How to price lawn care jobs — a 5-step framework

# 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.