COST GUIDES
How much does grass cutting cost in 2026?
Updated 05/26
Wondering how much grass cutting services cost? This handy guide walks you through average lawn mowing prices, whether you have a commercial or residential property.
Fast Facts
Residential lawn mowing costs on average £30 per hour
Commercial lawn mowing costs on average £40 per hour
Lawn mowing costs can be spread out throughout the year with an annual maintenance contract
Whether you want to tackle an overgrown and damaged lawn or just keep your outdoor space looking its best, regular grass cutting is essential.
But if you don't have a spare minute in a day or are unable to do it yourself, professional gardeners can help.
In this guide, we walk you through the average grass-cutting costs in the UK, including hourly rates and services like strimming. We'll also provide tips on finding a trusted gardener.
Grass cutting costs in detail
| How much does grass cutting cost? | Unit | Cost +VAT (Range low-high) | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential lawn mowing | Per hour | - | £30 |
| Residential lawn mowing | Per 100 m2 | - | £30 |
| Commercial lawn mowing | Per hour | £30-50 | £40 |
| Commercial lawn mowing | Per 100 m2 | - | £35 |
| Strimming | Per job | £15-110 | £62.50 |
| Gas cutting - large areas by tractor | Per acre | £10 - £40 | £25 |
| Last updated: May 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
The costs above are a good place to start, but as you can see, there's a difference in price depending on whether it's a residential or commercial lawn. Let's break down the costs:
Average hourly rates for grass cutting
The average hourly rate for grass cutting varies, particularly between residential and commercial lawn mowing. On average you're looking at:
Residential lawn mowing – £30 per hour
Commercial lawn mowing – £40 per hour
Would you prefer to find out what weekly, every two weeks or one-off grass-cutting rates are? You're best off contacting a local gardener directly. They'll be able to give you an idea of costs based on the size of your lawn.
It's also worth noting that some gardeners have a minimum charge. So, if you have a small lawn, you may need to combine lawn mowing with some other work to meet this, such as tree pruning or leaf clearing.
Grass cutting cost per m²
If you want to make sure you’re getting exactly what you pay for, and not worry about the hours running away, then you can ask your gardener to price the job per square metre. The work will then be costed according to the exact size of your garden.
Average costs for grass cutting per m² are:
Residential lawn mowing – On average, the price for grass cutting is £30 per 100m²
Commercial lawn mowing – Prices are generally £35 per 100m²
Haven't got a clue what your lawn's square metre footage is? You're not the only one! Here are a few estimates for garden sizes based on average homes to give you a steer:
Terraced property – 50-75 square metres
Average-sized family home – 100-150 square metres
Detached house – 150-400 square metres, depending on whether you're in an urban or rural location
Grass cutting services near me
If your lawn is overgrown, uneven, or difficult to manage, finding the right help can prevent damage and save you time.
Grass cutting prices per acre UK
For larger properties and commercial locations with much wider grassy areas, costs will be higher. This comes down to two factors:
You are unlikely to be able to use a single gardener and will require an established company, which will have additional overheads
Most businesses will prefer to work with someone who is recognised by a professional body (such as the Association of Professional Landscapers) and who has public liability insurance to cover any damage
A professional gardener may suggest visiting every two weeks to keep on top of things for larger lawns. You might also need to factor in other costs, such as travel time, if your gardener travels a fair distance to get to your property.
To get a quote for grass cutting per acre in the UK, you're best off contacting a gardener directly.
What's included in a grass cutting quote?
When you get a quote from a gardener for grass cutting, you can usually expect them to show up at your property with their lawn mowing equipment, cut the grass, and dispose of the cuttings.
Additional costs to budget for
You may need to pay extra for things like:
Strimming and other gardening tasks
Green waste disposal, if not included
Travel and parking
VAT
Get a quote for grass cutting services near me
As you can see from the costs above, affordable grass-cutting services are possible, if you know where to look. And that's where Checkatrade can help.
If you haven't got a recommendation from friends or family, why not use Checkatrade's 'request a quote' service instead? Fill in your job details, and we'll contact professional gardeners in your area on your behalf. They'll then contact you directly with some quotes. It's that simple!
Find trusted grass cutting services near you
Factors influencing grass cutting prices
While the costs above are a good starting point, there are additional factors influencing grass cutting prices to bear in mind. They include:
Garden size and condition
If your garden is full of weeds and has damaged or worn areas, this will increase the grass cutting costs. Ask your gardener about fixing these problems, such as restoring the grass through seeding and removing the weeds.
Time of year
In some seasons, the grass is longer and growing more frequently, and gardeners are in higher demand. There's a chance you may need to pay a little more to keep up.
Location of the property
Grass-cutting services tend to be more expensive in London and the South of the UK due to higher living costs. The further you live away from the gardener, the more they will charge as well.
Additional services
If you want to keep your garden looking good in the long-term, consider lawn treatment services like aerating and seeding, although this will be an additional cost. Some gardeners also charge extra for waste disposal, so always make sure to ask.
If you have excessively long grass or weeds, then the grass will need to be cut down with a grass strimmer before it can be mowed. Grass strimming costs around £62.50, depending on the length of the grass and the size of the garden.
Curious to find out more about looking after your lawn? Our lawn and garden maintenance guide will be handy.
Try the job estimate calculator
Want a more accurate estimate of grass cutting prices for your property? Give the Checkatrade job estimate calculator a try.
Just enter a few details about what you need, such as the size of your lawn, and the tool will use Checkatrade data to give you an approximate quote.
Job Estimate Calculator
Why hire a grass cutting service?
It’s no surprise people often say gardens are like a DIY project that never ends – gardening is a time-consuming task! And, whilst some may love the challenge, there’s no shame in hiring a professional to take away the hard work.
From a tenant without a lawn mover, to an elderly person or person with a physical disability who cannot mow the lawn themselves, there are countless reasons why people need the help of a professional gardener to keep on top of things.
Benefits of hiring regular professional grass cutting services include:
Saves time and effort (you can even throw away that old mower and free up space in your shed!)
Regular grass cutting by a professional ensures a healthy lawn all year round
Hiring a gardener is an ideal way for those less physically able to continue to enjoy the garden they love
Your grass cutting services cost is likely to be reasonable when split over the year
Is now not the right time for you to invest in a professional gardener's help? If you're taking on the grass cutting yourself, check out our lawn mowing tips to help you get off to a smooth start!
Find trusted grass cutting services near you
Tips to reduce grass cutting costs
Though you should be wary of any gardener offering too-good-to-be-true cheap grass-cutting services, there are ways to reduce costs. Tips include:
Bundle services – Think about adding on additional gardening jobs to maximise your gardener's time, such as tree pruning and leaf clearing
Opt for an annual maintenance contract – Your grass-cutting services cost is likely to be more reasonable when split over the year
Use your local green waste collection – It may cost less than paying for a gardener to take away the waste
How to choose a professional grass cutting service
If you're ready to find a professional grass cutting service, there's a few simple steps you can follow to make sure you're getting an experienced, reliable tradesperson for the job. Tips include:
1. Check reviews and certifications
Some gardening companies will be members of the Association of Professional Landscapers. This means they have the required qualifications and their work is certified.
2. Request multiple quotes to compare prices
We always recommend getting at least three quotes from tradespeople local to you. That way, you can be sure you're getting the best tradesperson and price for the job.
Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area.
3. Look for insured tradespeople for added peace of mind
Accidents occasionally happen in the garden, so it's worth asking if your gardener has public liability insurance. This will cover them and you in case of any accidental damage.
All Checkatrade-approved members have public liability insurance as standard for your added peace of mind. More on finding reputable tradespeople is up next.
Find a local grass cutting service near me
To find a local, trusted tradesperson in your area and get a personalised cost to mow your lawn, use our free search feature below.
All our tradespeople have passed up to 12 checks, and are reviewed by customers like you. We even guarantee their work up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply), to give you a little extra peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
That all depends on the size of your lawn. But as a general steer, you're looking at paying:
Residential lawn mowing – £30 per hour
Commercial lawn mowing – £40 per hour
Absolutely. Gardeners often offer more affordable rates with a yearly lawn maintenance contract. You'll also be keeping your lawn looking at its best year-round!
A professional grass cutting service will include mowing the lawn and tidying the grass edges. If extra strimming is required because of overgrown weeds or excessively long grass, this will be an additional cost. As will other lawn care services such as seeding.
If you have time on your side and are physically able, cutting the grass yourself will be cheaper. Although, that's presuming you've got a lawn mover and strimmer up to the task.
During the growing season (March to October), the general rule of thumb is to cut your grass fortnightly. From November onwards, you may not need to cut your grass at all.
Residential care tends to be for average-sized terraced, semi-detached and detached homes. For larger estates and commercial properties with acres of grassy areas to maintain, commercial lawn care is needed instead.
We always recommend asking friends or family for recommendations of a reputable gardener. You can then use our free directory below to see if they are checked by Checkatrade and take a look at their reviews.
See the tradespeople we've checked for your job