Mowing prices from time — lawn area ÷ mowing rate gives minutes, times the labor rate — with a minimum charge so small lawns still cover the trip.
The example
8,000 sq ft, 12k/hr rate.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 40 min @ $75/hr | $50 |
| 3 | vs $45 min | → $50 |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Mowing minutes = lawn sqft ÷ mowing rate (sqft/hour) × 60.
- Convert to hours and multiply by the hourly rate.
- MAX(…, minimum) so a tiny lawn still covers the trip.
- Add trimming/edging time and a seasonal multiplier if you bundle them.
The minimum charge is what makes small lawns profitable. A postage-stamp yard might mow in 10 minutes, but you still drove there, unloaded, and reloaded — so time × rate under-recovers the real cost. A minimum (often $40–$50) floors the price so every stop pays for itself. MAX(time×rate, minimum) applies the bigger of the two automatically.
Try it: interactive demo
Sq ft, mowing rate (sqft/hr), hourly rate, minimum.
Variations
Mowing minutes
From area:
With trimming
Add edging time:
Monthly (weekly cuts)
× cuts:
Pitfalls & errors
Minimum charge. Floor small lawns to cover the trip.
Include trim/edge. Add that time, not just mowing.
Zero rate. No mowing rate gives #DIV/0!.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I price lawn mowing in Excel?
How do I get the mowing time?
Why a minimum charge?
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