How Much Should Landscapers Charge To Install Mulch in 2024?

How Much Should Landscapers Charge To Install Mulch in 2024? Mulch prices and professional landscaping Mulch installation prices also includes pickup, delivery, and installation. This doesn't include edging out the garden beds along pulling weeds or trimming bushes & trees.
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[@Slowmowlawnandhome]

This is priceless. I was proud of myself when I hit $100/yard but every time I'm done I kick myself for still doing too much free prep and then finding that I didn't inform the customer or really spend enough time myself on the amount of work so I timidly add on $50-$100 and still feel like a chump and then have to take the next day off with a sore back because hour 4 in the sun I decided I would get my dignity back by working extra fast so I can think of it as being more profitable and then play a few more of my money/time mind games to ensure that my brain is also shot as I mope around like a baby all day having a mini identity crisis every time I hear or see any type of service provider on my block. $150 solves it all!

[@tylerk.7947]

Hahah this is so relatable

[@keith-kalfas]

Hahaha! I love your story bro. Everything you just said is totally relatable. We've all been through this 99 times.

[@keith-kalfas]

Lemme know if $150 works in your town. Keep me posted.

[@toddpierce242]

I am still doing $100 a yard and then charging labor hours on top for prep but I am gonna aim for $150 a yard come Summer instead of the $100 a yard and labor hours on top

[@justp1009]

Alot of times I find that we charge for a spring clean up service, which includes weeding cleaning etc and then do the mulch job for 100 per hour a week or two later. That helps to make sure ur properly compensated! In michigan

[@upscaledyards]

You and Mike Andes are the reasons we charge high prices and are on route to becoming highly successful as we already are. Thanks for taking the time to make this video

[@keith-kalfas]

BOOM! 💥

[@Getchamindrite]

❤yes keep them coming. I need all the knowledge I can get . This really helped. It is helping me build the confidence to try more and more . I had always got nervous for giving high prices because I feel the costumers would just go with a bigger company. But I'm paying attention. Thanks 🙏❤️👍

[@chriss32]

Thanks for telling us your mistakes. It's a big help.

[@keith-kalfas]

For sure. Thanks Chris.

[@ericavenarius5370]

I always charge $50 more than you do. Every year you raise it so I do too!! thnx Keith

[@brandonrickbornponyexpress6574]

But what happens when it's too much and nobody can afford it?

[@keith-kalfas]

Haha that's awesome. Bro. What city and state are you in?

[@ericavenarius5370]

@@keith-kalfas dubuque iowa

[@ericavenarius5370]

@@brandonrickbornponyexpress6574 Then I guess they dont get it done.

[@jamiegarcia6559]

great stuff! business owners struggle with pricing so this is perfect

[@salvadorgarcia5716]

I charge $130 a yard in Chicagoland area

[@EdwardClydeCapen]

Thanks Keith good stuff brother.

[@TheVanillagorilla12]

I always use what they call triple-A hardwood fines near me and it takes years to build up to where it needs to be removed

[@Kushert]

I charge $160 dawg....people are out here working for peanuts. My clients have multiple homes and own beach houses. They aren't cheapskates and pay for quality.

[@keith-kalfas]

Yes haha! $160 💪 🤑

[@codynickel9650]

I'm at $10 a bag of 2cubic ft so it's about $130. But I over estimate a bit so I always have extra so bags are easier to store for future jobs. Plus I charge a bit for bed prep since most already have mulch over stacked in the bed that needs to be removed

[@chrisdymyd2669]

Thank you Father Kalfas!

[@hobbyguy79]

Great information here Keith, massive appreciation! So bulk material costs are going to vary product to product and from area to area. You're at $30 ish / yard bulk and $150 installed. So are you doing a 5x multiple of the bulk price or a flat $150 regardless of the bulk price? My local supplier in Calgary, Alberta 🇨🇦 has Montane @ $50 / yard and Western Red Cedar @ $56 / yard bulk. Just trying to figure out $250 / yard installed sounds like a lot, but also haven't looked around for competitor pricing yet either.

[@keith-kalfas]

Flat $150 free installed. Thanks bro

[@famfirst6660]

We get 1 yard of mulch fills up the whole pickup truck bed we charge $100 per yard

[@keith-kalfas]

Very nice!

[@Metalbladelawncare]

You da man Kelfas. Greetings from the GR area in MI.

[@keith-kalfas]

Appreciate that

[@beyondjoker8558]

How much of a discount would u do for a job that does 70 yards of mulch and another that does 30 yards of mulch using your original $150 a yard up to 10 yards scale?

[@brockreynolds870]

I was at 100$ 5 years ago, then went to 120. I think it's time to go to 150$. I don't use shredded mulch, I use premium dyed chipped mulch, it has a prettier, more even texture.

[@mixarcastillo6744]

Here in Dallas Ga, there are people that are charming $65 per yard. Unfortunately we cannot change $150 per yard. 🤔

[@keith-kalfas]

Hmm? How much do you pay per yard?

[@jrg2013]

@@keith-kalfasalso here in Ga, bulk pricing is $22 have to buy a min of 5. Big companies buy it for $15 but they install thousands of yards per year, they get subbed out by brightview,Gibbs, etc

[@mixarcastillo6744]

@@keith-kalfas $36 per yard.

[@ericdelude722]

Thanks for the video Keith!

[@AdvantageLandscapeBackup]

Good informative video my friend !!

[@almo3250]

Nice! Does this include landscape fabric as well minus cost of fabric?

[@keith-kalfas]

No

[@hoangtran2292]

Here in edmonton, its about $100/ yard. So how much would u charge to pickup, install.

[@DatCityBoy504]

Ok man, I see you're ALWAYS hustling for you and the family. But where do you find the time to play/family time? I know you're a busy guy, what's your work schedule looking like?

[@jacksonb9588]

How are you landing mulch jobs. I haven’t got a ton and want to expand more into those services

[@yardtransformations]

We charge $1.75/sq ft for dyed mulch. Red is double

[@KevinPerez-wu1rg]

Thank you so much for your information

[@brandonedwards1408]

@keith, are you not getting backlash from the commercial sites or PMG for that price? Submitted a bid for a property, and they laughed, saying we usually get it at 65. Give us your best price. I gave them my price that was firm.

[@keith-kalfas]

$65? Geez. I could see that yes, if you were installing like 100yds as part of a larger bid for a commerical property or HOA. and you had guys on motorized buggies zipping around Dumping while other guys were spreading. (High speed production) But for smaller jobs. Anything under $125 per yard is impossible anymore. But no. I haven't gotten any backlash. We are in Macomb Michigan and do 99% residential.

[@drakewesterman9798]

Big companies have mulch blowers where they can put down 50 yards a day With a couple guys. Or they have cheap labor.

[@GangGr33nanarchist]

We charge $150 for mulch only, we charge labor separately.

[@joshnunes101]

​@@GangGr33nanarchist same here in Rhode Island

[@brandonedwards1408]

@keith-kalfas yeah, I get it, I'm in SC Columbia area residential. We have no issues typically. This guy is a PMG out of Florida, which was going to be 32 yards. This was back in December. And I would have had 3 plus my kubota zipping around.

[@danieljakab219]

That is not a realistic price for mulch. I think you could get away with charging that for a job under 5 yards possibly. I think 110-125 depending on the yardage installed is more in line with current pricing. This also depends on who you are sourcing your mulch from. Just my opinion and I don't undercharge for services. $90 per yard would be my lowest price and that is a huge volume discount, were talking 150 yards.

[@bearclaw5115]

What job demands 150yds of mulch?

[@keith-kalfas]

Yessir. I did 150 yards of Mulch once bro. It took 9 guys with a skid loader and 2 cement buggies running loads to groups of 3 garden beds simultaneously with 3 sets of 2 guys spreading the entire time. We moved like a freight train. But we did 2 whole days of prep work first.

[@richscott2952]

I thought red mulch was only for Mc Donald’s

[@Hilfiger187]

$140 upstate ny

[@Turfscaper]

$350 per yard. California

[@xbebe]

Enough to survive

[@schopscapelawncare9763]

We lay it down thin… no need for 2in in my opinion. Saves the customer money and saves us on material cost. Weeds are gonna grow in the mulch no matter what. Let me know what you guys think. -Conor

[@trustedlawnlandscape7142]

Plus the beds over over flowing with mulch the following spring when you come back again, you on spot on with my thinking man !

[@bearclaw5115]

Agreed. 2"+ not needed or desirable. 1.5" is great.

[@johnsierra5784]

Dude you’re getting old lol

[@keith-kalfas]

Pretty soon I'll have a long beard and a walker. Then I'll be dead. And guess what. You won't come to my funeral AND you won't care either. And guess what. Neither will I. But mark my words young brother. Remember what you've said. Because one day you will "get old" too. And a young man will say to you. "Man you're getting old". Then you will remember and know. But by then you will have more wisdom.

[@danburton1109]

Glad I found your channel, I just started solo and you've really been helping me 🤙🏻

[@Michael-nr2wz]

Same here, Keith's the man

[@PepperGuru]

I finally got up to the right number for us too! Only 5 bucks shy of your number. In an area less upscale than yours. When do you begin cutting bulk order breaks on each scoop? Any order above 10 yards spread maybe?

[@dougcooper5740]

I can't begin to explain what your videos mean to me. This January after a cross country move my dream of starting my own business will be realized. Its exciting and scary, but you and Brian Fulton ease the worry and I watch all your videos over and over. I have note books full of your knowledge...thank you!

[@KOG-KingOfGreen]

One of the best mulch , if not the best install breakdowns I’ve seen on KZbin so far!

[@keith-kalfas]

Bro this means a lot to me thank you. Seriously.

[@KOG-KingOfGreen]

No problem bro! Thank you for blessing us with the knowledge!

[@robertslawnservices4317]

Im from Kalkaska, Michigan. I got my first Mulch job i'm charging $130 a yard It's just 2 yd. I also picked up a Spring clean up with it.

[@love_kiwee]

yay congrats!!!!!

[@jackmasters9953]

Always over buy when laying mulch!!! Nothing worse than running short and having to go buy more. It’s super easy to get rid of excess on the job site or take the extra home and use it yourself 😃😃. Love it when customers pay for my mulch!!!! Good job K!!! Already swamped in Battle Creek 😃😃$$$$$$

[@Rick-k7m]

I'm just now starting. I KNOW 80 a yard wasn't enough. I can easily do a yard an hour by myself, getting up and down from the bed of my truck, loading a single 5.5cuft barrow, and dumping spreading...but that's JUST that. I looked at the beds at this current job and said "easy, just blow those out"...I refuse to do a half ass job so I spent 3 hours hand trimming all the bushes, pulling out caked in leaves from the middle of the plants...just on that one section. Overall spent an extra 5 hours doing real prep work. Now I know

[@keith-kalfas]

Yeaaaa haha you got this!

[@larrysherk3590]

As a starter, I had 35yds blown. Done in 4hrs no clean up $180/yd.

[@Lula-0314]

Excuse sir!! If I do a side job without a business license or insurance, is it good to get charge like those who have it or not? I charge$ 90 per yard and I think it is cheap. I don’t know what do you think??

[@StrautmanGardeningPros]

I charge 150-200 plus at least 4 hours of labor. California is no joke, laborers are $25-$30/hr plus. we also have higher taxes and are required to pay into workers comp. No way we could be this cheap and still pay rent.

[@ChevyShawty]

I’ve been charging $125 for some time now it may be time to up it to $150 it’s a NEED YEAR 🤷🏽‍♂️ Let’s Go!!

[@southernoutdoors501]

Do one on rock beds and how to quote customers that want decorative rock instead of mulch

[@drewstrongitharm9680]

Mulch up here is $68 / yard. I Havnt done a lot of mulch jobs. Basically because I feel like I’m making no money with it. Make more cutting lawns. So should I be charging $190-$200 per yard delivered and installed?

[@josevillanueva9705]

Keith Brotha what's up, it's always a good day when im chilling and eating and learning and watching

[@keith-kalfas]

What's up Jose!

[@historiaselectrizantes2247]

I charged a customer 50 dollars a yard installed for 8 yards being installed and they’re hesitating and thinking about it for now. That’s the very low end of charging so why is he hesitating? Anyone know ? Thanks

[@matthewsiahaan1312]

Only psychopaths get red mulch

[@ryand5323]

Chicago suburbs, average install rate around $70. Install around 4,000 yds a year.

[@Tcw2019]

I have always been very good about changing for mulch, I have always been TERRIBLE at charging for bed prep. I just go ohh I’ll throw in the edging and end up killing myself for half a day doing it. It also comes down to my reputation and ocd about how it looks when someone doesn’t do it.

[@keith-kalfas]

Haha same Here bro.

[@valencialandscaping]

Keith what about price for installing mulch but also clean the flowerbed,install weedfabric and than the new mulch,my work is all residential.

[@eastendmafia1773]

150 per yard works but every mulch job is different. None are the same. 3 things go into a quote and nothing else. Materials, overhead, and profit. That should give you an hourly rate that is without a doubt profitable, and then apply it to the job. A lot of plants? uphill? restricted access? Me making more money on mrs suzies yard because it is easier than mrs johnsons is morally and ehtically wrong. Everyone pays the same hourly rate and it is profitable. IDK if its profitable by simply adding a few extra dollars per yard but i KNOW im profitble at my hourly rate. And its high.

[@keith-kalfas]

This is brilliant what you're saying because you've created a system around how you charge to insure predictable profit every single time.

[@jcgalmiche8352]

The parking spot size comparison was gold!

[@JorgeHernandez-de7dp]

I started at $70 per yard in 2012, now we are at $130 2024. North of Houston texas

[@jamesa2756]

I live in Lake Fenton Michigan and I am upping my prices for mulch. So I have paid for your courses over the years and I enjoy watching your videos. But do you have any videos on removal of rocks in a flower bed and put mulch down as far as pricing and the fabric per yard to put down to keep weeds coming up before the mulch goes down?

[@keith-kalfas]

Yes haha. That's a great video idea bro. Thank you. I keed to make a video about it.

[@joshnunes101]

👑 Bro Such a Solid Vid 👑

[@CaptainNelson230]

I'm curious what you do for the different types of mulch which cost more per yard? Is $150 your base per yard and then if a customer wants a more expensive mulch that additional cost is added to the $150? If that makes sense. Love the video!

[@logdon17]

Unlike mowing grass, mulch installs can bring premium money. Anyone can walk behind a mower for half hour and cut their lawn. Installing mulch is back breaking work just to install it not to mention the need for a truck to get it to the property. I spent most of the day today installing bagged mulch from Home Depot at my house, my back and hips are not doing well. Make sure you charge enough to make it worth the pain.

[@billhull6842]

To the GREAT Keith Kalfas. I have heard about this, but I have never used it. What about the mulch glue that you can spray on top of the mulch to prevent the mulch from blowing away? I was also thinking about Daniel and the 2" rule. lol You should tag Daniel's video on the 2" rule. I will tell you more later.

[@bearclaw5115]

Unnecessary. It kinda cements itself together pretty quick.

[@roycordova2516]

In California, we got to charge $175 a yard to make any money

[@Ajkendallmindsetmentor]

We do $105/yd plus delivery

[@keith-kalfas]

Super awesome. 👌 AJ!

[@IllegalAlien-h1g]

Nobody cares about mulch… hardscape is where the money is at.

[@blakeerdmann]

I'm at about $125 per yard. Up or down depending on walls, plants, and other obstacles.

[@keith-kalfas]

Thats really good.👍 what city and state are you in bro?

[@blakeerdmann]

@@keith-kalfas I'm in the suburbs of Chicago.

[@bigisrael144]

I just started and I hit ‘em for 100 plus thanks bro 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@threepointservices-tractor4832]

Maybe I missed something but it seems to be, 1 dollar per square foot of mulched area, if applied at two inches deep.

[@sergiodalfonso5501]

I charged $125 per yard but also buy in bulk get it all delivered to shop 2000 yards per year through the bark blower

[@AKoehnFishing-xf4wj]

Do you really need 115 dollars per yard for labor? Seems like price gouging to me. By your pricing I could net profit 600 dollars in 1/2 day by myself spreading mulch. Something almost everyone can do..

[@keith-kalfas]

$600 profit in a day is still not enough yet. According to my math Ive been crunching sir. . We need minimum $1,000 a day in pure net PROFIT in order to fully save for retirement and put money away into a ROTH IRA and have good health insurance, life insurance, home insurance, raise a family, put your kids through college, not to mention grow your business and Invest in cash flow producing assets.

[@dylanburge3516]

lol man has the biggest yards of mulch I’ve ever seen

[@bowalkerwhitley4471]

Buy a Dingo Brother I did Its a game Changer

[@dextfittv8360]

Texas is so saturated with “landscapers “ you’ll get a yard of mulch for $100 and someone says oh someone will do it cheaper

[@environmentlandscapeexcavation]

NICE! I LOVE YOUR PRICING VIDEOS MAN!!!!

[@B.E.E.S.]

how much do you pay for your mulch? around mtl its from 45 to 75$/y bulk + delivery. i usually charge 125-140 + delivery. 3cuft bags are 5-10$ i charge 12-17.5 (bout the same as bulk) what u think? you do a multiple or a $ margin?

[@keith-kalfas]

Perfect. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@jenniferg6818]

Did you start in landscaping or windows?

[@keith-kalfas]

Landscaping first.

[@Bellaslawnandgarden]

I charge $200 per yard installed in Canada

[@rdblawnandlandscaping1613]

Does that include prep work before like cleaning out beds before mulch

[@keith-kalfas]

No it does not

[@PedersenlawncareLLC]

Im at 140 per yard installed. Some companies in my area are $180-$200 per installed.

[@Sethhaun78]

Crazy mulch went up 15 bucks this year

[@groundcontrol2795]

Great video, Keith! Not just on the high information side, but just well done on the videography and audio, as well! THANK you for covering some of the bad points, like covering the flares, as so many people just don't get it. That said however, pricing really goes area by area, and some areas really change with close proximities. Take for instance, here in the central Michigan area. Here around the Flint area, you'd be hard pressed to get 150/yd.. 100/yd. would really be pressing it. Customers will just make a few phone calls or get on the local fb page looking for someone and have 20 people answering their post with cheaper pricing. About 1/2 hr to the south of us, we have areas that would be more prone to pay a bit more. But even again, people shop around and get lower prices and there's always some young eager beaver with no bills or expenses willing to do it with the pickup dad bought him, or the two Chucks and a truck always willing to get some more beer money.

[@Baldedtoe]

What about being solo bro?

[@stretchEE1]

This should get a million views and even more comments 💯

[@keith-kalfas]

Haha thank you so much! ☺️

[@chadpooler3373]

How exactly so you figure $150 per yard? What is your mathematics to come up with that number?

[@keith-kalfas]

I literally invented the number by "price testing" to see how much the market could bare. And $150 is definitely at the high-end of the spectrum in my opinion. But it's 2024.

[@chadpooler3373]

@@keith-kalfas I'm at about $125 per yard. What I did was take a yard of mulch + 1 hour labor + delivery cost (broken down) = my total per yard

[@RedRockMaintenance]

I just started offering mulch installs this year. It cost me $65 a yard for black mulch. Last year i charged $200 installed but may have to go a bit higher as the mulch is far from jobs.

[@lukemarks92]

I think the best mulch for plants is called "soil aid" in our area. Its very fine bark that is light brown. Looks great. And since its small it will decompose. That dyed stuff is terrible for plants

[@keith-kalfas]

What's it called? "Soil aid" I wanna look that up. Thanks bro.

[@lukemarks92]

@@keith-kalfas yup its just naturally shredded bark down to where its super tiny. Love the look of if. Its a bit messy on install but it will decompose into the ground and will need a refresh every few years over time it definitely "aids" the soil microbial life and overall soil health! We either do soil aid if they want natural mulch. Or we install rock in our area. Mulch is so much easier. We use big scooper shovels to spread it. Its nice in the sense you can spread it evenly just with the shovel as you go. No need to rake at the end. We call it "peppering" in our area

[@lukemarks92]

It speeds up the decomposition process since its so small the microbes in the soil can get busy decomposing it.

[@bdhlawncareservices6403]

150 yard every day!!

[@ricksmash8080]

It would usually cost a homeowner around $125 -$130 plus tax to have 1 yard of mulch delivered to their house and dumped on their driveway. So I think if it’s less than 2 yards you should charge extra for delivery. Are you including preen in the price too, or are you up charging for preen? I think it should be an upsell in this economy.

[@janinedavies8589]

I am in Canada. A company I have contracted for is charging 230 installed and 99 for delivery. My prices are way lower but after seeing this, I know I have been buggering myself. Just bought a dump trailer as well so my prices will be going way up! I am able to get spruce/pine mix for 35 per yard

[@Firstlaughindays]

Another great and informative video...

[@keith-kalfas]

Thanks again!

[@workingcountry1776]

before 2020 i charged 100/cy. That was just my price for mulch and installing it. Prep work was not part of that normally

[@luismigznm5076]

I do 120sq $140

[@Bull-xe7do]

How much just to lay the mulch like if the yard is set up already

[@keith-kalfas]

Yes. Still $150 per yard installed.

[@Bull-xe7do]

@keith-kalfas ok thanks

[@LogITECH-jk1ss]

Touch Down

[@realspeechfilms1436]

You're truly an inspiration

[@MrCrunch76]

I get bulk mulch for $30/y and I charge $125/y. No one has said no yet. Maybe I should raise the price lol

[@poncacitylawncarellc]

How much per bag for smaller jobs. I’ve been telling customers $6. When buying it for $2.

[@mttw]

What do you charge for a cubic yard? Assuming a bag of mulch covers 12 square feet at 2 inches, you're only grossing $78 for every cubic yard before factoring in the $27 mulch cost, as well as your fuel cost to pick up and deliver those bags, and the fixed costs associated with running your business (insurance, salaries, truck/equipment depreciation, etc.).

[@Phillipglossinger]

Completely correct mttw everyone must consider every working minute or paying an employee to do it

[@playtimet.v7342]

This is why I like your videos.

[@keith-kalfas]

Haha thank you so much.

[@christopherward5841]

How much time to spread a yard in a garden? I usually estimate an 1-1.5 cy/hr. We are getting over $200/yd.

[@keith-kalfas]

Well. 1 man can move about 1 yd of topsoil with a wheelbarrow 100ft. In 1 hour. But with these HUGE dual wheel barrows and pitch forks we can move and install approx 2 yards per hour.

[@JDiPace]

I remember the walking the line video here !

[@keith-kalfas]

Yes haha whatupdoe!

[@JEEPSRTFAKE]

Your math is wrong. 150/yard 10 yards =1500$. 11 yards = 1100$. You need to say first 10 yards 150$/each 11 and on are 100$

[@tradingonahunch9715]

I've been in the industry my whole life, have a bachelors in landscape management. Own my own company. Thankful not a company in our region charges by the yard to install. We all work hard to estimate jobs that include, blowing out winter debris and leaves, weed, edge, prune deadwood and winter damage and then mulch. Blow down and remove debris from the site. We estimate based on the man hours to do the job and the materials needed. Nobody loses. I make our hourly rate on every single job and make my markup on every material, including mulch on every single job. No such thing as oh darn we didn't do to well on that job lets make it up on the next one. Nope, if I can't make 100% of our hourly rate plus our materials marked up, the next guy guessing can have the job. We put down thousands of yards a year, mow a lot of lawns and we are very profitable for this reason.