Lawn Care - DIY or outsource? (apartments, rental, HOA)

[SanFranciscoTX]

Hi everyone, I need to get some general feedback before making a decision.

We just moved from out of town into a nice rental house with a ok sized yard.
We are deciding between taking care of our lawn, and getting someone to do it.

If we do it ourselves, we need to invest in lawn equipment.

Of course it is easier to pay someone to do it, but at some point, it may work out better if we DIY.

A few questions:
- How much should I be paying for lawn care, and how often - house sits on lot a little over 1/4 acre?
- What is the basic set of lawn care equipment I should buy? I am a newbie here, I've never done lawn before. I have been staying in apartments or houses with decks or where HOA does the lawn.

Any additional information is appreciated!

Thanks.

[124c41]

Don't have an amount to give you for cost of lawn care since I take care of my own, I would imagine it's whatever your budget can bear. Having taken care of an acre or more for many years, I can tell you basics you need. Depending on the layout of your yard, either a small riding mower, or a self-propelled push mower will work fine. I am a fan of Honda, so I would recommend that brand. A good weed trimmer ( I prefer gas, some prefer electric), and a leaf blower for cleaning up the driveway. Weed trimmer twine, gas cans, and earplugs to save you from tinnitus later in life, and you're good to go.

[Chaka]

I do my own and prefer that, but it'd \be nice to hire someone once in awhile

You would have to invest, so it depends a bit on how long you intend to stay in the house, and where you plan to move to eventually. If another house,t hen a worthwhile investment, if not, then no. Best is to call a few lawn care places and get estimates, then decide if that's within your budget.

[pobre]

Having someone do it will cost you anywhere from $30-$50 (we have 1/3 acre and pay $38). That's for mowing and trimming biweekly.

How often is up to you, but in this heat it is recommended that you keep the grass a bit taller.

On your own, you would need a mower and string trimmer. You can edge with the trimmer, or buy a dedicated edger. Mowers have many, many options (self propelled, mulching, etc.)

[ghostrider7811]

Please also consider YOUR time. Meaning are you going to spend one of your 2 days off per week performing this task? Would you rather be doing something else? I have 1/2 acre and it takes me about 1/2 of my Saturdary.
I recently replaced everything:
1. Rider style mower, $1000.00
2. Gas powered edger, $300.00
3. Gas powered string trimmer $200.00
4. Electric blower $100.00
5. Electric hedge trimmer $100.00
I had some of the other items other folks spoke of.
A lawn company gave me a quote of $90.00 per month, weekly service.
My wife thinks I should have taken their quote, I am thinking she is right, I am getting too old
and my kids have activities on Saturdays i should be attending.

[pobre]

Originally Posted by ghostrider7811

Please also consider YOUR time. Meaning are you going to spend one of your 2 days off per week performing this task? Would you rather be doing something else? I have 1/2 acre and it takes me about 1/2 of my Saturdary.
I recently replaced everything:
1. Rider style mower, $1000.00
2. Gas powered edger, $300.00
3. Gas powered string trimmer $200.00
4. Electric blower $100.00
5. Electric hedge trimmer $100.00
I had some of the other items other folks spoke of.
A lawn company gave me a quote of $90.00 per month, weekly service.
My wife thinks I should have taken their quote, I am thinking she is right, I am getting too old
and my kids have activities on Saturdays i should be attending.

Wow! 90/4.3 is 20.93 per mow, not bad.

[Cuero]

Originally Posted by SanFranciscoTX

Hi everyone, I need to get some general feedback before making a decision.

We just moved from out of town into a nice rental house with a ok sized yard.
We are deciding between taking care of our lawn, and getting someone to do it.

If we do it ourselves, we need to invest in lawn equipment.

Of course it is easier to pay someone to do it, but at some point, it may work out better if we DIY.

A few questions:
- How much should I be paying for lawn care, and how often - house sits on lot a little over 1/4 acre?
- What is the basic set of lawn care equipment I should buy? I am a newbie here, I've never done lawn before. I have been staying in apartments or houses with decks or where HOA does the lawn.

Any additional information is appreciated!

Thanks.

DIY is most economical in the long run, but you have to consider your time and the upfront cost of all the equipment, not to mention the storage space. Unless you have serious plans to become a homeowner I would hire someone. There are varying levels of service you can pay for ranging from just a maintenance cut all the way up to total lawn care. A good option would be to go for basic maintenance and then do the extras yourself.

If you go DIY, buy a push mower, 1/4 acre (including house) is too small to make a riding mower worthwhile. Consider not just the cost of the equipment but the maintenance as well. Go with a brand that you know you can find spare parts and maintenance items for. I like Sears Craftsman because they carry every part you will ever need.

[Cuero]

Originally Posted by ghostrider7811

I recently replaced everything:
1. Rider style mower, $1000.00
2. Gas powered edger, $300.00
3. Gas powered string trimmer $200.00
4. Electric blower $100.00
5. Electric hedge trimmer $100.00

6. Fertilizer spreader
7. Outdoor extension chords
8. Garden tools for weeding
9. Grinding attachments for sharpening blades
9. Oil pan and funnels for changing oil
10. Ramps if you have a riding lawnmower
11. Spark plug gap measure
12. Gas can
13. Ear plugs and safety goggles

[hadleyzoo]

https://www.just-mowing.com/

I'm in a rental and want to say I was mowing about 1/2 an acre every week and holy moly! I love being outside and doing yardwork, but this was taking me 3-4 hours every week. With work, school, kids activities, etc...the yard was just too much time I needed for other things.

I was paying $36 a week with Just-Mowing. I switched to every 2 weeks because the drought has slowed down the yard growth and pay $39 every two weeks now. Yeah, it's a couple dollars move if you do every 2 weeks versus every week.

[dpantle]

Heck, it's only a rental. Doesn't sound like it's a huge yard either. Unless you want to invest for a future move to another home:
Cheapy mower - $150-$200
Electric Trimmer - $30-$70
No need to go all out in case you decide you don't like doing it, and the cheapies are built to last a few years anyway.
Or just get a quote to have it done.