Leaf & yard cleanup

How Much to Charge for Leaf Removal

Short answer

Leaf removal typically runs $150–$500 per cleanup for an average residential lot, or an hourly rate of $40–$70 per person, scaling with lot size, tree density, and how deep the leaves are. Haul-away and disposal are priced separately from blowing and gathering, and a heavy end-of-season cleanup costs more than a light mid-fall pass.

Base pricing

$150–$500 per cleanup for an average lot, or $40–$70 per person per hour if you bill hourly. Lot size, tree count, and leaf depth drive the number.

Per-job vs. hourly

  • Per job — cleaner for the customer; base it on honest hours for the property.
  • Hourly — protects you on unpredictable lots where you can’t see the whole scope.

Whichever you use, say so up front so the final number isn’t a surprise.

Haul-away is its own cost

Gathering leaves and disposing of them are two different jobs. Price haul-away and disposal separately from the blowing and raking — some customers are happy to have them piled and will skip the fee.

The heavy-fall premium

A full, wet, matted drop is not a light early pass. Price the big end-of-season cleanup above a routine visit to reflect the real labor of a saturated yard.

Frequently asked questions

Per job or hourly?

A per-job quote is cleaner for the customer, but base it on your realistic hours for the lot. For unpredictable properties, hourly protects you — just be clear which you're using.

Should haul-away be separate?

Yes. Blowing and gathering is one job; bagging or hauling the leaves off-site is extra labor and a disposal cost. Price it separately so a customer who's fine with leaves piled at the curb can skip it.

Do I charge more late in the season?

Yes. A full drop of wet, matted leaves is far more work than a light early pass, so the big end-of-season cleanup should price above a routine mid-fall visit.