What’s a typical price for lawn mowing in Florida?

For a standard suburban lot, expect $35–$65 per mow, weekly in the growing season and biweekly in winter. Many crews bundle mowing into $150–$450/month packages that include edging, blowing, and light trimming. Gated communities and corner lots trend higher.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Florida?

If a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect states a residential tree poses a danger, Florida law lets you remove it without a local permit. Keep the letter and photos. HOAs can still require approval, and commercial properties often follow local permit rules.

Are Florida landscapers more expensive after storms?

Yes. Post‑storm demand and dump fees push rates higher. Expect $85–$120 per labor hour for cleanup plus debris disposal ($50–$100/ton) and equipment surcharges for chippers or loaders. Ask your vendor about pre‑storm priority lists in long‑term contracts.

How often should my Florida lawn be serviced?

Plan weekly mowing March–October and biweekly or monthly in the coolest months, depending on region and grass type. Hedge and palm trimming typically every 4–8 weeks. Irrigation should be checked each season and after any utility or landscaping work that might break lines.

Are lawn care services in Florida subject to sales tax?

Tax rules can vary by service type and property use. Some maintenance services may be taxable, especially on commercial accounts. Ask your provider and check Florida Department of Revenue guidance for your county. Request tax lines be shown clearly on estimates and invoices.

Landscaper Cost Florida: Real 2026 Prices & Hiring Guide

Florida landscaper costs in plain English

If you live in Florida, landscaping isn’t “set it and forget it.” It's 12 months of mowing, edging, palm frond drama, and irrigation tuning. Here’s what landscapers really cost in Florida in 2026, with local water rules and products we actually use.

What does a landscaper cost in Florida in 2026?

Hourly labor: $50–$90 per worker; storm cleanups often $85–$120/hr with disposal fees.
Basic mowing visit (typical suburban lot): $35–$65 per cut; weekly in growing season.
Monthly maintenance (mow, edge, trim, blow; light beds): $150–$450 for 1/4–1/3 acre; $400–$800 for 1/2 acre+.
Landscape design in Florida: $500–$2,500 flat, or $75–$150/hr for revisions. See Should I Hire a Landscape Designer?.
Project minimums: Many Florida crews have $300–$750 minimums per visit.

Want more on labor math? We break it down in How Much Do Landscapers Charge per Hour.

Florida lawn care maintenance costs (and what drives them)

Grass types: St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bahia, Bermuda. St. Augustine grows fast—more cuts.
Frequency: Weekly March–October, biweekly in cooler months (North FL may slow to monthly in winter).
Add‑ons: Hedge/palm trimming $75–$300/visit; bed weeding $30–$75; fertilizer/weed control $45–$95/application; aeration $100–$250 (see our Lawn Aeration Service Cost).
Pests/disease: Chinch bugs, armyworms, and take‑all root rot add treatment costs.

Florida reality check: Many HOAs require weekly mowing in season. If a quote looks cheap but excludes hedges, beds, or palm fronds, your “$120/mo” becomes $260 fast.

Florida installation costs: sod, palms, irrigation, pavers

Sod installed: $1.25–$2.50/sq ft for St. Augustine; Bahia $0.90–$1.75; Zoysia $1.50–$3.00. Pallets (450–500 sq ft) delivered run $200–$350 before labor.
Irrigation install: 4 zones $2,000–$4,500; 6–8 zones $3,500–$6,500. Repairs: $95–$150 service call + $50–$120/zone tuned.
Palm/tree install: $250–$1,200 per palm depending on size/species; tree pruning $200–$900.
Mulch refresh: $45–$65 per cubic yard installed, or $3.50–$4.50 per 2‑cu‑ft bag + labor.
Paver patio/walk: $14–$24/sq ft; driveways $18–$30/sq ft in South Florida.

We’ve seen Tampa Bay bids vary 20–30% for the same paver spec. Always request base depth, paver thickness, and polymeric sand in writing.

Florida rules, water restrictions, and permits to know

Watering: Days/hours vary by district and county. Check South Florida WMD (https://www.sfwmd.gov/water-conservation), St. Johns River WMD (https://www.sjrwmd.com/water-conservation/), and SWFWMD (https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/water-resources/water-conservation).
Fertilizer blackouts: Many coastal counties ban nitrogen/phosphorus in summer rainy season (e.g., Pinellas, Sarasota, Miami‑Dade). Violations can void warranties.
Tree removal: State law allows removal without local permit if a certified arborist deems a residential tree dangerous—get the letter and photos; HOAs may still require approval.
Licensing/insurance: Ask for occupational license, workers’ comp, and pesticide license for herbicide apps.

By the numbers: Florida averages ~54 inches of rain annually (NOAA normals) and outdoor irrigation can be up to 50% of household use; smart controllers can cut that 20–30% (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/; https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/).

Who to hire in Florida + how to compare bids

Reputable Florida names to price‑check (examples, not endorsements): BrightView (statewide), Juniper Landscaping (Fort Myers/Naples/Tampa/Orlando), Landcrafters Florida (St. Petersburg), and Green by Nature Florida (Orlando/Tampa). Get at least two bids.

What to ask for:

Itemized materials vs labor, mowing schedule, bed/hedge frequency, disposal fees, storm rates.
Irrigation: number of zones, head types, backflow, controller model, warranty.
Proof of insurance and licenses.

Use our checklists: What to Look For in Landscaping Near Me and 14 Key Questions to Ask a Landscaper Before Hiring.

DIY vs pro in Florida: products we actually use

Rachio 3 Smart Controller (Florida‑friendly): $179–$249; saves water during summer storms.
Rain Bird 5000 rotor heads: $9–$12 each; durable in sandy soils.
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food: $26–$38 per bag (covers ~10–14k sq ft). Respect local blackout dates.
Echo SRM‑225 trimmer: ~$229; reliable for weekly edging.
Cypress or pine bark mulch: $3.50–$4.50 per 2‑cu‑ft bag at Florida big‑box stores.

Not sure if you need a full landscaper or just lawn service? Start here: Landscaper vs Lawn Care Service: What’s the Difference?. For recurring costs, see Monthly Lawn Care Cost.