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Leaf Removal Service Cost Calculator — 2026 Fall Cleanup Quote
Price a 2026 fall leaf cleanup by yard size, tree coverage, and cleanups per season — then get 3 licensed, insured lawn-care contractor quotes.
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What You'll Need
Leaf Blower Cordless, 650CFM Electric Leaf Blowers with 2 x 5.2Ah Batteries and Charger, 3 Speed Modes, 1 x Adjustable Shoulder Strap, Powerful Snow Blowers for Lawn Care, Patio, Dust, Blowing Leaves
$89.98
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SUNCHERS Leaf Blower Cordless with 2 Batteries and Charger, Electric Battery Powered Cordless Leaf Blower, Portable Lightweight Handhold Blowers for Blowing Leaves, Patio Cleaning, Lawn Care and Dust
$43.69
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Leaf Blower, Electric Cordless Leaf Blower with 2 Batteries and Charger, 2 Speed Mode, Lightweight Leaf Blowers for Blowing Leaves, Lawn Care, Patio Cleaning and Dust
$69.98
View on AmazonLeaf Blower Cordless, 650CFM Electric Leaf Blowers with 2 x 5.2Ah Batteries and Charger, 3 Speed Modes, 1 x Adjustable Shoulder Strap, Powerful Snow Blowers for Lawn Care, Patio, Dust, Blowing Leaves
$89.98
View on AmazonSUNCHERS Leaf Blower Cordless with 2 Batteries and Charger, Electric Battery Powered Cordless Leaf Blower, Portable Lightweight Handhold Blowers for Blowing Leaves, Patio Cleaning, Lawn Care and Dust
$43.69
View on AmazonLeaf Blower, Electric Cordless Leaf Blower with 2 Batteries and Charger, 2 Speed Mode, Lightweight Leaf Blowers for Blowing Leaves, Lawn Care, Patio Cleaning and Dust
$69.98
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Price as of Jul 24, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Related calculators
Snow Removal Service Cost CalculatorPrice the winter follow-on — plow contracts that often bundle with your fall cleanup crew.Tree Trimming Cost CalculatorPre-winter canopy reduction — less leaf drop next fall and lower cleanup pricing.DIY Leaf Removal CalculatorDIY-side estimator for bag count, cleanup hours, and supply cost if you skip the service.Mulch Delivery Cost CalculatorRefresh beds after cleanup — many crews bundle fall mulch top-up with the final visit.Lawn Dethatching Cost Calculator — 2026 Pro Quote EstimatorEstimate 2026 lawn dethatching service cost by yard size, thatch depth, and region. Power-rake service runs $150-$350 for 5,000-10,000 sqft residential lawns.Pet Waste Removal Service Cost Calculator — 2026 Pooper Scooper QuoteEstimate 2026 pet waste removal service cost. Weekly pooper scooper pickup runs $50-$75 per month for 1 dog; biweekly $36-$60; one-time cleanups $75-$250.
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow much does professional leaf removal cost in 2026?
Per-visit: $80-$200 for a small yard under 5,000 sqft, $150-$400 for a medium 5,000-10,000 sqft yard, $300-$700 for a large 10,000+ sqft yard with heavy tree coverage. Seasonal packages (2-3 cleanups) run $250-$900. Hourly crews charge $45-$75 per person per hour with a 2-3 person minimum.
- Small yard (<5,000 sqft): $80-$200 per visit
- Medium yard (5,000-10,000 sqft): $150-$400 per visit
- Large yard (10,000+ sqft, heavy trees): $300-$700 per visit
- Seasonal 2-3 cleanup package: $250-$900
- Hourly crew: $45-$75 per person per hour (2-3 min)
| Package | Typical Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Single final cleanup | $150-$500 | Light coverage, late-drop trees |
| Two-cleanup package | $250-$700 | Standard 4-6 tree yards |
| Three-plus cleanups | $450-$1,200 | Heavy oak/maple coverage |
| Hourly crew visit | $90-$225 per hour | Odd-shape lots, add-on work |
QShould I book one final cleanup or two-three cleanups per season?
One final cleanup in mid-to-late November works for light-coverage yards (1-3 trees) where the pile stays manageable. Two cleanups (mid-October + late-November) are the standard for 4-6 tree suburban yards because a single pass on 60+ cu ft of leaves damages the lawn and risks HOA violations. Heavy oak/maple coverage (7+ mature trees) almost always needs 3+ visits — oaks drop leaves over a 6-week window that no single cleanup can cover.
- One final cleanup: light coverage, late-drop species (sycamore, honeylocust)
- Two cleanups: standard for 4-6 tree yards, avoids smothering lawn
- Three-plus cleanups: heavy oak/maple coverage, 6-week drop window
- Single late cleanups risk HOA weekly-cleanup fines in many subdivisions
- Per-visit cost drops 15-25% when bundled as a seasonal package
QIs DIY leaf removal cheaper than hiring a service?
DIY is cheaper only if you value your time at under $20 per hour. A 5,000 sqft yard with 60 cu ft of leaves takes 9 hours of raking or 3 hours of blowing; a service handles the same job in 30-45 minutes for $150-$400. At $20/hour opportunity cost, the DIY break-even is about $180 — below that, hiring wins on time value alone. For a DIY bag-count and time estimate, use the companion DIY tool linked below.
- DIY 60 cu ft yard: 9 hours raking or 3 hours blowing
- Service same yard: 30-45 minutes, $150-$400
- DIY supplies: $15-$50 in bags plus $2-$10 fuel
- Break-even at $20/hour opportunity cost: about $180 service price
- Service includes disposal — DIY may add $15-$30 in municipal bag tags
| Approach | Time | Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|
| DIY rake + bag | 9 hrs / 60 cu ft | $15-$50 |
| DIY blower + bag | 3 hrs / 60 cu ft | $20-$70 |
| DIY mulch mow | 1.8 hrs / 60 cu ft | $5-$15 |
| Pro service | 30-45 min / 60 cu ft | $150-$400 |
QWhat disposal method should I pick: blow-to-curb, bag-and-haul, or mulch-in-place?
Blow-to-curb is cheapest where municipal vacuum trucks run (most Northeast and Midwest suburbs in Oct-Nov) — the contractor just blows leaves to the street edge and the town hauls for free. Bag-and-haul adds $30-$100 per visit because the contractor bags and transports to a compost facility. Mulch-in-place is the cheapest overall: the crew runs a mulching mower over the lawn, shredded leaves decompose as free fertilizer, and disposal cost drops to zero.
- Blow-to-curb: cheapest when town vacuum pickup runs weekly Oct-Nov
- Bag-and-haul: +$30-$100 per visit, covers all towns
- Mulch-in-place: cheapest overall, returns nutrients to lawn
- Check municipal schedule before booking blow-to-curb
- Mulch-in-place best for moderate coverage (under 4 inches of leaf litter)
| Disposal Method | Cost Impact | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Blow to curb | Baseline | Towns with vacuum pickup |
| Bag and haul | +$30-$100/visit | No municipal pickup |
| Mulch in place | -$20-$50/visit | Moderate coverage, lawn-friendly |
QWhen should I book a fall cleanup contractor?
Book by mid-September for the best routes and pricing. Lawn-care contractors line up their fall cleanup rosters from existing mowing customers first, then fill remaining slots in late September. Homeowners calling in late October routinely pay 20-40% premium or get pushed to December visits when the ground is frozen and cleanups are 50% less effective. Deposits for seasonal packages are typically 25-50% at signing.
- Book by mid-September for best pricing and route placement
- Late-October bookings pay 20-40% premium
- Deposits: 25-50% at signing for seasonal packages
- December cleanups are 50% less effective (frozen ground, wind)
- Existing mowing customers get fall priority — ask your mower first
QWhat should be included in a leaf cleanup contract?
Confirm in writing: scope (lawn only vs lawn + beds + gutters), disposal method and cost, number of visits and approximate dates, response window after a late-drop storm, and insurance coverage. General liability ($1-2M minimum) covers lawn damage from blower or mower. Commercial auto coverage matters when the contractor uses a trailer on your property. Late arrivals and missed beds are the #1 contract complaint — specify bed cleanup explicitly.
- Scope: lawn only vs lawn + beds + gutters (itemize)
- Disposal method and cost line (blow / bag / mulch)
- Number of visits and target date windows
- Response window after a storm (48-72 hours typical)
- Verify general liability ($1-2M) and commercial auto insurance
Example Calculations
110,000 sqft yard, moderate coverage, 2 cleanups, NY suburbs
Inputs
Yard size10,000 sqft
Tree coverageModerate (4-6 trees)
Cleanups per seasonTwo cleanups
DisposalBlow to curb
Result
Typical per-season$400 – $700
Per-visit equivalent$200-$350
Deposit (25-50%)$100-$350
Moderate NY-suburbs tree coverage with 2 pro cleanups and municipal vacuum pickup. Priced at the $200-$350 per-visit band x 2 visits with a 10-15% package discount.
25,000 sqft yard, heavy coverage, single cleanup, bag-and-haul
Inputs
Yard size5,000 sqft
Tree coverageHeavy (7-10 trees)
Cleanups per seasonOne final cleanup
DisposalBag and haul
Result
Typical per-visit$280 – $500
Heavy-tree surcharge+40-60% over baseline
Bag-and-haul add-on+$60-$100
Small yard but heavy tree coverage pushes the price into the medium-yard band. Single-visit pricing reflects the 120+ cu ft leaf pile and the bag-and-haul disposal premium.
315,000 sqft lot, very-heavy oak coverage, 3 cleanups, MA
Inputs
Yard size15,000 sqft
Tree coverageVery heavy (10+ mature)
Cleanups per seasonThree-plus cleanups
DisposalMulch in place (2) + bag final (1)
Result
Typical per-season$750 – $1,400
Per-visit equivalent$250-$470
Oak-drop window6 weeks mid-Oct to late-Nov
Formulas Used
Leaf cleanup service cost driver breakdown
Per-visit = Yard-size base + Tree-coverage premium + Disposal surcharge. Seasonal package = Visits × per-visit (with 10-25% bundle discount).Yard size sets the base rate ($80-$200 small, $150-$400 medium, $300-$700 large). Tree coverage multiplies: light baseline, moderate standard, heavy +40-60%, very-heavy +75-120%. Disposal surcharge: bag-and-haul +$30-$100 per visit, mulch-in-place -$20-$50, blow-to-curb baseline (requires municipal vacuum pickup). Seasonal packages bundle 2-3 visits at a 10-25% discount vs booking each visit standalone.
Where:
Yard-size base= Small (<5k sqft) $80-$200, medium (5-10k) $150-$400, large (10k+) $300-$700Tree-coverage multiplier= Light 1.0x, moderate 1.0x, heavy 1.4-1.6x, very-heavy 1.75-2.2xDisposal surcharge= Blow-to-curb $0, bag-and-haul +$30-$100, mulch-in-place -$20-$50Package discount= 10-25% off per-visit when 2-3 cleanups bundled as seasonalLeaf Removal Service Cost in 2026: What Fall Cleanup Actually Costs
1
Summary: 2026 Leaf Cleanup Service Cost at a Glance
Professional leaf removal in 2026 runs $80-$200 per visit for a small yard under 5,000 sqft, $150-$400 for a standard 5,000-10,000 sqft suburban yard, and $300-$700 for a large 10,000+ sqft lot with heavy tree coverage. Seasonal packages bundling 2-3 cleanups price at $250-$900 and save 10-25% over booking each visit standalone. Hourly crews charge $45-$75 per person per hour with a 2-3 person minimum for odd-shape lots, add-on gutter or bed work, and storm-damage cleanup.
The key decision for homeowners is visits per season. A single late-November cleanup works only for light-coverage yards (1-3 trees, late-drop species like honeylocust or sycamore). A standard 4-6 tree suburban yard almost always needs two cleanups (mid-October + late-November) because a single pass on 60+ cubic feet of leaves smothers the lawn and risks HOA weekly-cleanup fines. Heavy oak/maple properties drop leaves over a 6-week window and need 3+ visits to keep the lawn healthy and the HOA quiet.
Pricing in this guide is aggregated from Angi, HomeGuide, LawnStarter, and LawnLove 2026 rate cards, with regional adjustments for Northeast/Midwest deciduous zones (premium) vs Southwest/Southeast (discount). Use the calculator above to size your yard and coverage, then read on for the service-vs-DIY break-even, the disposal-method decision, and the September booking deadline that routinely costs late-bookers 20-40% premium. If you want to price out winter plowing or summer tree work instead, the snow removal service cost calculator and tree trimming cost calculator handle adjacent scope.
2
What Leaf Removal Actually Costs in 2026
Yard size is the primary driver because it sets total minutes on site. A small 3,000 sqft yard takes 20-30 minutes to blow clean; a standard 7,500 sqft suburban yard takes 45-60 minutes; a large 12,000+ sqft lot with heavy tree coverage takes 90 minutes to 2+ hours. Contractors translate those minutes into per-visit prices of $80-$200, $150-$400, and $300-$700 respectively. The bands overlap because tree coverage and disposal method shift a yard up or down a tier.
Tree coverage multiplies the base rate. Light coverage (1-3 trees) sits at the bottom of the base band. Moderate coverage (4-6 mature trees) is the national-average case. Heavy coverage (7-10 mature trees) adds 40-60% because the leaf pile is physically 2-3x larger and the crew may need two passes in a single visit to avoid smothering the lawn. Very-heavy coverage (10+ mature oaks or maples) adds 75-120% — at this level, the leaf load rivals a small commercial property.
Disposal method is the third lever. Blow-to-curb is the baseline when the municipality runs vacuum-truck pickup (most Northeast and Midwest suburbs from mid-October through mid-December). Bag-and-haul adds $30-$100 per visit because the crew bags the leaves and trucks them to a compost facility. Mulch-in-place — running a mulching mower over the lawn so shredded leaves decompose as fertilizer — is the cheapest overall and reduces the per-visit price by $20-$50 vs blow-to-curb. Pricing has risen 10-15% since 2023 on diesel fuel, truck insurance, and labor inflation. For households replacing the DIY approach entirely, the DIY leaf removal calculator gives the bag-count and hour count so you can sanity-check the service quote.
| Yard Size | Per-Visit | Seasonal 2-3 Cleanups |
|---|---|---|
| Small (< 5,000 sqft) | $80-$200 | $180-$500 |
| Medium (5,000-10,000 sqft) | $150-$400 | $280-$800 |
| Large (10,000+ sqft, heavy) | $300-$700 | $600-$1,400 |
| Oversized (15,000+ sqft, very-heavy) | $500-$1,200 | $1,100-$2,500 |
The $150-$400 band is for a standard 4-6 tree, 7,500 sqft suburban yard. Heavy oak/maple coverage adds 40-60% and very-heavy mature canopy adds 75-120% — verify your tree count honestly before bidding.
3
One Cleanup, Two, or Three: How to Pick Visit Count
One final cleanup in mid-to-late November works only for light-coverage yards (1-3 trees) or late-drop species like honeylocust, sycamore, and London plane. Below 4 trees, a single late pass catches most of the drop without smothering the lawn. The per-visit price is typically the highest (you are paying for one visit on a larger pile), but the total season cost is the lowest at $150-$500.
Two cleanups — mid-October plus late-November — is the national standard for a 4-6 tree suburban yard. The first visit clears early drop (ash, walnut, cottonwood, soft maple) before it mats and kills the grass; the second catches the late drop (oak, beech, sugar maple). Two-cleanup packages are the most common service tier and price at $250-$700 depending on yard size. The 10-25% package discount vs two standalone visits is the main reason to bundle.
Three or more cleanups are almost mandatory for yards with 7+ mature oaks or maples. Oaks in particular drop leaves over a 6-week window from mid-October through late-November, and a single pass leaves a 3-4 week gap where fresh leaves accumulate and mat. Heavy-coverage yards booking 3+ visits commonly pay $450-$1,200 per season, but the lawn health, HOA compliance, and reduced spring dethatching cost easily offset the premium. For yards where heavy canopy also triggers late-season branch drop, the tree trimming cost calculator prices the pre-winter trim that reduces next year cleanup volume by 15-25%.
- One final cleanup (late Nov): 1-3 trees, late-drop species, $150-$500 season
- Two cleanups (mid-Oct + late-Nov): standard 4-6 trees, $250-$700 season
- Three-plus cleanups: 7+ mature oaks/maples, $450-$1,200 season
- HOA weekly-cleanup neighborhoods: always 3+ visits to avoid fines
- Single-pass risk: 60+ cu ft on 5,000 sqft lawn smothers grass for 6 weeks
4
Disposal Methods: Blow-to-Curb vs Bag-and-Haul vs Mulch-in-Place
Blow-to-curb is the cheapest option when your municipality runs fall vacuum-truck pickup (weekly October through mid-December in most Northeast and Midwest suburbs). The contractor blows leaves to the street edge, the town vacuum truck hauls them to municipal compost, and you pay zero disposal surcharge. Verify the pickup schedule with your public-works department before booking — missing a single pickup week means leaves sit at the curb for 7-14 days, blowing back into the yard on every windy day.
Bag-and-haul adds $30-$100 per visit because the contractor bags the leaves in paper lawn sacks or loads them into a dump trailer and transports to a compost facility. This is the default in towns without municipal vacuum pickup (most Southern and Western metros, rural areas, and denser urban grids where street storage is illegal). The surcharge varies with yard size — expect $30-$50 for a small yard, $50-$80 for medium, and $80-$100+ for large or very-heavy coverage. Some contractors include bag-and-haul in the base quote for small yards and only itemize it at medium-and-above.
Mulch-in-place is the cheapest overall and the best option for lawn health. The crew runs a mulching mower over the leaves until they are dime-sized; shredded leaves decompose over winter and release nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium into the soil. Michigan State University research found mulch-mowed lawns need 25-30% less spring fertilizer. The method works well for moderate coverage (under 4 inches of leaf litter); above that, the mower chokes and you need a blow-to-curb or bag-and-haul pass first. For the broader seasonal bed refresh that often bundles with the final fall cleanup, the mulch delivery cost calculator prices the spring top-up.
| Disposal Method | Cost Impact | When It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Blow to curb | Baseline (included) | Town vacuum pickup Oct-Dec |
| Bag and haul | +$30-$100 per visit | Towns without vacuum pickup |
| Mulch in place | -$20-$50 per visit | Under 4" leaf litter, lawn health |
| Combo (mulch early + bag final) | Mixed | Heavy coverage, lawn-friendly |
Mulch-in-place beats blow-to-curb on price AND returns $15-$25 of fertilizer value to the lawn per 1,000 sqft. The only reason to skip it is if your leaf layer tops 4 inches of litter — at that point the mower chokes and you need a blow-and-bag pass first.
5
Regional Timing: When the Fall Cleanup Window Opens and Closes
The fall cleanup window varies 3-4 weeks across the US. The Upper Midwest and Northern New England (MN, WI, ME, NH, VT) kick off in late September as aspens and early-drop maples start, peak in mid-October, and wrap by early November before snow. The Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes (NY, PA, OH, MI, NJ) start in early October, peak late October, and wrap by Thanksgiving. The Mid-South (VA, NC, TN, KY) starts mid-October and runs through mid-December because oaks drop later. The Southwest and Deep South have a shorter, lighter window in late November through December and often only need one cleanup.
Book by mid-September to lock in the best routes and pricing in deciduous zones. Lawn-care contractors line up fall rosters from existing mowing customers first (late August to early September) and fill remaining slots in late September. Homeowners calling in late October routinely pay 20-40% premium or get pushed to December visits when the ground is frozen and cleanups are 50% less effective (leaves blow back from frozen surfaces, bed cleanup is impossible, and the crew cannot tell which piles are leaves vs snow).
The October booking surge is why seasonal mowing customers get first pick. If you already use a lawn-mowing service, ask about fall cleanup add-ons before September — most mowers offer 10-15% loyalty discount for existing customers and prioritize their routes during storm cleanup weeks. For households planning across mow, leaf, and winter scope together, the lawn mowing calculator handles the summer budget and the snow removal service cost calculator handles the winter follow-on.
- Upper Midwest / Northern New England: late Sept to early Nov
- Mid-Atlantic / Great Lakes: early Oct to Thanksgiving
- Mid-South: mid-Oct to mid-Dec (oak-heavy)
- Southwest / Deep South: late Nov to Dec (lighter, often 1 cleanup)
- Book by mid-September — late-October calls pay 20-40% premium
- December visits: 50% less effective, frozen ground, wind-blown repeats
6
Contract Checklist: What to Confirm Before Signing
Six items to confirm in writing before signing a seasonal leaf cleanup contract. First, scope per visit: lawn only, lawn + beds, or lawn + beds + gutters — itemize each because "full cleanup" means different things to different crews. Second, disposal method and line-item cost (blow-to-curb, bag-and-haul at $30-$100, or mulch-in-place). Third, visit count and approximate date windows (mid-October, first week of November, late-November). Fourth, response window after a late-drop storm — 48-72 hours is typical, longer during peak weeks.
Fifth, re-cleanup policy if wind piles leaves back onto the lawn within 5 days of service. Most reputable contractors return free for one re-cleanup per visit; some charge a reduced rate. Get the policy in writing — post-cleanup wind events are the #1 dispute source. Sixth, verify insurance: general liability ($1-2M minimum) covers lawn damage from blowers and mowers, plus bed damage from trampling; commercial auto covers the contractor truck and trailer on your property. General liability alone does not cover vehicle-caused property damage — a trailer that crushes a decorative wall is a commercial-auto claim.
Deposits for seasonal packages run 25-50% at signing, with the balance due after the final visit. Full pre-payment is common for first-time customers and gets you a 3-5% additional discount at many contractors. Always require a refund or pro-ration clause if you sell the house mid-season — most contractors honor a 50% refund before the first visit, 25% refund after the first visit, and no refund after the second. For companion scope where the same crew handles snow, the snow removal service cost calculator helps you price the bundle discount.
Commercial auto insurance is the coverage most homeowners miss. A crew trailer that crushes a decorative wall or takes out a sprinkler head is a commercial-auto claim — general liability alone does not cover vehicle-caused property damage. Verify both policies before signing.
- Scope itemized: lawn, beds, gutters separately
- Disposal method + line-item cost in writing
- Visit count and date windows
- Response window after storms (48-72 hours typical)
- Re-cleanup policy for wind-blown repeats within 5 days
- General liability ($1-2M) AND commercial auto insurance
- Deposit 25-50% at signing, refund clause for mid-season sale
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Last Updated: Jul 24, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.