The unmistakable, nose-wrinkling smell of dog poop is unpleasant for anyone spending time on your property. Some homeowners let their dogs do their business in a particular spot on their lawn for convenience, but when you’ve hired a pro for routine lawn care, who should clear the waste: the homeowner or the landscaper?
Recently, one landscaper grew so frustrated with dog waste in a client’s backyard that he texted the homeowner to say he’d add a $25 cleanup fee if it wasn’t removed before the next service. The issue sparked a mixed debate in an Instagram post. The homeowner argued that poop cleanup was the landscaper’s job, but some commenters disagreed. “He’s paid to cut the grass, not clean up,” one person wrote. Another added, “If it’s his job, then pay him.” Others thought it was reasonable to expect the landscaper to pick up the waste.
Dog waste can make lawn care a dirty, unpleasant job. But should landscapers be expected to remove it at no extra cost, or is it the homeowner’s responsibility to clear the lawn before service? We asked lawn pros what their take on the debate is.
How Dog Poop Makes a Landscaper’s Job Harder
“Twenty-five years in landscaping means I’ve run into more dog waste than I’d like to count,” says Gene Caballero, cofounder of Green Pal. “A mower doesn’t go around it, so the blade picks it up and throws it across the lawn onto the equipment, and now and then onto the person pushing the machine.” Caballero advises homeowners that dog waste can be even worse when you hit it with the weed whacker, so the waste becomes a sanitation problem on top of being just plain disgusting.
He says that removing waste before your landscaper or other lawn care professional arrives is a respectful gesture.
“Get the waste up before the crew arrives so the person mowing your yard can do the job safely and without the waste dragging along,” advises Caballero. “It’s a courtesy, and a small one.”
Why You Should Expect an Extra Fee for Waste Removal
For homeowners who leave dog waste in the yard, should landscapers charge an extra fee when the mess requires significant cleanup or slows down the job?
“Absolutely. I’d defend that fee all day,” Caballero says. “However, it gets spelled out and agreed to before anyone starts, never sprung on the homeowner afterward.” He says he’s charged homeowners an additional $10 to $20 per lawn for the inconvenience of removing dog waste.
“If it was really bad, I just wouldn't cut and let the homeowner know that I wouldn't do it,” says Caballero. “The deal cuts both ways: the landscaper shows up ready to do good work and the homeowner hands over a yard that’s reasonably clean and safe to work in,” he says.
Keeping Your Lawn Poop-Free Is the Best Policy
Landscapers are not the only professionals who encounter challenges with dog poop. Contractors and construction crews have to navigate the risks of their equipment on a dirty lawn.
“Animal waste can create an unsanitary and potentially hazardous working environment for our employees and subcontractors,” says Terry Flannery, owner of 2FL Windows & Siding.
“Our crews may spend hours working close to the ground, carrying materials, setting ladders, moving equipment, and working around the exterior of the property with animal waste having the potential to end up on clothing, equipment, and other work surfaces,” says Flannery.
The final word is this: If you’re going to let your dog do its business on your lawn, pick it up before your landscaper or outdoor crew arrives. It’s not their job to clean it, and it could cost you an extra fee—along with their willingness to work with you in the future.
