Lawn fertilization and weed control service costs explained

What most homeowners pay for lawn treatments

For a typical suburban lawn (about 5,000-10,000 sq ft), most homeowners pay around $65 to $125 per visit for professional fertilization plus weed control, with 4-8 visits per year depending on climate and lawn goals.¹ ² That usually puts a full-season treatment program roughly in the $300 to $900+ per year range.

National data for fertilization alone suggests $65-$100 per application up to 10,000 sq ft, or $260-$600 per year for 4-6 visits.¹ Weed control services commonly fall in the $50-$125 per treatment range, and combined "weed and feed" visits land in a similar band.²

For a quick mental benchmark for 2025-2026:

Small lawn (up to ~5,000 sq ft): $50-$90 per visit, $250-$600 per season
Average lawn (~8,000-12,000 sq ft): $70-$120 per visit, $350-$900 per season
Large lawn (~½ acre+): $110-$220+ per visit, often $700-$1,500+ per season, depending on frequency and extras¹ ²

These ranges assume standard synthetic products and "typical" weed pressure. Premium organics, heavy weed infestations, and extras like grub control or aeration push costs higher.¹ ³

Sample price snapshot (typical 5,000-10,000 sq ft lawn)

Service type	Typical cost per visit	Typical yearly total*
Fertilization only	$65 - $100	$260 - $600
Fertilization + broadleaf weed control	$75 - $125	$350 - $900
Premium program (soil test, plus extras)	$100 - $175+	$500 - $1,200+

*Assumes 4-8 visits per year.

Lawn care technician applying fertilizer and weed control to a green front yard

How lawn treatment pricing is structured

Lawn fertilization and weed control companies in the U.S. usually price work in a few common ways:

1. Per-application pricing

This is the most common model and what you'll see in most quotes.

You pay a flat price per visit, often with a minimum service fee in the $40-$80 range for smaller properties.¹
That price typically includes both fertilizer and weed control products applied in one pass.
The company may give a discount if you commit to a full-year program up front.

2. Seasonal or annual programs

Instead of buying visits one at a time, you buy a package:

Most programs include 4-8 treatments per year: spring pre-emergent, late-spring fertilizer and weed control, one or two summer treatments, and one or two fall/"winterizer" visits.
You may pay per visit as they occur or spread costs into equal monthly payments (e.g., 8-12 equal charges through the year).
Bundled programs can be 10-20% cheaper overall than ordering the exact same visits one by one.

3. By lawn size (per 1,000 sq ft or per acre)

Behind the scenes, many pros calculate pricing by square footage:

National averages for fertilization alone work out to about $0.02-$0.06 per sq ft per year, depending on lawn size and number of applications.¹
You'll see price jumps at size breakpoints: up to 5,000 sq ft, 5,000-10,000 sq ft, ¼ acre, ½ acre, and so on.

Most residential customers just see a simple per-visit price, but knowing that it's based on square footage helps you sense whether a quote is in line with norms.

Costs and price drivers

Several factors push your fertilization and weed control quote higher or lower.

1. Lawn size and layout

Bigger lawns cost more, but the price per sq ft usually drops as you go up in size.
Tight gates, steep slopes, lots of beds or obstacles, or having front and back lawns separated by a fence can add time, which may bump costs.

2. Number of treatments per year

In cooler northern climates with cool-season grasses, 4-6 visits is common.
In warmer regions with longer growing seasons, 6-8 visits may be recommended to keep weeds in check.
Each additional visit usually costs the same as a standard application, so bumping from 4 to 7 treatments can nearly double your yearly spend.

3. Product type and quality

Standard synthetic programs are typically the least expensive.
Organic or hybrid organic programs often run 20-50% more due to higher product costs and sometimes lower application rates that require more frequent visits.¹ ³
Specialty products (insecticides for grubs, disease control, nutsedge herbicides, etc.) are billed as add-on line items.

4. Weed pressure and lawn condition

A lawn already in good shape may only need maintenance-level rates.
If your yard is weed-heavy or thin, the company may recommend more aggressive treatments at the start, or charge extra for:
- Multiple heavy weed-control passes
- Overseeding after aeration
- Corrective lime or soil amendments

5. Region and local market

Areas with higher labor and business costs (coastal metros, some Northeast and West Coast cities) often sit at the top of the ranges.
Smaller towns and many Southern or Midwestern markets skew closer to the low or middle of the national bands.

Example cost scenarios (ballpark)

These examples assume a standard synthetic program for 2025-2026, with combined fertilization and broadleaf weed control:

5,000 sq ft, 5 visits at $80/visit → about $400/year
10,000 sq ft, 6 visits at $95/visit → about $570/year
½ acre, 7 visits at $150/visit → about $1,050/year

Your actual quote will reflect your local rates, lawn condition, and how all-inclusive the program is.

What's typically included in a lawn treatment program

While each company's "lawn care program" is slightly different, most fall into a few buckets:

Basic fertilization program

3-4 timed fertilizer applications
Minimal or no weed control (sometimes spot-sprayed for an extra fee)
Best for lawns that are already dense and relatively weed-free

Standard fertilization + weed control

4-8 visits per year, with each visit including:
- Balanced fertilizer tailored to the season
- Pre-emergent herbicide in early spring for crabgrass and other annual weeds
- Post-emergent (sprayed) herbicide for broadleaf weeds like dandelion and clover
Often the sweet spot for most homeowners in terms of cost vs. results

Premium or "complete" programs

These higher-priced options may layer on:

Soil testing and custom nutrient plans
Preventive grub and surface insect control
Fungicides in humid regions prone to turf disease
At least one core aeration and possibly overseeding

Premium plans can easily push a lawn into the upper ranges (or beyond) of the yearly cost estimates above, but they may also replace later expenses like full renovation.

Local factors and regulations across the U.S.

Because this guide focuses on the U.S., a few regional and legal details can affect pricing and what products your provider is allowed to use.

Climate and grass type: Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, rye) dominate much of the North and need different timing and sometimes fewer summer applications than warm-season grasses (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine) common in the South.
State and local fertilizer rules: Several states restrict or heavily discourage phosphorus in lawn fertilizers except when a soil test shows a deficiency or when establishing a new lawn. New York, for example, bans phosphorus fertilizer on established lawns that don't need it and prohibits any lawn fertilizer use between December 1 and April 1, as well as near surface waters.⁴ These rules can slightly change product choices and timing, and your provider should already be designing programs around them.
Water quality concerns: Counties and cities near sensitive lakes and waterways sometimes have additional ordinances around fertilizer or weed-control products. Reputable lawn treatment companies will usually ask about nearby ponds, streams, or drainage ways before they quote and treat.

When you request quotes, be sure to mention:

Your approximate lawn size and whether you're on a slope or near water
Any prior issues (e.g., crabgrass takeover, grubs, bare patches)
Whether you prefer standard synthetic or more organic-leaning products

How to compare quotes and get good value

To make apples-to-apples comparisons between lawn treatment companies:

Confirm the number of visits and timing
A "program" could mean 4, 6, or 8 visits; more visits aren't always better if they're not needed for your climate.
Ask exactly what each visit includes
Is weed control blanket-applied or spot-sprayed? Are pre-emergents included? Are grub treatments automatic or only if needed (and at what extra cost)?
Check for add-on fees
Some companies charge extra for service calls between scheduled visits, others include touch-ups at no charge.
Clarify contract terms
Is it a recurring plan that auto-renews each year, or a one-season agreement? Are there cancellation fees?
Look for guarantees
Many reputable providers offer to re-treat problem spots between visits if weeds persist.

If you collect a few quotes with the same visit count and similar inclusions, the price differences you see will mostly reflect product choice, service level, and your local market rates.

Conclusion

For most U.S. homeowners, a professional lawn fertilization and weed control program for an average-size yard runs in the mid-hundreds of dollars per year, with final cost driven by lawn size, visit count, product type, and local market rates.

Glossary

Pre-emergent herbicide: A product applied before weed seeds germinate to stop new weeds like crabgrass from sprouting.
Post-emergent herbicide: A product sprayed on existing weeds to kill them after they appear.
Broadleaf weeds: Non-grass weeds such as dandelion, clover, and plantain that have wider leaves than turfgrass.
Cool-season grass: Turf types (like fescue or Kentucky bluegrass) that grow best in spring and fall and can stress in hot summers.
Warm-season grass: Turf types (like Bermuda or zoysia) that love heat and are common in the South, often going dormant and brown in winter.
N-P-K ratio: The three-number rating on fertilizer bags showing percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).