Spring cleanup is one of the most in-demand landscaping services of the year. Every homeowner wants their yard looking good after winter -- and they need it done fast before the growing season kicks off. Here's exactly what spring yard cleanup costs in 2026, what's included, and how to make sure you're not overpaying or undercharging.

The Quick Answer: Spring Cleanup Costs in 2026

Spring yard cleanup runs $125 to $300 for a standard residential property. Larger properties or full-service packages cost more:

Small yard (under 1/4 acre): $100-$250
Medium yard (1/4 to 1/2 acre): $250-$500
Large yard (1/2 acre+): $400-$800+
Hourly crew rate: $50-$100 per worker per hour

What's included varies by contractor. Never assume -- ask for a written scope before you agree to a price.

What a Spring Cleanup Typically Includes

Most spring cleanup packages cover the basics of clearing winter debris and preparing the lawn for the growing season. A standard cleanup usually includes:

Leaf and debris removal from the lawn and garden beds
Cutting back dead plants, perennials, and ornamental grasses
Edge trimming along walkways and driveways
First mow of the season
Light raking and clearing of matted areas

Additional services like mulch, aeration, and fertilization are usually priced separately. Here's what each one costs.

Add-On Services and What They Cost

Mulch Installation

Adding fresh mulch to garden beds is the most popular spring upsell. Contractors typically charge $35-$100 per cubic yard installed. A typical 1/4-acre yard with several beds needs 3-5 cubic yards, which runs $105-$500. Dyed or premium mulch costs $20-$40 more per yard.

For landscapers: mulch is a high-margin add-on. Material costs $25-$50 per yard. Labor to spread runs $10-$20 per yard. On a 5-yard job, you're looking at $150-$350 in profit on top of the cleanup fee.

Leaf Removal (Heavy Accumulation)

If your yard had significant leaf buildup over winter, plan on paying extra. Heavy leaf removal runs $150-$700 depending on yard size and how deep the layer is. Light debris is usually included in the base price; heavy accumulation with multiple truckloads is not.

Flower Bed Cleanup

Removing old mulch, dead annuals, and early weeds from garden beds runs $30-$60 per bed for a standard 5x12 foot bed. A yard with 6 beds adds $180-$360 to your total. Ask whether old mulch removal is included or if that's billed by the load.

Lawn Aeration

Spring aeration relieves soil compaction from winter foot traffic and freeze cycles. Core aeration runs $75-$250 for most residential properties. It's worth doing every other year on heavily used lawns and every year on clay-heavy soil.

Fertilization

A spring starter fertilizer application runs $60-$150 for most residential yards. Many landscapers bundle this with cleanup for a package discount. If your lawn is thin or slow to green up, spring fertilization makes a visible difference.

Book Early to Pay Less

Spring cleanup pricing follows demand. By April and May, every landscaper in your area is fully booked and prices reflect that. February and March bookings are different -- schedules are still open and contractors are willing to discount to lock in work before the rush.

Early-bird discounts typically run 15-20% for bookings made before March 15. On a $400 cleanup, that's $60-$80 in savings just for scheduling ahead.

For landscapers: launch your pre-season outreach in early February. An email or SMS to last year's customers with a small discount for early bookings will fill your April and early May calendar before your competitors even start advertising.

Flat Rate vs. Hourly: Which Is Right?

Most landscapers price spring cleanup one of two ways.

Flat rate works best for standard properties. You walk the yard, give a fixed price, and stick to it. Customers know exactly what they'll pay. Most contractors use flat rate for properties under 1/2 acre where the scope is predictable.

Hourly pricing at $50-$100 per worker per hour makes more sense for properties with heavy debris, large lots, or unusual cleanup needs. If you go hourly, give a time estimate upfront and cap the hours. Customers don't like open-ended bills.

Tips for Homeowners Getting Quotes

Get 2-3 quotes. Prices vary significantly -- a $200 difference on the same job is common in most markets.
Be specific about scope. Tell contractors exactly what you need. Vague requests lead to inflated estimates that cover unknowns.
Ask what's included. Mulch, aeration, and leaf haul-off are often extra. Know what you're getting before you sign.
Bundle services. Adding regular mowing or a fertilization program to a cleanup booking often saves 15-20% vs. booking separately.

For Landscapers: Protecting Your Margins

Don't underprice spring cleanup just to win bids. Your real costs include crew wages ($20-$30/hr per person), disposal fees ($30-$75 per truckload), equipment time, and drive time between jobs.

A 3-person crew finishing a $250 job in 1.5 hours might net you $80-$100 after costs. That's tight. The math improves on larger jobs -- a $600 cleanup with the same crew takes 2.5-3 hours and nets $200-$250. Price your minimum at $150-$175 and pursue neighborhoods where you can stack multiple jobs in one day.

Bottom Line

Spring cleanup costs $125-$800 depending on yard size and what's included. Book in February or March to get the best price and scheduling. Bundle with mulch and fertilization to get more value per visit. Landscapers: set clear minimums, push early-bird campaigns, and make sure add-ons are priced separately.

Want homeowners to get an instant spring cleanup price from your website instead of waiting for a callback? Try QuoteSnap for free. It puts a pricing calculator on your site so customers can self-serve and you get the lead automatically.

Spring Yard Cleanup Service Pricing: 2026 Cost Guide for Homeowners