, and tracks what each job really cost and made, so your next price is based on your own numbers.
Questions
HOW DO I PRICE BY LAWN SIZE?
Run the calculator for a small, medium and large lawn. The price per square foot falls as lawns get bigger, so keep a minimum charge for small yards.
DOES THIS WORK FOR OTHER LANDSCAPING JOBS?
Yes. Change the units and costs to price cleanups, mulch or hedge work the same way.
This calculator is a planning tool, not financial or tax advice. Check the results against your own records before you rely on them.