Full guide

How to start a lawn mowing business as a teenager

Lawn mowing is the most reliable first business there is. The demand is obvious, the customer is standing in front of the problem every week, and you can start with a mower you already have access to. The hard part isn't the mowing. It's asking.

Nothing to startFrom age 12First dollar: One weekend, if you borrow a mower.

What it costs

What you actually need

A mower: $0 to start
Gas: $10–$20 a week
A trimmer: $0–$120 used
Work gloves and ear protection: $20–$30
Garbage bags or a tarp: $10

Borrow before you buy

Do your first three jobs with equipment you already have access to. Buy your own out of money a customer has already handed you, never out of money you are hoping to make.

What to charge

Pricing, honestly

Start at the lower end of each range. Raise it once five people have paid you without hesitating.

Small town lot, front and back: $25–$40
Large or corner lot: $40–$60
Trimming and edging added: +$10–$15
Weekly, booked for the season: 10% less per cut

Your first five

Exactly who to ask, in order

Warmest first. Your first attempt should be with someone who will be kind about it, because you will be bad at it.

Person 1
The neighbour on either side of you. They already see your lawn, so they already know whether you do it properly.
Person 2
Someone your parents know who has mentioned their yard, or complained about it.
Person 3
The house on your street that is visibly behind. Knock with an adult, and lead with a price, not a pitch.
Person 4
Anyone you already do something for — a coach, a teacher, someone from your church or team.
Person 5
The five houses either side of your first paying customer. Tell them you are already on the street on Thursdays.

Send this

“Hi Mrs. Bennett — it's Jordan from two doors down. I'm mowing lawns on our street this summer. I'd do yours for $30, front and back, same day every week so you don't have to think about it. Want me to do this week's and you can decide after?”

Change the names and the price. Keep the shape: who you are, how they know you, what you do, the price, and an easy way to say yes.

Not optional

Staying safe

Never mow a slope you would not walk down carrying something heavy.
Closed shoes always. Never sandals, never bare feet, no exceptions, not once.
Walk the lawn first and pick up rocks, sticks, toys and dog waste. A mower turns a stone into a projectile.
Stop the engine before you touch the blade or the underside. Every time, even for a second.
Tell someone which house you are at and when you expect to be done.

Tell a parent or guardian where you are working and when you expect to be finished, every time.

The actual business

Getting them to book you again

Same day every week. Being predictable is most of the product.
Text the night before. People like knowing you are coming.
Do one small thing you were not paid for — sweep the walk, put the bin back.
Ask once, at the end of a good job: "Do you know anyone else on the street who needs this?"
Raise your price on new customers first, not on the ones who took a chance on you.

Anything about licences, taxes or getting paid under 18 is on the Ontario guide. More ideas are on the full list.

Free, for students

Want help actually starting one?

Launch League is free for students from age 12. Pick an idea, work through eight short modules, build a one-page plan, and go and get your first paying customer. If you want, enter it in the Ontario competition at the end.

Start free See the competition

These are what people commonly charge, not what you will make. Look up what adults near you charge for the same job, then start a little under it and raise your price once you have five happy customers.

All the ways to make money 50 business ideas Getting your first customer