# How much does lawn mowing and lawn care cost in Markham and the GTA?

URL: https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/lawn-care-cost-markham/  
Updated: 2026-10-13  
By: Hotiv Landscaping, Markham, Ontario. Call or text (437) 684-2535.

**Short answer:** HomeStars' lawn care pages put a standard cut in Markham and Toronto at about $40 to $80 a visit, and bundled lawn care at $120 to $300 a month. Its Canada-wide price guide lists weekly mowing at $25 to $55 a visit and bi-weekly at $50 to $80. Over 26 weekly cuts, roughly late April to late October, that comes to about $650 to $1,430 before 13% HST. These are published market ranges, not Hotiv's prices.

The usual lawn mowing cost in Markham and Toronto is $40 to $80 a visit for a standard cut, according to HomeStars' lawn care pages for both cities. HomeStars' Canada-wide price guide, updated in August 2026, puts weekly mowing at $25 to $55 a visit and bi-weekly at $50 to $80. Bundled monthly lawn care is listed at $120 to $300.

Every number on this page comes from the sources listed at the bottom. None of it is our pricing.

We quote each property after seeing it. If you're in [Markham](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/areas/markham/) or nearby and want a real number, our [lawn mowing and lawn care](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/lawn-care/) page is the place to start.

## Key numbers

- Standard cut, Markham or Toronto: $40–$80 a visit (HomeStars)
- Weekly cut: $25–$55 a visit (HomeStars, 2026)
- Bi-weekly cut: $50–$80 a visit (HomeStars, 2026)
- 26 weekly cuts, before HST: $650–$1,430
- Bundled lawn care: $120–$300 a month (HomeStars)

## How much does a single lawn cut cost in the GTA?

HomeStars puts the average cut at $30 to $80 a visit, depending on the size and complexity of the lawn, and $40 to $80 for a standard cut in Toronto or Markham. Its 2026 price guide breaks the national figures down two ways, by yard size and by type of service:

| What's priced | Typical cost per visit (HomeStars) |
|---|---|
| Yard up to 1,000 sq ft | $30–$50 |
| Yard 1,000–3,000 sq ft | $40–$70 |
| Yard 3,000–5,000 sq ft | $60–$80 |
| Yard over 5,000 sq ft | $80–$150+ |
| Basic mowing only | $30–$50 |
| Mowing and trimming | $40–$70 |
| Full service, including edging | $60–$100 |
| Standard cut in Toronto or Markham | $40–$80 |

HomeStars labels the size bands by yard size and doesn't say whether that means the whole lot or only the grass. The mowing time goes into the grass, though. Size is the first thing HomeStars lists as driving the price.

*Image: Top view of a suburban lot where the house, driveway, patio and garden beds take up much of the space and only the front and back lawns are shaded as mowed. Measure the lawn, not the lot: only the green areas get mowed*

> **Good to know:** Measure the lawn, not the lot. Once you take out the house, driveway, patio and beds, the grass is often much smaller than the lot. A tape measure or a satellite map is enough to get a figure before you compare quotes.

## Does weekly or bi-weekly mowing cost less?

Weekly mowing costs less per visit, but you pay for twice as many visits, so the season total usually comes out higher. Grass left for two weeks takes more labour and time to cut, which is why each bi-weekly visit costs more.

| Schedule | Typical cost per visit (HomeStars) |
|---|---|
| Weekly | $25–$55 |
| Bi-weekly | $50–$80 |
| One-time cut on a neglected lawn | $65–$100 or more |

The frequency also matters for the grass. Landscape Ontario and University of Illinois Extension both say to take off no more than a third of the blade in one cut. Illinois adds that spring growth will likely need mowing more than once a week.

Kept at the 6 to 8 cm height Landscape Ontario recommends, a lawn only needs 3 to 4 cm of new growth to pass that one-third limit.

*Image: Grass blades beside a ruler: at a 6 to 8 cm mowing height, 3 to 4 cm of new growth is a third of the blade; longer grass cut back to the same height loses more and has shorter roots. Take off no more than a third of the blade in one cut*

Clemson University's Home & Garden Information Center warns that cutting off more than a third at once can stop the roots from growing. The lawn then needs more watering to get through a dry summer. That's the hidden cost of stretching spring cuts to every two weeks.

## What does a full season of lawn care cost in Ontario?

Multiply the per-visit price by the number of cuts. Landscape Ontario's lawn calendar starts with a spring clean-up in April and ends with a late-season feeding in November, and the mowing happens in between.

The numbers below assume 26 cuts, roughly late April to late October, using HomeStars' ranges. A cold spring or a long, mild fall changes the count, so ask how many cuts a quote assumes.

| Schedule | Visits | Price range | Season total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly cuts | 26 | $25–$55 a visit | $650–$1,430 |
| Bi-weekly cuts | 13 | $50–$80 a visit | $650–$1,040 |
| Bundled monthly care | 6 months | $120–$300 a month | $720–$1,800 |

Add 13% HST to any of these if the company charges it. $1,430 becomes $1,615.90.

*Image: Month strip from April to November with a spring clean-up in April, 26 weekly cuts from late April to late October with every second one marked as a bi-weekly cut, and a feeding in November. Where the 26-cut season comes from, with the 13 bi-weekly cuts highlighted*

> **Watch out:** HomeStars also lists a "seasonal package" at $200 to $600 without saying how many visits it includes. A low package price may cover a spring and fall cleanup and a handful of cuts, not a weekly service. Ask for the number of cuts in writing.

Extras add to the total. Aeration, overseeding, feeding, leaf cleanup and hedge trimming are often priced separately, and HomeStars notes that extras like fertilizing or weed control raise the overall cost.

Our [Ontario lawn care calendar](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/ontario-lawn-care-calendar/) shows when each one is done, and the [fall lawn care guide](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/fall-lawn-care-ontario/) covers overseeding and aeration.

## Why do lawn care companies charge what they do?

The rate pays for a crew, a truck and the time between houses, not only the minutes on your lawn. Landscape Ontario's 2022 charge-out rate survey lists grounds management labourers at $55 to $85 an hour and grounds management horticulturists at $60 to $90.

At those rates, one person on a 45-minute visit works out to about $41 to $64 before travel, which lines up with the per-visit ranges above. Keep in mind those are 2022 figures.

That's also why very cheap quotes deserve a second look. A price well under the published ranges can mean something is missing, such as trimming, edging or clearing clippings off the driveway.

Our guide to [what landscaping costs in Markham](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/landscaping-costs-markham/) has the full survey table if you're pricing other yard work too.

## What pushes lawn mowing cost up or down in Markham?

Size comes first, but several things on the property change the number. HomeStars' Markham and Toronto pages name lawn condition, mowing frequency, peak growing periods, and terrain and access. Here's how those show up on a typical GTA property:

- A backyard you can only reach through a narrow side gate, or down steps, takes longer and may need a smaller mower.
- Slopes, trees, garden beds, play sets and fences all mean more trimming by hand.
- An overgrown first cut costs more, because long grass takes longer to get through.
- Bagging clippings can cost extra. Markham doesn't take grass clippings in curbside yard material or garbage, so a company that bags them has to dispose of them, and HomeStars lists disposal fees among the hidden costs to watch for.
- Distance matters too. HomeStars mentions fuel surcharges and travel costs for properties far from the company.

> **Watch out:** Markham's Property Standards By-law caps grass at 15 cm (6 inches). A lawn that has been skipped for a few spring weeks may already be over the limit, and the first cut back will cost more than a regular visit.

## What mistakes cost homeowners money on lawn care?

Most of them come from comparing prices that cover different work:

1. Comparing a "mow only" price with a full-service price that includes trimming and edging.
2. Choosing bi-weekly cuts in spring to save money, then paying in water and repairs after cuts that take off more than a third of the blade.
3. Paying to have clippings bagged when Landscape Ontario and Illinois Extension both say to leave them on the lawn as a source of nitrogen.
4. Forgetting HST when one quote includes it and another doesn't.
5. Signing a seasonal package without asking how many cuts it includes, and what happens in a dry August if the lawn goes dormant and the cuts stop.
6. Leaving bare or dead patches to spread. Fixing a few small spots is a small job; replacing the lawn is not, as the ranges in our guide to [sod installation costs](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/sod-installation-cost/) show.

## When is it worth hiring someone to mow?

Mostly when you're short on time. Mowing isn't hard, and if you have a mower, a trimmer and some free time each week, doing it yourself is the cheapest option.

Hiring it out makes sense if you're away for part of the summer, if the lawn keeps getting ahead of you in May and June, or if you don't want to own and store the equipment.

If you'd like a price for your own lawn, text a couple of photos of the front and back to [(437) 684-2535](sms:+14376842535?&body=Hi%20Hotiv%2C%20I%27d%20like%20a%20quote%20for%20lawn%20mowing.%20Here%20are%20some%20photos%3A) with your street or postal code, or call [(437) 684-2535](tel:+14376842535).

You can read what a visit covers on our [lawn care service page](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/lawn-care/). We'll come by, look at the lawn and give you a free quote.

## Other questions people ask

### How much is lawn service per month in the GTA?

HomeStars' lawn care pages for Toronto and Markham say bundled lawn care often costs $120 to $300 a month. Check what the monthly price covers before you compare. Some plans are mowing only, others add trimming, edging, cleanups or feeding, and a monthly fee may be billed only for the growing months. Ask how many visits a month you get, too.

### How many times a week should you cut your grass?

Once a week is a common schedule, and HomeStars calls weekly mowing the cost-effective option. University of Illinois Extension says to mow as the lawn needs it, which in spring will likely mean more than once a week, and Landscape Ontario says to cut no more than a third of the blade at a time. In a long dry spell, Landscape Ontario says to let a healthy lawn go dormant and stop mowing it.

### How much does a one-time lawn cut cost?

More than a regular visit. HomeStars says a one-time cut on a neglected lawn usually costs $65 to $100 or more, against $25 to $55 for a weekly visit, because long grass takes more time to cut. In Markham it can also be a by-law matter, since the Property Standards By-law caps grass at 15 cm (6 inches).

### Is it cheaper to mow your own lawn?

Usually, if you already own a mower and trimmer and have the time. HomeStars puts weekly mowing at $25 to $55 a visit, so 26 weekly cuts come to roughly $650 to $1,430 before tax. Owning means paying for the mower, fuel or charging, blade sharpening and storage, plus your time every week. You can also ask a company to price only the spring weeks, when the grass grows fastest.

### Does bagging grass clippings cost extra?

Often, yes. Markham doesn't take grass clippings in curbside yard material or garbage, so a company that bags them has to dispose of them somewhere, and HomeStars lists disposal fees among the hidden costs to ask about. Most lawns don't need it. Landscape Ontario and University of Illinois Extension both say to leave clippings on the lawn, where they return nitrogen to the soil.

## Sources

1. [HomeStars: How much does lawn mowing cost? (price guide, updated August 21, 2026)](https://www.homestars.com/gardening-outdoors/price-guides/lawn-mowing-cost)
2. [HomeStars: Lawn care services in Toronto (cost section, checked October 2026)](https://www.homestars.com/gardening-outdoors/lawn-care-pros/toronto)
3. [HomeStars: Lawn care services in Markham (cost section, checked October 2026)](https://www.homestars.com/gardening-outdoors/lawn-care-pros/markham)
4. [Landscape Ontario: 2022 charge out rate survey (April 2022)](https://landscapeontario.com/2022-charge-out-rate-survey)
5. [Landscape Ontario: How to maintain a healthy lawn](https://landscapeontario.com/how-to-maintain-a-healthy-lawn)
6. [University of Illinois Extension: Mowing your lawn](https://extension.illinois.edu/lawns/mowing-your-lawn)
7. [Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center: Mowing lawns](https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/mowing-lawns/)
8. [City of Markham: Property Standards By-law 2017-26](https://www.markham.ca/about-city-markham/city-hall/bylaw/property-standards)
9. [City of Markham: Yard material collection](https://www.markham.ca/neighbourhood-services/recycling-garbage/yard-material)
10. [Canada Revenue Agency: GST/HST calculator (and rates)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/charge-collect-which-rate/calculator.html)
11. [Canada Revenue Agency: When to register for and start charging the GST/HST](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/when-register-charge.html)

## Related guides

- [Ontario lawn maintenance schedule: what to do each month](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/ontario-lawn-care-calendar/)
- [Landscaping costs in Markham: what landscapers charge per hour in Ontario](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/landscaping-costs-markham/)
- [Fall lawn care in Ontario: overseeding, aeration and repair](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/fall-lawn-care-ontario/)
- [Sod installation cost in Ontario: what you pay for, and why quotes vary](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/sod-installation-cost/)