$21 a week to cut my lawn, need to invest in a lawn mower! (Scott: costs, rated)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Don't know how big the OP's property is, but if it's 1/4 acre or less and with no tricky topography, a mower option might be one of the battery ones, such as the larger Neuton for about $500 including the tax. No need to mess with gas, oil or tuneups. Get the blade sharpened once a season, remember to plug in the battery charger again after you're done, and that's it.
My 90-year-old neighbor has one and can do his half acre on a single battery charge if he does it every week; if he lets it get too long, he can do 2/3 of the yard per charge.
It doesn't have the oomph to chew up small branches or piles of autumn leaves like the gas powered ones do, though. And it's not self-propelled (but since it's much lighter than the gas mowers, that's a non-issue). You can buy a trimmer/edger attachment for the mower too.
If you are going to do your own landscaping and want to do it properly you are going to need the tools and equipment I mentioned. Just a mower and trimmer is not going to cut it. If you are ok with a sloppy job or want to spend a lot more time then go ahead. You could probably do without the edger but the rest you will need. How are you going blow leaves and grass clippings when they are on your driveway or sidewalk? You could use a broom but that will take a long time and it won't do as good of a job as a blower. How are you going to get leaves out of hard to reach places and get them into a pile? You can use a rake but it gets tiring quick. Why exert all that energy when you can just blow it?
I'm not saying you need to spend a fortune on lawn equipment but it can all be had for less than $1000.
I got everything I needed for around $500; that includes a blower and hedger. Now that I have all the equipment, it's under $80 a year for maintenance and about an hour a week. Well worth it. It's therapeutic for me. Like kayo said, that ice cold drink after you're done is so nice.
Quote:
As far as mowing your clippings and leaves onto your lawn, well that just look like crap. The only people I know that do that are people that have huge properties that can't bag everything or the lazy ones that don't know how to mow their lawn. Seeing a trail of clippings and leaves on your lawn is an eyesore. The leaves are not fertilizer, only the lawn clippings are.
When I'm done with my landscaping it usually looks better than my neighbors who use a service. I get compliments all the time by passerby's on how nice my lawn looks.
You completely lost me here. You can't even see lawn clippings unless youre cutting too much at one time and leaving clumps, or mowing a wet lawn. Same for leaves. They drop down to the soil and disappear if you do it right. The only time leaves become too much to handle is around november.
I'd say mine looks better than most people who use landscapers. Also mine is not kept on life support with harsh contractor fertilizers and crappy seed. It's sustainable and looks good without that because of good practices like mowing your leaves & clippings into the lawn.
If someone who uses a landscaper ever stopped, they would see the real condition of their lawn.
Last edited by Howard Beale; 05-21-2014 at 12:17 PM..
Call it what you like, but it holds true for almost all dealings I had with contractors sine my time as a home owner. That doesn't say a lot of good about contractors, in general.
Actually what that tells me is that the person with the communication deficiency is...you!
Not looking for an argument but for one person to do my corner lot no part of it takes 5 minutes and altogether it's at least 2 hours. They actually blow and tote (big green pails) debris every week. They also weed the beds, sift the mulch, mow front, back and side yards, edge all grass beds, curb and fence sides. It takes me hours and looks average. It isn't torture, just very annoying, unsatisfying and cuts into limited free time I can spend in much more enjoyable ways. I get 1 spring cleanup, aeration, 2 or 3 seedings, 5 or 6 chemical treatments (insects, fertilizer, weeds, etc) and weekly service. It costs me $965 per year and my lawn has looked better and better each year since they started. If I hit the lottery I'll get IGS's and make the lawn police proud.
Those green pails are most likely just grass clippings. Are you home when they come to mow? Most are hit-and-run type operations. They cut front/back while one guy does the edging/trimming and are gone in 15 minutes
$965 sounds very cheap. The cleanups alone are usually $300-$400. Maintenance $40 average a week with the chemical treatments. If they're spending an hour a week on yours plus chemicals and cleanups, they're not making any money at $965 for the year. doesn't add up.
Those green pails are most likely just grass clippings. Are you home when they come to mow? Most are hit-and-run type operations. They cut front/back while one guy does the edging/trimming and are gone in 15 minutes
$965 sounds very cheap. The cleanups alone are usually $300-$400. Maintenance $40 average a week with the chemical treatments. If they're spending an hour a week on yours plus chemicals and cleanups, they're not making any money at $965 for the year. doesn't add up.
They take 1/2 hour. Cleanings are 1/2 that price. Local family business been around for 40 years (dad then son). They are quick but they are efficient and professional. Do a number of houses nearby. Weed whacker and edger guys walk up and start. Mowers follow a few minutes later. Blower clean/up right after. Crew chief does beds and also handles blower. Bins are all lawn clippings emptied from the mower catch. Not sure why every decent service has to be suspect on here. Either it's a "hit and run" or "contractors who can't communicate." Sorry all you Scottsmen but it ain't rocket science. It's just tedious labor. I'd rather coach my kid's sports or do most anything short of a root canal than whack weeds but once again, to each his own. There is plenty of grunt work I do and wouldn't dream of paying someone for so I understand the concept. Let's agree to be glad it's finally spring and we can discuss lawns instead of potholes and frozen pipes!
Actually what that tells me is that the person with the communication deficiency is...you!
Haha.
But who's the expert on the services being performed? Me?
Am I the one that's supposed to be on-site to watch everything? Hm...
Like the example of the lime/fertilizer earlier, was the owner supposed to know what his soil ph is, what is needed, at what time of the year, which brand, mix, ratio, application method that he prefers and let the landscaper know ahead of time?
Or, like an expert in the field should generally do, is ask "hey, your soil ph is acidic, so we recommend adding lime. The cost is $20. Do you authorize us to do this?"
Thanks to all for the information, feedback and advice. My lot size is 60x100 and I do have a decent size front and backyard. I will continue to use my current landscaper for the time being until I find someone else.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
