How Much Do Lawn Mowers Make? (Updated in 2024)

So you’re thinking of starting a lawn mowing business? If that’s the case, you might want to familiarize yourself with the costs that come with running the business. And like all ventures, you need to consider the starting capital, operation costs, and the average amount of money you’ll make.

The good news is that you can make good money mowing lawns or loaning lawn mowers out to other people. It’s not just a summer business, and most teenagers have made quite a sum of money mowing lawns. Think of it like this; nobody likes having a messy lawn, so you’ll definitely get clients. In this article, we’ll look at all the economics of owning a lawn mowing business.

Owning a Lawn Mowing Business

In most urban and suburban areas, lawns dominate the landscape. Having a lush lawn with grass is often something worth bragging about. The problem, however, arises once the grass is overgrown and needs to be cut. Considering that not everyone owns a lawn mower or cuts their grass, owning a lawn mowing/landscaping business is a worthy investment.

In the US alone, around $45 billion¹ is spent on caring for lawns. Because of the health and environmental concerns with using chemicals to get rid of grass and weeds, most of the money goes into mowing, with over 800 million gallons of gasoline being used to run lawn mowers annually.

How Much Money Can You Expect to Make From Mowing Lawns?

Most mowing contractors charge about $60 per hour, so if you are mowing a large area of land, maybe an acre or more, you can expect to make at least $120 per day. This adds up to about $2,100 per week and $96,000 per year if you are in business throughout the year.

Several variables, however, influence the amount of money you are likely to make mowing lawns. They include age, price of fuel in your area, and weather conditions.

The 5 Factors Likely to Affect Your Mowing Income

Some of the factors that are likely to affect how much you make mowing lawns include:

1. Stakeholders

If you make $60 per hour mowing a lawn and working by yourself, you don’t have to split it with anyone. However, if you work with another person, you have to split it depending on the shares. You might make roughly $30 to $40 per hour.

If you decide to employ a helper, you need to consider whether splitting the money makes sense and how to best split it. Keep in mind that having a helper does not necessarily double your income. It might, however, increase your turnover by around a third.

If you are sending your workers out on separate runs, this might increase your income significantly.

2. Taxes

According to your state, taxes might make a significant dent in your income. For starters, anyone who owns a lawn mowing business needs to pay a self-employment tax that goes into their social security and medicare. This self-employment tax is about 15.3% of the total income, with 12.4% going into social security and 2.9% into medicare.

3. Location

The area you intend to service is a huge factor when it comes to how much money you are likely to make. If you offer services in a high-income area, chances are that you are going to make more money compared to someone working in a low-income area. The location should also have homes with a grass lawn. It pays to do your research before starting your business.

4. Age and Health

Most times, your age directly affects your health. For example, if you’re young and energetic, you’re more likely to make more money in the lawn mowing business if you can work for long hours regularly. So if you are weak or sickly due to age, your earning capacity reduces significantly.

5. Cost of the Mower

Typically, mowers used in landscaping businesses are usually of great quality but affordable. On average, the cost of a push lawn mower is $1,068. Riding mowers, on the other hand, cost around $2,450. Purchasing a super expensive mower can mean that you don’t break even at the end of the day.

The mower should be large enough to cover a large area. However, the larger the machine, the more the parts that need repair and replacement, which may bite into a large chunk of your income.

What To Consider When Starting a Mowing Business

Most people attracted to the lawn mowing business go into it thinking it’s easy. If you are one of the lucky few, it can be. However, it is an intricate business that needs you to do your research before getting into it, and those that fail to do the due research don’t last long in the industry. Some of the factors you need to consider include:

1. Make a Business Plan

Having a business plan helps you budget for the things you need to start your business, such as a lawn mower, business cards, and fuel costs. Some of the simple questions you need to ask yourself include: how many hours will you work? Will the business operate on weekends? What area will your business be located? What mower will your buy for your business?

2. Start With Some Mowing Work

Before starting your lawn mowing business, do some mowing to ensure you know what you are doing. It allows you to decide if you are capable of handling the work that comes with this business. We recommend that you mow a lawn for at least 2 days for 6 hours a day before deciding whether the work is worth the money.

A common mistake most people make is starting a business that they cannot handle in the long run. Your business should essentially be something that you love doing and does not bore you. Keep in mind that clients can sense when you are doing something you hate since you tend to do it carelessly.

3. Get a Mentor

Getting a mentor will help you with some of the basics of running a lawn mowing business. Your mentor should be someone who’s been in the industry for a long time. A person that can give you hands-on experience and coaching so that you gain enough experience and knowledge on how to run a skill-based business.

4. Choose the Right Equipment

Since you will be spending a huge chunk of your time and effort, it makes sense to get the equipment you are comfortable using. Consider the number of hours and days that you’ll be working and take the right steps to ensure you are comfortable during all your working hours.

If you don’t mind walking for a long time, you can get a push mower. You can also consider a riding mower if you have a knee problem or can’t manage to be on your feet for a long time.

All the working gear and equipment you buy should be new. Avoid buying second-hand gear because it will probably be low quality, and you’ll likely need to replace the parts often. Some of the pieces you need to buy include:

5. Use the Existing Clients to Build Income

If you have a few clients, no matter how small, use them to make your first income. Ensure you treat them well, so they refer you to their friends, family, and neighbors. This is an excellent marketing tactic.

6. Charge Appropriately

Giving clients the right quotation is the best way to ensure that your business is profitable. Without doing so, you run a high risk of losing everything in your mowing business.

Some of the things you have to consider when quoting payments include any existing loans, internet banking, trading terms, and the collection rate. Ensure you also set fixed rates with your clients to avoid inconsistent payments and any disagreements that may ruin your working relationship.

Bottom Line

A mowing business makes a significant amount of money annually, especially in areas that do not get harsh winter months. One of the best ways to ensure you have a successful business is by gathering enough clients and maximizing your income, and the above tips are a great place to start.

Featured Image Credit: runzelkorn, Shutterstock