How Much Does Hedge Trimming Cost?

Hedge trimming is highly recommended if you want to keep your front yard or lawn looking neat and organized. In this article, we have listed the breakdown of the costs of hedge trimming, according to different factors.

Cost of Hedge Trimming by Time

As mentioned earlier, you should expect to pay an average USD 63 per hour for professional hedge trimming, with the low-end range around USD 48 per hour and the high-end range being at USD 79 per hour.

Professional landscaping companies usually charge by the hour for a hedge trimming task, which is unlike shrub trimming. As it is not possible to count the number of bushes in a hedge, landscapers usually charge by the time is takes to complete the trimming. 

Factors that affect Cost of Hedge Trimming 

There are several factors that influence the final cost of hedge trimming by professional landscapers. 

Municipal Pickup vs. Landfill Fees

Debris removal fee is usually dependent on the amount of debris that needs to be removed after hedge trimming. The cost of removing debris after hedge trimming is around USD 25 to USD 55 per job. 

On the other hand, if you have a city pickup or regular track pickup for dumping yard debris then it saves you on this cost. 

Difficulty level

If the hedges are not easy to access and reach, such as being near power lines or too near a building or structure, this increases the overall cost of hedge trimming as the crew will need to work longer hours for such a task. 

Height

Similar to bush trimming, professional landscapers also determine the overall cost of hedge trimming according to their height. Often, professional landscapers can reach around 6 feet without any aid and use a ladder to reach heights of 10 to 15 feet. For hedges that are over 15 feet in height, it is highly advised to hire arbor experts. 

The reason behind this is that as the height of the hedge increases, the crew has to work on a larger surface area and this increases the overall time taken to complete the hedge trimming project. 

Additional Services

Vehicle usage and trip costs are significant contributors to the total cost of professional hedge trimming services. When you hire landscaping experts for hedge trimming, you can ask them to finish some regular tasks too.

Lawn Mowing

The average cost of lawn mowing in the United States is around USD 25 to USD 80 for once a week. The size of the lawn and the time it takes for the crew to finish the job determines the specific cost of lawn mowing services. 

Bush Trimming

Professional landscapers charge around USD 4, USD 6, USD 10 or USD 16 for small, medium, large and extra-large bushes, respectively. 

Bushes are essential components of any landscape. If you see free-standing bushes along with the hedge, you should ask the professional landscapers to take care of the bush too.

Planting Flowers

Landscaping installation costs vary between USD 4 and USD 14 per square feet on average, with flower planting charges being at the lower end of the price range. When you hire professional landscapers to trim the hedges, why not take advantage of their gardening expertise and let the professionals plant some vibrant colorful flowers at the same time? 

DIY Hedge Trimming Costs

Short-sized hedges can be easily trimmed as a DIY project. Here are expert tips on how to trim hedges on your own:

Hedge Trimming Equipment

The first thing you need to trim hedges on your own is a hedge trimmer. The top quality hedge trimmers in the market costs an average USD 123, with the low-end models priced at around USD 33 and high-end models priced at around USD 320 or more. 

On the other hand, you can also rent hedge trimmers from your local hardware store, by the hour, day, week or month. On average, a 4-hour rental for hedge trimmers starts at around USD 30. 

If you like to hand prune, then it is feasible to buy a small-sized hedge trimmer for the long run.

Steps to Hedge Trimming

1. Buy or rent a hedge trimmer and tarp
2. Lay down the tarp at the bottom of the hedges that need trimming 
3. Start trimming the hedges from the top and make sure to keep the hedge trimmer level
4. Begin by trimming the edges and sides and make sure that the hedge is wider at the base
5. Once you finish trimming, carefully roll the tarp, bag the hedge clippings and dispose them

Hedge Trimming Costs – DIY vs. Professional

If you choose to trim hedges in your front yard or lawn as a DIY project, then you may have to buy a hedge trimmer which can cost anywhere between USD 33 to USD 320, with rent rates starting at around USD 30 for a four-hour rental. On the other hand, the hourly rate for professional hedge trimming is around USD 63. 

Cost of Hedge Trimming by Location

The overall cost of hedge trimming also depends on the location as this cost varied by region. In general, you should expect to pay more in densely populated areas, than in rural and suburban areas. 

Conclusion

The typical cost of hedge trimming by professional landscapers is around USD 48 to USD 79 per hour, with the average rate at USD 63 per hour. It is highly advised to hire professional landscapers, such as Eden, for hedge trimming, especially if you have a tall hedge surround the property. Hiring professionals makes the task more affordable and convenient too.