What is a lawn care contract?
A lawn care contract is an agreement for regular lawn service over a season. It lists the services, how often you do them, what each visit costs, and how the customer pays. It also covers the things that cause arguments: rain days, skipped visits, damage and cancelling.
How to write a lawn care contract
- List each service and how often. Mowing weekly, fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks, spring and fall cleanups once.
- Price each service per visit. Even on a flat monthly fee, per-visit prices set the rate for extra visits.
- Set the season. A start and end date, so both sides know when service stops.
- Choose how you bill. Per visit, billed monthly, or a flat monthly fee spread over the season.
- Cover weather and skipped visits. Say whether rain days are rescheduled or skipped, and how much notice the customer gives to skip.
- Cover damage. Ask the customer to mark sprinkler heads and hidden objects, and to report damage quickly.
- Set how it ends. Notice days to cancel, and whether it renews next season.
Per visit or flat monthly billing
| Billing | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Per visit | Customers who want to pay only for what's done. | Income drops in dry spells when you mow less. |
| Flat monthly | Steady income, easy budgeting for the customer. | Set the number of payments so the season is covered, and say what's included. |
For a flat monthly fee, add up the visits you expect for the season, multiply by your per-visit price, and divide by the number of payments.
Lawn care contract template terms
This lawn care contract template includes plain-English terms for:
- Late payments and pausing service
- Weather, slow growth and skipped visits
- Locked gates, pets and other access problems
- Hidden objects and damage reporting
- Insurance
- Ending the contract, and auto-renewal for next season
If you add auto-renewal, check your state's rules. Some states require you to remind customers before a contract renews.
Commercial and HOA lawn care contracts
The same template works for commercial properties and HOAs. Add each area as its own service row, such as common areas, entrances and retention ponds. Larger clients may ask for a certificate of insurance and may want their own contract terms.
Pricing the work first
Price the job before you write the contract. Our landscaping estimate template helps you work out a per-visit price and send it as a quote.
Questions
What should a lawn care contract include?
The services and how often, the price per visit or month, the season dates, payment terms, what happens on rain days, damage reporting, how to cancel, and signatures.
How do I write a simple lawn care contract?
Fill in the form above with your services, prices and season. The contract terms are written for you. Download it as PDF or Word, or print it.
Should a lawn care contract auto-renew?
It can save you re-signing customers each spring. Give a clear opt-out window, and check your state's rules, since some states require a reminder before a contract renews.
Can I charge for a visit I couldn't do because the gate was locked?
Only if the contract says so. This template counts the visit as done if you can't get in because of a locked gate, pets or a car in the way.