How to start a lawn care business
Season: April to October · Typical startup: $450 to $900
Lawn care is the classic first business: low startup cost, weekly repeat income, and customers clustered on the same streets so you can mow eight yards without moving your truck far. This guide covers the gear, what to charge per cut, and how to fill a weekly route fast.
$450 to $900To get started
$50Typical medium yard
April to OctoberSeason
The gear and what it costs
Self-propelled mower, 21"Self-propel saves your legs across a long day of medium and large yards.
$400
Battery trimmer + blower comboEdging and cleanup without a second gas can to haul.
$250
Fuel, bags and a basic trailer or rackA hitch rack or small trailer lets you carry everything in one trip.
$150+
What established pros charge
| One mowing visit, national average · Angi | $123 |
| Typical range · Angi | $49–$203 |
National figures from published cost guides, checked November 8, 2026. Local prices vary.
Starting rates for a new business
| Small yard | $35 |
| Medium yard | $50 |
| Large yard | $75 |
| One-time cleanup | $120+ |
Our suggested starting point for a new business. Charge per cut and push weekly or bi-weekly recurring visits to fill your week. Compare with the pro figures above, and raise your rates once you have reviews and a full week.
How to find your first customers
- Pick two streets and go door to door offering a weekly cut at a flat price. A tight route beats scattered jobs.
- Offer the first cut at a discount to win the recurring slot, then keep it with reliable weekly service.
- Post in the neighborhood group every spring: "Taking a few weekly mowing spots on [street]."
- Hang a card on the door of every house next to one you already mow.
Rules to check before you start
- Some towns ban gas mowers and blowers early in the morning or on Sundays. Check your local noise rules before you book 7 AM slots.
- Applying weed killer or fertilizer for pay needs a pesticide applicator license in most states. Stick to mowing, edging and cleanup at first.
- Some cities and counties require a business license, even for a small service business. Check your city or county website before you take payment.
- Once you make $400 or more in profit in a year, you owe self-employment tax and need to file a return (IRS). Keep every receipt for gas and gear.
- Card payouts need a Stripe account. Stripe requires the account holder to be 18 or older for this kind of account, so a parent or guardian sets it up if you are under 18 (Stripe). Cash works from day one. Venmo, Zelle and Cash App need your own account, and under-18s need a parent to set one up.
Stay busy all year
Add fall leaf cleanup and gutter work, and snow removal in winter, to keep the same customers year-round.
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Questions
Is a lawn care business profitable?
A weekly route of 10 lawns at $50 is $500 a week, or about $13,000 over a 26-week season, before gas. Your mower and trimmer pay for themselves in roughly a dozen cuts.
How much should I charge to mow a lawn?
$35 for a small yard, $50 for a medium, $75 for a large yard are common starting rates. Weekly customers are worth a small discount because they fill your schedule.
What equipment do I need to start?
A reliable self-propelled mower, a string trimmer, and a blower will handle almost every residential yard. Add a hitch rack or small trailer to carry it all.
Can a teenager start a lawn care business?
Yes. Mowing is the classic first business. Wear closed shoes and eye protection, pick up sticks and toys before every cut, and never pull a clog from a running mower. On Launchpad, 13 to 17 year olds sign up with a parent or guardian's agreement.
Sources
Checked November 8, 2026.
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