If you are an independent contractor, you should be charging a rate between $20 to $40 an hour to cut a client’s yard. Depending on what type of mower you are using, it could take between 1 to 3 hours to complete the job. We recommend charging an hourly rate because you will want to ensure you get paid for any time consuming obstacles that could be in your way.
Cutting grass is a great way to make an income. As an independent contractor, you need to ensure you know your pricelist ahead of time before serving clients. There are a few factors you will need to consider to come up with the best price list for your services. On this page, we’re going to discuss how much you should charge to cut 3 acres of grass?
What is an appropriate rate for cutting 3 acres of grass?
An appropriate rate to charge for cutting 3 acres of grass could be anywhere from $40 to $120, with extra costs added if you perform any other lawn maintenance work. We recommend examining the yard first to see what the terrain is like that you will be cutting and if there are any obstacles in the way.
How much you charge per hour should be based on experience and the equipment used. If you are using your own mower and supplying gas, you should charge the full $40 per hour, but if the homeowner is supplying the equipment you should lower the rate to $20 – $30.
How long does it take to cut 3 acres of grass?
There are a few things that will determine how long it takes to cut 3 acres of grass, such as the cutting deck, engine, type of mower used. If you are using a zero-turn mower with a larger cutting deck that is 46 inches or bigger, you could have 3 acres of grass cut in approximately an hour.
However, it may take longer with a traditional mower that has a smaller cutting deck. With a smaller cutting deck it could take 2 or 3 hours to complete 3 acres of grass.
What is the best type of lawn mower to use for cutting 3 acres of grass?
If you are cutting grass professionally, you should be using a zero-turn riding mower on large properties. Zero-turn mowers are build with stronger engines that allow them to go faster, which helps them manage rough terrain and get larger properties cut in less amount of time.
For example, with a 42-inch zero-turn mower you can get 1 acre of grass cut in 19 to 26 minutes, but with a 42-inch traditional riding mower, it will take 31 to 52 minutes. The horsepower in the engine makes a big difference in how much time it takes.
Can you use a push mower to cut 3 acres of grass?
While it’s physically possible, it’s not recommended to use a push mower for 3 acres of grass, especially if you are charging by the hour. For any yard that is over 1/4 acre, you should use a riding lawn mower.
Most push mowers will take anywhere from 1 hour and 13 minutes to 1 hour and 39 minutes to cut just 1 acre of grass. If you are cutting 3 acres, you can expect that to take anywhere from 3 hours and 39 minutes to 4 hours and 57 minutes.
Why can I charge higher rates for cutting grass?
It may seem like $20 to $40 an hour is a high rate for cutting grass, but there are a few things you need to consider that factor into the amount you are charging. As an independent contractor, it’s very likely that you are using your own equipment, so part of your rate includes the use of your items.
Another thing you must consider is your travel time because unlike an office job, you will be going from location to location. You may be at a house for only an hour or two before traveling across town to visit your next client.
For 3 acre yards, should I charge by the hour or by the acre?
This is a personal preference as some independent contractors prefer to make flat rates for large properties, while others prefer to charge an hourly rate. Many people will charge an hourly rate to cover the cost of time spent on challenging areas of properties with rough terrain and obstacles.
However, other contractors prefer to make a flat rate per the size of the property to make transactions quicker and easier. If you use a zero-turn mower with a large cutting deck, you may profit more off of a flat rate.
Why do some professional services charge more?
Some professional services will charge over $100 per acre, which will be more than $300 for a 3 acre property, because they offer additional lawn maintenance services. They will cut the grass and also tend to weed control, fertilization, trimming, and aeration.
For an extra fee, some services also offer pesticide control. As an independent contractor, you could make a good profit from offering other lawn maintenance services as it’s common to charge between $300 to $500 for the full lawn maintenance of a 3 acre property.
Will you receive tips from cutting the grass professionally?
One of the perks of being an independent contractor is that some clients are so happy to have their lawn cared for that they will leave a tip with their payment. However, it’s important to remember that a gratuity is not something that you should expect every time you cut the grass.
Some clients will give their lawn care professional a generous tip, but this will typically only be once a year. They may give it to them at the end of the mowing season or as a surprise around the holidays if you live in an area that requires mowing all year long.
