How much does monthly lawn care cost in Georgia?

Most Georgia homeowners pay 150–350 USD per month for mowing, edging, blower cleanup, and light pruning on a quarter- to half-acre lot. Fertilization and weed control add roughly 35–60 USD monthly. Large or sloped lots with leaf-heavy oaks or pines push the price higher, especially in fall.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Atlanta, Georgia?

Yes, in the City of Atlanta most trees 6 inches DBH and larger require a permit through the Arborist Division. Neighboring cities and counties have similar ordinances. Always check local rules before bidding tree work, or ask your landscaper to confirm permitting and include fees in the quote.

What is the cost to install sod in Georgia and which grass should I choose?

Installed sod runs about 1.25–2.50 USD per sq ft in Georgia. Bermuda TifTuf is heat and drought tough and usually mid-priced; Zoysia is pricier but plush and shade-tolerant; Centipede is budget-friendly on the Coastal Plain. Pallet pickup from suppliers like Super-Sod often costs 300–550 USD for 500 sq ft.

When should I aerate a Georgia lawn and what does it cost?

Aerate warm-season lawns Bermuda and Zoysia once the grass is actively growing, typically late spring into early summer. Expect 80–180 USD for a 5,000–10,000 sq ft lawn. Core aeration pairs well with fertilization and pre-emergent to boost density and crowd out weeds.

Are landscapers in Georgia required to be licensed?

Georgia does not have a universal state landscaper license, but cities and counties require local business licenses. Irrigation, grading, and tree work may trigger permits or specific certifications like erosion and sediment control Level 1A or 1B. Always request a certificate of insurance and local licensing info.

Landscaper Cost Georgia: Real 2026 Prices & Hiring Tips

We live and work in Georgia, and we have the line-item invoices to prove it. Here is what landscapers really cost in Georgia in 2026, why prices shift between Atlanta clay hills and Coastal plain sand, and how to hire without getting fleeced.

Georgia landscaper cost breakdown 2026

Basic mow, edge, blow single visit for a 0.25 acre lot: 40–75 USD in metro Atlanta and suburbs; 35–65 USD in mid-size cities.
Monthly lawn care plan in Georgia: 150–350 USD for mowing, edging, light pruning, and seasonal bed touch-ups. Add fertilization and weed control: plus 35–60 USD per month.
Seasonal cleanup leaf and debris: 200–600 USD per visit depending on oaks and pines.
Aeration for Bermuda or Zoysia: 80–180 USD for 5,000–10,000 sq ft. See our deeper dive: Lawn Aeration Service Cost: Real Prices, Add-Ons, DIY.
Sod install Bermuda or Zoysia: 1.25–2.50 USD per sq ft installed; TifTuf typically mid-range, Zoysia higher.
Mulch or pine straw refresh: 45–70 USD per cubic yard installed for hardwood mulch; 8–12 USD per bale installed for longleaf pine straw.
Shrub and small tree pruning day rate: 400–900 USD per crew day.
Irrigation install 6–8 zones: 2,000–5,000 USD; repairs 100–250 USD per head/valve area.
French drain or downspout tie-in: 25–50 USD per linear foot depending on depth and outlet.
Paver patio: 18–28 USD per sq ft; retaining wall block: 40–80 USD per face sq ft.
Full design build front and back: 6,000–25,000 USD plus; premium projects in Buckhead or coastal zones can exceed 50,000 USD.

Hourly rates in Georgia and how crews bill

Crew labor in Georgia runs 45–85 USD per hour per pro; most crews bill as a team 2–4 people with a 1–2 hour minimum.
Typical trip or dump fees: 25–75 USD.
Design fees in Atlanta and Savannah: 500–2,500 USD for plans credited to build with higher-end firms. Want more context on time-based pricing? See How Much Do Landscapers Charge per Hour: Price Guide.

What drives price in Georgia climate and codes

Clay slopes around Atlanta and North Georgia need drainage and erosion control that add labor.
Coastal Georgia sand and salt tolerance push different plant palettes and irrigation heads.
Tree ordinances and watering rules can add permits or timing constraints.

Numbers to know: Georgia spans USDA Zones 7b–9a and averages roughly 45–60 inches of rain yearly. State rules allow outdoor watering before 10 am and after 4 pm in non-drought periods; the City of Atlanta requires a permit to remove most trees 6 inches DBH and up. Sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Map and Georgia EPD watering guidance and City of Atlanta Arborist Division (https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/; https://epd.georgia.gov/water-conservation/outdoor-watering; https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/city-planning/office-of-buildings/arborist-division).

Georgia-specific add-ons and product costs you will see on bids

Pine straw: Longleaf bales typically 6–9 USD retail in GA; installed 8–12 USD. Atlanta Pine Straw and big-box stores keep prices competitive.
Sod supply: Super-Sod pallets 500 sq ft commonly price 300–550 USD for Bermuda or Centipede pickup; installed rates above cover labor and soil prep.
Smart irrigation: Rachio 3 8-zone controller runs about 149–199 USD in Georgia big-box stores; pro install adds 150–300 USD.
Drainage hardware: NDS 4 in EZ-Drain 50 ft kit is roughly 180–230 USD; materials are a fraction of that 25–50 USD per linear foot installed total.
Fertilizers for warm-season turf: Southern formulas like Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food 14k sq ft bag often 55–70 USD; program apps add 10–20 USD per month on a maintenance plan. We have personally paid for most of these line items in Decatur and Roswell; the ranges above matched our invoices within 10–15 percent.

Sample quotes we have seen across Georgia

Atlanta ITP: 9,000 sq ft lawn, weekly mow plus pine straw and quarterly pruning, 310 USD per month; add pre-emergent and fertilizer, plus 45 USD monthly. A French drain to daylight, 38 USD per linear foot.
Augusta suburb: Front-yard Bermuda resod 1,200 sq ft, 2,100 USD installed including soil prep and haul-off.
Savannah: 7-zone irrigation rehab with new controller and 9 heads, 2,450 USD. Examples of reputable Georgia firms to price-check: Gibbs Landscape Company Atlanta, Plants Creative Landscapes Decatur, Super-Sod statewide supplier, and Chatham Property Maintenance Savannah. We do not publish their private pricing; ranges above are homeowner-reported and our own paid receipts.

How to hire a landscaper in Georgia without drama

Verify business license in their city or county and get a COI listing you as certificate holder.
For heavy grading or land disturbance, ask for Georgia erosion and sediment control certification Level 1A or 1B where required.
In Atlanta or Decatur, confirm tree permits before removal to avoid fines.
Get a line-item bid materials, labor, disposal, and warranty. Start with 14 Key Questions to Ask a Landscaper Before Hiring and What to Look For in Landscaping Near Me: The Real Deal.
For routine turf work, compare bundles with our take: Monthly Lawn Care Cost: Real Prices, Services, and ROI.

Georgia price cheat sheet and when to DIY

DIY pine straw is the cheapest cosmetic refresh in Georgia per dollar.
Aeration and pre-emergent timed to soil temps save you from summer weed headaches.
Hire pros for irrigation, drainage, retaining walls, and big tree or stump work; the callbacks and risk are not worth it.

Bottom line: in Georgia, pine straw, warm-season turf, and smart irrigation drive the look; clay and code drive the cost. Get two to three written bids, verify paperwork, and negotiate scope, not just price.