The shift to cooler weather and shorter days is an opportunity, not a setback. Homeowners need help with fallen leaves and clogged gutters as they prep for winter.
Fall landscaping services can keep your schedule full, your customers happy, and your income steady.
TL;DR: Your 3-Step Fall Game Plan
- Add high-demand seasonal lawn care services like leaf removal and gutter cleaning
- Bundle services to earn more with each client visit
- Keep your insurance active for year-round protection and peace of mind
Why Fall Is a Goldmine for Smart Landscapers
Your landscaping business may see a decline in jobs for lawn maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you have to slow down.
The change in seasons creates fresh, high-demand opportunities for essential services like leaf removal and gutter cleaning.
The best part? You probably already have the gear to do the work.
These jobs aren’t just about cleaning up — they’re about protecting properties before winter hits. Plus, customers are often willing to book quickly and pay for thorough, professional work when the leaves start to pile up.
How to Add Leaf Removal to Your Service List
Whether you’re expanding your landscaping business or starting a dedicated leaf removal business, fall is your golden window. Here’s a quick four-step plan to get rolling:
- Decide on services: Will you just rake and bag leaves, or also haul them away for disposal or composting? Consider upsells like mulching or end-of-season yard prep.
- Use what you’ve got: Many landscapers already own leaf blowers, rakes, and tarps.
- Set your pricing: Offer per-yard rates, per-bag fees, or seasonal packages. Some customers prefer one-time cleanups, others want recurring visits until the last leaf drops.
- Promote locally: Flyers, Facebook Marketplace, and neighborhood apps work well for seasonal landscaping marketing.
Why it works: Leaf removal is a high-demand, low-barrier seasonal add-on. Most homeowners either don’t have the time, tools, or physical ability to keep up with falling leaves. Adding it to your service list increases fall revenue without new investments. It also keeps your crew working into the cooler months, bridging the gap before winter jobs start.
Example pricing for leaf removal by acre
1/6 acre
Average Overall Cost
$115 to $185
1/5 acre
Average Overall Cost
$140 to $215
1/4 acre
Average Overall Cost
$150 to $250
1/2 acre
Average Overall Cost
$210 to $465
3/4 acre
Average Overall Cost
$290 to $700
1 acre
Average Overall Cost
$400 to $850
Note: Estimate pricing for leaf removal sourced from LawnStarter’s article “How Much Does Leaf Removal Cost in 2025?”
How to Add Gutter Cleaning to Your Service List
If you’ve ever thought about starting a gutter cleaning business or simply want to add it to your landscaping services, fall is the perfect time.
Clogged gutters can cause costly roof leaks, ice dams, and foundation damage, and homeowners are eager to hire someone who can do the job safely.
Here’s how to start offering gutter cleaning:
- Assess your readiness: If you already own sturdy ladders and basic safety gear, you’re halfway there. You may want to invest in stabilizers, gutter scoops, or cordless blowers.
- Set your service scope: Will you only clean gutters, or will you also flush downspouts, make minor repairs, and install gutter guards? Offering tiered packages can increase your upsell opportunities.
- Price strategically: Gutter cleaning is often priced per linear foot, per side of the house, or per story (multi-story homes usually cost more). You can also charge seasonal rates for bundled visits in spring and fall.
- Market with urgency: Use before-and-after photos and emphasize the value of your service and highlight the difference you can make.
Why it works: Gutter cleaning is one of the most in-demand seasonal add-ons for landscapers and a clear entry point for those starting a gutter cleaning business. It requires minimal upfront investment, aligns perfectly with fall yard services, and can be done in the same visit as leaf removal for maximum efficiency and profit.
Example pricing for gutter cleaning by house height
1 Story
Average Cost per Linear Foot
$0.95 to $1.25
Average Total Cost
$145 to $250
2 Stories
Average Cost per Linear Foot
$1.00 to $1.85
Average Total Cost
$180 to $360
3 Stories
Average Cost per Linear Foot
$1.25 to $2.25
Average Total Cost
$210 to $450
Some contractors may charge by your home’s square footage instead – around $0.40 per square foot (sq. ft.) for the first floor and $0.80 per sq. ft. for the second floor.
Note: Estimate pricing for leaf removal sourced from Angi’s article “How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost? [2025 Data]”
Pro tip: Turn fall yard work into a profit booster by offering bundled “cleanup” packages. Customers love the convenience, and you’ll save time on scheduling while increasing your margins. For example:
Sweeten the deal (and your bottom line) by upselling extras like shrub trimming, lawn aeration, or winter lawn fertilization.
- Leaf and gutter: $175 to $300
- Full fall cleanup (leaf, gutter, and lawn prep): $350 to $500
Other Fall Services to Keep Landscapers Busy
Fall landscaping isn’t limited to leaves and gutters. If you want steady work (and a reason to keep your crew members through winter), diversify your seasonal lawn care offerings:
- Lawn and soil preparation: Fall is prime time for aeration, overseeding, fertilization, and topdressing. These services improve turf health before the freeze and position you for a strong spring.
- Tree and shrub care: Offer pruning to remove damaged branches before heavy snow, plant new shrubs while the soil is still warm, and refresh mulch for insulation.
- Garden and planting: Install fall flowers, plant spring bulbs, or divide perennials to improve next year’s garden performance.
- Niche add-ons: Pressure wash patios and decks, seal driveways, remove ice and snow, and even install outdoor Christmas lights. These services can be marketed to your existing customer list with minimal extra promotion.
Timing Your Services for Maximum Demand
When you schedule your services, it can make or break your profitability. Demand peaks at slightly different times depending on where you’re located:
- North: Leaf removal ramps up in early October, with gutter cleaning best done late October to early November – just after the final leaf drop.
- Midwest: Start leaf removal by mid-October and book gutter cleaning into mid-November before the freezing temps hit.
- South: The leaf drop is slower, so stagger jobs over late October through December; gutter cleaning may stretch well into winter and snow/ice removal as long as it’s for residential housing.
Pro tip: If you want to maximize earnings, align your service calendar with your lawn care business plan so you can promote seasonal packages ahead of time. That way, customers book early, your crews stay busy, and you can bundle related services for higher margins.
Hold On! Let’s Do a Quick Landscaping Insurance Check-Up
Before adding fall landscaping services like leaf removal and gutter cleaning, ensure your landscaping insurance is ready. Even if business slows in winter, keeping your policy active protects you against unexpected claims.
Coverage checklist:
- General liability: Covers third-party property damage and injury claims
- Trailer and equipment (also known as inland marine insurance): Protects your mobile equipment against theft or damage
- Workers compensation: Required in most states if you have employees, especially for ladder work in gutter cleaning
Canceling your insurance during slow months can leave you completely exposed. Accidents, claims, or damage can still happen outside of peak season, and reinstating a lapsed policy can be more expensive.
Common Questions About Off-Season Landscaping
Can I use my existing lawn care tools for leaf removal?
Yes, you can use your existing lawn care tools for leaf removal, especially if you already have rakes, blowers, and tarps.
You can also upgrade to higher-powered blowers or add mulching attachments to make the job more efficient, allowing you to serve more clients in less time.
Do I need additional insurance coverage for leaf removal or gutter cleaning?
You may need additional insurance coverage for leaf removal or gutter cleaning, depending on your current landscaping insurance policy.
These services can increase your exposure to property damage or injury claims, so it’s important to confirm with your insurance provider whether you’re covered or if you need additional endorsements.
What happens if I cancel my insurance during the slow season?
If you cancel your insurance during the slow season, you may lose continuous coverage, which can make it harder to get insured again.
Staying insured year-round can protect you from off-season landscaping risks, like damage to stored equipment or liability from past jobs.
