How Much Does Leaf Removal Cost In North Carolina?

If you’re staring at a blanket of leaves and wondering how much leaf removal would cost to avoid tackling the job yourself, you’re not alone. Our North Carolina lawn care professionals at Martinez Brother NC Landscaping provide efficient leaf collection services throughout Durham, Cary, Raleigh, and the surrounding areas of the Triangle.

You may be wondering, how much does leaf removal cost? Join us as we explore what influences leaf removal pricing in your area—so you can choose the approach that fits your budget.

Factors Affecting Leaf Removal Costs

Leaf removal service costs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Your overall cost reflects the scope of cleanup, your property’s conditions, and the service approach you choose. Below, we outline the main drivers so you can plan confidently and compare options.

Yard Size and Property Layout

The bigger the lawn size (measured in square foot or acres), the more time and labor. Larger properties and complex layouts (fences, slopes, tight gates) can require increased labor, which can raise the overall cost.

Tree Density and Leaf Volume

Tree density matters. Many trees produce a thick layer of fallen leaves that takes longer to move, bag, or mulch. Fewer trees often mean a faster cleanup and a lower leaf removal cost that saves money.

Leaf Condition and Timing

Wet leaves (after heavy rain or when there’s too much moisture) are heavy and harder to collect, which increases labor costs. Booking early in the fall season (or scheduling regular lawn maintenance) prevents buildup that can drive service costs higher.

Leaf Removal Method

Your preferred method—using a leaf blower, leaf vacuuming, leaf raking, or turning debris into leaf mulch—affects time on site and disposal needs. Vacuum trucks move volume fast; raking is slower but precise. Blowers are efficient for collecting leaves into rows; mulching reduces hauling but isn’t right for every lawn.

Bagging, Hauling, and Disposal Fees

Some towns offer free curbside leaf pickup curbside on set days; others require paid bags or permits. If your cleanup includes hauling, landfill or compost disposal fees may appear as an additional cost in your pricing breakdown.

Add-On Seasonal Tasks

Add-ons like gutter cleaning, lawn aeration, and fertilization can improve lawn health and soil health but will make the total cost rise. Ask for cost estimates that separate additional services from leaf work so you can compare prices clearly.

How Professionals Price Leaf Removal Services

How much does leaf removal cost? Professional leaf removal services structure pricing around the scope of work, site conditions, and expected effort. Providers choose a model that reflects time, equipment, and disposal needs, so two similar-looking jobs can be quoted differently.

Flat Rate by Size or Volume

Many teams quote a flat fee based on property size (¼ acre, half an acre, 1 acre) and the estimated leaf volume. This is common during fall cleanup when demand is high.

Per Hour

Some crews bill per hour. This model is transparent and can be fair for uncertain conditions (steep slopes, heavy windrows), but the overall cost can change if the job needs increased labor. Ask for a crew size and time window.

Per Square Foot or Per Acre

A precise approach for larger lots. Per-acre pricing is popular when many trees cover a big yard; per-square foot metrics show up on smaller properties or HOA common areas.

Per Bag, Cubic Yard, or Linear Foot

Occasionally you’ll see rates by cubic yard (vacuuming/bulk removal) or per bag for neighborhoods with strict bag-and-curb rules. Linear foot pricing may appear for gutter-line leaf clearing.

Typical Pricing for Leaf Removal Projects

How much does leaf removal cost in your area? When looking at the cost of leaf removal in your area for different property types, the national averages of prices vary. The cost breakdown can be based around several factors for leaf cleanup. Here are some of the price ranging estimates for different scenarios:

National average leaf removal cost

How much does leaf removal cost as a national average? Around $350–$380 for a standard fall cleanup, with a “typical” range roughly $190–$600, depending on property conditions and the leaf removal method chosen.

By property size

How much does leaf removal cost by property size? Many sources show $400–$850 per acre, with smaller yards coming in lower and larger properties costing more.

Broader ranges you may see

Some services charge anywhere between $150–$600 nationally, primarily driven by yard size, tree density, and disposal fees.

Small to mid-size NC yards

How much does leaf removal cost for small to mid-sized yards? Expect something near the national average cost—roughly $200–$400 for a typical cleanup, depending on removal method, tree density, and whether hauling is included.

While it can be frustrating to not get an easy answer from contractors about leaf removal prices, its important to remember costs vary because no two fall cleanup jobs are identical. The yard size, number of deciduous trees, leaf volume, and removal method all influence the total cost. It's best to set up a free consultation with a trusted Durham leaf removal company for an accurate price quote suited to your yard.

DIY Leaf Removal vs. Professional Services

If you’re comfortable with physical effort and have the physical ability for repeated lifting and raking, DIY leaf removal is cost-effective. You’ll choose the leaf removal method, whether raking, leaf blowing, or mower mulching, and set the job to your own pace.

Rake and fall leaves. Image goes with blog answering "How much does leaf removal cost in NC?"

While it can be rewarding to get the job done yourself, there can be drawbacks. Heavy, wet, or thick layers of leaves turn time-consuming quickly. Bagging and hauling introduce logistics and leaf removal expenses (bags, fuel, dump fees, etc.). Large lots or lots with many trees often benefit from a professional leaf removal crew with vacuum equipment.

When to Choose Professional Leaf Removal Services

A professional leaf removal company brings a crew, commercial blowers, vacuums, and trucks. Jobs finish faster, and debris is handled properly. This is especially helpful on larger properties, after storms, situations where the volume of leaves is overwhelming, time is tight, or the job feels beyond your physical ability.

Fast, thorough cleanup with commercial blowers, vacuums, and hauling
Clear scope and predictable scheduling during peak fall season
Safe handling of heavy, wet piles that demand increased labor
Proper disposal (no surprise disposal fees or extra trips)
Better results on larger properties or yards with many trees
Protects turf and soil health by preventing smothering and mold buildup

Raking dead leaves. Image goes with blog answering "How much does leaf removal cost in NC?"

Schedule Your North Carolina Leaf Removal Service Today

Whether you want a one-time cleanup or an ongoing plan, we’ll tailor our leaf removal job to your yard size, tree density, and schedule. Contact Martinez Brother NC Landscaping today for a FREE quote and transparent pricing for seasonal lawn care in Durham and the surrounding areas.

Make this fall simple, clean, and healthy for your lawn. Fill out the contact form below to get started.

The Average Cost of Leaf Removal in North Carolina

Table of Contents