How to price lawn care jobs

Most new lawn care owners undercharge. They quote what feels comfortable, not what covers overhead + labor + profit. Here's the framework we use.

1. Know your true cost per hour

Add up truck payment, fuel, insurance, equipment depreciation, workers' comp, your target salary. Divide by billable hours per week (usually 25-30, not 40). Multiply by 52. That's your annual cost — and every hour on a job must earn a slice of it.

2. Estimate the job in HOURS, not by lot size

Two 1/4-acre lawns look the same on a map and take wildly different times. Slope, obstacles, gate access, dog situations all matter. Walk the property.

3. Add materials + disposal

Mulch, fertilizer, hauling — these are cost of goods sold. Pass them through at a modest markup (15-25%).

4. Add profit margin

Aim for 20-30% net after everything. If your quote doesn't get there, either the customer isn't a fit or you need to raise your hourly rate.

5. Round up, not down

$127.50 becomes $135. It's psychological — and it covers surprises.

Use Service ProSuite to save these estimates as reusable Services with default duration + price. New jobs auto-fill and your team stops guessing.