If you’re a landscaper looking to spend your marketing dollars wisely this season, you’re probably asking: Which services actually pull in the most leads at the lowest cost?
At 99 Calls, we looked at real data from 2025 for common landscaping ad groups and broke down exactly where the best lead opportunities are hiding. The results? Some services bring in leads by the truckload but can eat up your ad budget quickly, while others may deliver fewer leads but at a bargain cost per lead (CPL).
Let’s dig in.
The Heavyweight: Landscaping
No surprise here, general landscaping services topped the list with 212 leads generated. That’s a solid chunk of potential new jobs. But more volume comes with a price: the average cost per lead (CPL) sits at $73.15, the highest in this group.
Why? Because everyone wants to rank for broad landscaping keywords. They’re the first terms any homeowner types into Google when their yard’s a mess and they want help. That means you’re not just competing with a handful of local operators; you’re also fighting against every national directory, big franchise, and even DIY garden advice site vying for the same search real estate.
When you go after these obvious, high-demand terms like “landscaping services near me” you’re stepping into an online bidding war. And just like any auction, the more bidders there are, the higher the cost goes.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t target general landscaping jobs. Far from it, these jobs often open the door to repeat business or big-ticket projects. But it does mean you need to go in with a clear plan:
- Budget wisely. Be prepared to spend more per lead.
- Answer the intent. Make sure your ad copy and landing pages match what homeowners are really searching for, a trustworthy, local crew that shows up, does great work, and stands behind it.
- Capture the upsell. After booking the initial job, consider upselling maintenance packages, seasonal cleanups, or specialized work to maximize the ROI on that higher CPL.
The Steady Runner-Up: Lawn Care
Lawn care comes in right behind landscaping, with 184 leads at an average CPL of $71.71. These leads can be gold because they often turn into long-term relationships.
Lawn care is straightforward. Homeowners want that neat, envy-of-the-block look without spending weekends pushing a mower. So they go online and search for help. But the competition’s fierce because every neighborhood has a handful of guys with trucks and mowers trying to win the same clicks.
Why it’s worth it: Unlike one-off jobs, lawn care tends to be recurring income. Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits keep the cash flow steady, so paying a bit more upfront for the lead can pay off for months or even years.
How to win:
- Highlight convenience. Make it clear how easy it is to schedule and how reliable your crew is.
- Package services. Bundle lawn care with fertilizing, weed control, or edging to increase your average ticket.
- Build loyalty. Send reminders and offer discounts for prepaying the season. It keeps your schedule full and your customers sticky.
The Cost-Saving Sweet Spot: Spring Cleanup
Spring cleanup keywords brought in 102 leads at just $52.33 per lead. That’s a steal compared to general landscaping. Why so affordable? Because “spring cleanup” is super specific. Homeowners know exactly what they need, when they need it, and they want it now.
Searches for this service spike as soon as the snow melts or the first warm breeze hits. People see last year’s soggy leaves, dead branches, and messy flower beds, and they’d rather not deal with it themselves.
This is a great seasonal anchor for landscapers because it’s fast work that keeps your crew busy while bigger design and install jobs ramp up. Plus, spring cleanup is the gateway service that can lead to more mulching, planting, or even a full landscaping redesign.
How to win:
- Advertise early. Start your campaigns before the season hits so you’re top-of-mind when homeowners realize they’re in over their heads.
- Cross-sell. Use spring cleanup to pitch lawn care, mulching, or sod services.
- Focus your keywords. Target long-tail searches like “spring yard cleanup near me” or “spring debris removal [city].”
The Niche Add-On: Mulching
Mulching jobs came in with 41 leads at an average CPL of $52.45. It’s not going to keep your whole crew busy all year, but it’s one of those niche add-on services that’s easy to upsell during other jobs.
Think about it: once you’re already there doing a spring cleanup or planting new beds, adding a layer of fresh mulch is a no-brainer for the homeowner and a profitable bump for you.
There’s also less competition for mulching-specific keywords because most homeowners don’t think to search for mulching alone until they see how sad their flower beds look. The ones who do search are usually ready to book right away.
How to win:
- Bundle it: Don’t run stand-alone mulching ads, tie them into spring cleanup or planting services.
- Use visuals: Before-and-after photos sell mulch jobs like nothing else.
- Keep it simple: Offer a flat rate per yard of mulch, so homeowners know what to expect.
Sod Services: The Dark Horse
Sod installation generated 91 leads with an average CPL of $61.01. Sod jobs may not flood your phone with calls like general landscaping, but they can make a bigger dent in your revenue when they do come in.
Why? Because sod installation is an immediate transformation. It’s perfect for homeowners who want an instant lawn without the waiting game of seed and fertilizer. New builds, flips, or homeowners who’ve neglected their yard for too long want results, fast.
There’s also decent room to upsell. A sod install can turn into ongoing maintenance, fertilization, or sprinkler system installs if you play your cards right.
How to win:
- Target the right audience. Focus your ads on new homeowners, builders, or real estate investors.
- Show the instant impact. Use clear photos and testimonials. People love a lush, green lawn.
- Offer maintenance plans. Keep that grass alive and your relationship going.
So, Where Should You Spend Your Budget?
Big takeaway: Go broad for steady volume (but be ready to pay), or get specific for budget-friendly, high-intent leads that can turn into long-term customers.
- Landscaping and lawn care keep the leads flowing, but cost more. You need tight follow-up and upsells to get the best ROI.
- Spring cleanup, mulching, and sod services are your sweet spot for quick wins and repeat business.
And remember, no matter what service you’re promoting, the real magic happens after the lead comes in. Answer the call, close the deal, do great work, and follow up. That’s how smart landscapers stay busy all season long.
Final Thoughts
Leads are only as good as your ability to close them. If your phone is ringing off the hook with high-cost landscaping calls but your crew isn’t converting, you’re burning cash. Be strategic. Promote services that bring in qualified homeowners, not tire-kickers.
When you get this right, you can mow down the competition, and your profit margins will look as healthy as that freshly sodded lawn.
Ready to grow your landscaping business with more (and better) leads?
Let’s talk about building you a high-converting local ad campaign that won’t break the bank.