Commercial vs residential lawn care contracts
By My Yard Editorial Team · 7/28/2026
The Quick Answer
Residential contracts are typically $40–$80 per visit; commercial properties are bid per season and often land at $5,000–$30,000+ per year with tighter service windows.
The Witty Breakdown
The real difference is liability and scheduling. Commercial work demands certificates of insurance, before-hours service, and documented safety compliance.
For pros, commercial is steadier money but thinner margins. For homeowners reading this: yes, that's why your guy disappears on Tuesdays.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Get the full scope in writing: cuts, edging, mulch, cleanups, and fertilizer rounds.
- 2
Confirm what happens in a drought — do you still pay for weekly visits?
- 3
Ask for their COI naming you as certificate holder for commercial work.
- 4
Lock in a per-visit cap so 'extras' don't balloon.
Pro-Tip / Do Not Do This
Don't sign a season-long auto-renew without a 30-day out clause. Service quality changes when crews change.
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