Fall Cleanup Cost in Madison, WI
Reviewed by Vance Ferry·Founder & Owner, TotalGuard Yard CareLast updated: Madison-area lawn care professional since 2023. Pricing reflects real Dane County jobs completed in 2025–2026.
Leaf removal pricing by yard size and tree density -- protect your lawn before winter.
Fall Cleanup in Madison, WI costs $485–$850 per cleanup for the typical Dane County property. Price varies with lot size, terrain, frequency, and condition: the single biggest factor is usually property size. Below: real 2026 ranges by tier, what should be included, and how to spot a lowball quote.
Fall Cleanup Pricing in Madison
| Yard Size | Light Leaves | Moderate Leaves | Heavy Tree Cover | Multiple Visit Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1/4 acre | $485-595 | $485-595 | Quoted after a look | Quoted after a look |
| 1/4-1/2 acre | $595-695 | $595-695 | Quoted after a look | Quoted after a look |
| 1/2-1 acre | $695-850 | $695-850 | Quoted after a look | Quoted after a look |
| 1+ acre | $850+ | $850+ | Quoted after a look | Quoted after a look |
Under 1/4 acre
1/4-1/2 acre
1/2-1 acre
1+ acre
Factors That Affect Your Price
Tree density
+30-100%1-3 trees = base (light). 4-6 trees = moderate. 7+ large trees = heavy.
Tree species
+15-25%Maple/birch (early drop, small leaves) = base. Oak (late drop, heavy leaves, acorns) adds work.
Visits needed
variesOne-time cleanup = base. Multi-visit program (3-4 visits) costs more total but better per-visit rate.
Final mow
+$35-60Including final low mow for winter prep adds time.
Gutter cleaning combo
-10-15%Add gutter cleaning to fall cleanup and save vs. booking separately.
Haul-away
+$50-75/loadLight load (1-2 pickups) = included. Heavy loads require multiple trips.
What Should Be Included (Don't Accept Less)
Complete leaf removal from lawn, beds, and hard surfaces
Final mow at winter-prep height (2.5-3 inches)
Bed cleanup (leaves out of beds to prevent matting)
Hard surface cleanup (driveway, walkways, patio)
All debris hauled away, not just blown to the curb
If they blow leaves to the curb and leave -- that's not cleanup (City of Madison doesn't vacuum residential streets)
Madison does not provide curbside leaf vacuuming for residential properties.
If they skip the beds -- matted leaves suffocate perennials and encourage snow mold
Leaf mats trap moisture and promote fungal disease.
If they don't do a final mow -- your lawn enters winter at the wrong height
Too-tall grass mats under snow and breeds snow mold.
How TotalGuard Compares
Our fall cleanup for a standard 1/4-1/2 acre Madison property with moderate leaf coverage is $595-695, including leaf removal, bed cleanup, final mow, and full haul-away. Heavy tree cover may need a second pass, which we spell out on your quote -- less stress on your lawn than waiting for one massive cleanup.
Why Madison Is Different
Madison sits in one of the heaviest deciduous tree canopy regions in the Midwest. The city's oak, maple, and elm tree-lined streets are beautiful -- until October. Leaf fall in Madison typically runs 6-8 weeks, from early October through late November. Oak trees are notorious for holding leaves until well after the first frost. The City of Madison requires yard waste to be composted or delivered to designated drop-off sites -- leaves cannot go in regular trash. Leaving leaves on your lawn through winter promotes snow mold, a fungal disease that creates dead patches in spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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