How to Cancel TruGreen in 2026 — Escape the Lawn Care Contract + DIY for 80% Less

Last updated: February 2026 • Difficulty: Medium

TruGreen Pricing

• Basic plan (TruNatural): ~$50-60/treatment × 6 = $300-360/year
• Standard plan (TruHealth): ~$60-70/treatment × 7 = $420-490/year
• Premium plan (TruComplete): ~$70-80/treatment × 8 = $560-640/year
• Pre-pay discount: ~10-15% off if you pay the full year upfront — but no refunds if you cancel mid-year
• Add-ons: Aeration ($150+), overseeding ($200+), tree/shrub care ($150+/visit)

How to Cancel

1. Call 1-800-464-0171 (TruGreen customer service)
2. Say clearly: "I want to cancel my service plan and stop all future treatments"
3. ⚠️ You CANNOT cancel online — phone call is required
4. Request a confirmation number and email confirmation
5. If you pre-paid: ask about refund for unused treatments (they may refuse — escalate to a manager)
6. Cancel BEFORE the next treatment is scheduled — they often show up unannounced and bill you

Retention Tactics to Expect

• "We'll give you 20-30% off": Standard first offer — still overpriced
• "Your lawn will suffer": Scare tactic — grass grows fine without professional chemicals
• "We'll skip the next treatment": Delay tactic, not cancellation
• "Let me transfer you to our retention team": Same script, different person
• Stay firm: "I want to cancel effective today. Please provide a confirmation number."

DIY Lawn Care (80% Cheaper)

• Fertilizer ($25-40, 4x/year = $100-160): Scotts Turf Builder or Milorganite — apply with a $30 broadcast spreader
• Weed control ($15-25, 2x/year = $30-50): Pre-emergent in spring + spot-treat weeds as needed
• Grub control ($20-30, 1x/year): Apply in late spring/early summer
• Total DIY cost: $150-240/year vs $300-640 for TruGreen
• Time investment: ~30 minutes per application, 4-6 times per year
• Learning curve: r/lawncare subreddit + LawnCareNut on YouTube = all the knowledge you need

The Math