Trying to decide whether to buy a lawn mower or hire someone

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
Buying mower pros:

I can do it when I want and don't have to depend on when someone else will show up.
I can mow as close to things as I want,
Will pay for itself after 6 uses.

Buying a mower cons:

Physical effort for a old lady especially in the summer now that I have a larger lot to mow.
Will be responsible for equipment maintenance.

Hiring a service pros:

They take care of their equipment.
They do the hard work.

Hiring a service cons:

I have no control over how short they cut (when I complained last year, the man said most people make a mistake of cutting their grass too short. Grass should never be cut shorter than 4 inches),
or how close they want to get to objects,
or when they can come.

Expensive (I've paid between $45 and $60 for each mowing last year - probably more now that gas is higher).
 

i could mow my lawns , but I don’t , as I don’t get the time ….I get a gardener, who charges me 15.00 pound …
 
win231 said:
If your yard isn't too large, you can get a self-propelled mower that doesn't use gas.
I use the "EGO" brand with all my yard equipment.
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai...=2ahUKEwiO6omT8I73AhVSEEQIHViED1EQ0Qx6BAgEEAE
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That's exactly what I'm going to do. EGO is one of the recommended brands. Greenworks is supposed to be good, too. It will be nice not to have to deal with gas or changing the oil or all the noise. Just clean the bottom and an occasional blade sharpening are all that's needed.

How's that EGO working for you? Any complaints?
 
I've been considering doing the same thing. I prefer the battery operated ones, so I don't have to mess w/the gas.

My thought is I could mow my lawn in between times when nothing else needs to be done ie: leaves, edging, pruning.
And, save a few bucks!

The ones Win231 has listed look pretty fancy, but I like them.
I'll probably check them out the next time I go to Lowe's.
Hope they're not too pricey.
 
It's expensive here for a gardener too.. £50 every 2 weeks...

Have you got a neighbour with a grandson or son.. who might do it for pocket money using your mower?...

Incidentally the gardener was right about the length of the grass.. you kill it when you cut it shorter. It's very frustrating because it means you have to cut more often in summer if you want a healthy lawn, but if you don't mind about that, then see if you can get a neighbour to do it, or see if they can recommend anyone..
 
As you get older it’s going to get harder and harder to do. I cut the front yard yesterday only and saved the back for another day, probably today. Even self-propelled takes some effort to back up and make turns. I toy with the idea of a riding mower every year but still walk behind my self-propelled. I like the idea that it keeps me in shape but I can just go for an enjoyable walk to do that. Cutting week after week gets old but when I’m done I like the satisfaction it gives me. I’m torn.
 
SeniorBen said:
That's exactly what I'm going to do. EGO is one of the recommended brands. Greenworks is supposed to be good, too. It will be nice not to have to deal with gas or changing the oil or all the noise. Just clean the bottom and an occasional blade sharpening are all that's needed.

How's that EGO working for you? Any complaints?
Click to expand...
I've been using the EGO string trimmer, hedge clipper & leaf blower for several years. ALL have MORE power than gas tools. Run times are great & batteries charge quickly. No problems with any of them. Always buy the tool with the battery included; otherwise the batteries are expensive if you buy them separately.
Greenworks makes crap. I previously had a Greenworks extended hedge clipper. It broke in half after 6 months use. After lots of arguing with the company, they sent me a replacement clipper - which broke after 4 months.
 
Being able to mow the yard, and perform my own outdoor duties is one of the major factors determining how long we will continue to live on this nice place in the country. It it gets to the point where I can no longer keep the yard looking nice, without paying someone a bundle, there will be a For Sale sign here, and we will be living in an apartment.
 
win231 said:
If your yard isn't too large, you can get a self-propelled mower that doesn't use gas.
Click to expand...
Nathan said:
Get a mower if you are physically capable. Using the mower will help you retain your strength, and like you said, you will have control over how it's all done.
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I'm with Win and Nathan 100%.

I'll emphasize 2 of their points: 1) electric mowers are easy to maintain and you don't have to buy fuel; 2) mowing is pleasant, very healthy exercise for body and soul.
 
debodun said:
I looked a 4 hardware store websites nearest to me. None have a cordless, self-propelled, mulching electric mower. I can get some with a few of those options, but not together in one mower. :(
Click to expand...
You'll need an electric cord, probably 50 to 100 feet...about $25-$30. If you don't have an outdoor electrical outlet, and there isn't one very near your front and back doors, you might also need an extension cord....about $12-$15. Make sure the cords can accommodate that 3rd prong; the round one.
 
I have about an acre of land, half acre in the front and half in the back. Like others here, I have used the EGO lawn mower over the years. It is wonderful. Battery operated. I use the quick charger which charges the battery within 30 minutes. I have used this machine for several years. Yes, it is good exercise to walk and mow! I don't have to push as it is self-propelled.

However, I never mow all year round. I'll start and end the season April-November, and sometimes it takes 2-3 days for me to cut everything, but the warm/hot months are left for the mowers. No ifs or buts. They charge around $55 per mowing. Having them mow for me is especially important because the energy and time spent into mowing takes away from my gardening. Also, if I go away for the summer, I have a backup.

I also have a tractor, but that's another story.

Good luck with your decision!
 
The EGO mowers win231 mentioned come with a bag to collect the cut grass. I don't understand why a mulcher is needed.

A smaller battery powered light weight self propelled mower with a bagger isn't expensive when looked at as an investment. Deb posted Buying mower pros:

I can do it when I want and don't have to depend on when someone else will show up.
I can mow as close to things as I want,
Will pay for itself after 6 uses.
&
Expensive (I've paid between $45 and $60 for each mowing last year - probably more now that gas is higher).

The cost to buy as Deb points out is recouped. After that she would have many years of use. Cutting grass without hitting stone to dull the blade should give her years of maintenance free use. When service is needed she has posted that she has a relative that does mechanic work. Add in the exercise & cutting only as much as she feels like cutting at a time all in seems like buying a quality electric mower would be to her benefit.
 
win231 said:
I've been using the EGO string trimmer, hedge clipper & leaf blower for several years. ALL have MORE power than gas tools. Run times are great & batteries charge quickly. No problems with any of them. Always buy the tool with the battery included; otherwise the batteries are expensive if you buy them separately.
Greenworks makes crap. I previously had a Greenworks extended hedge clipper. It broke in half after 6 months use. After lots of arguing with the company, they sent me a replacement clipper - which broke after 4 months.
Click to expand...
I watched a test of electric lawnmowers and Greenworks and EGO came out on top for best value, but they didn't test for longevity; they were just tests from right out of the box performance. Thanks for the warning about Greenworks! (y)
 
palides2021 said:
I have about an acre of land, half acre in the front and half in the back. Like others here, I have used the EGO lawn mower over the years. It is wonderful. Battery operated. I use the quick charger which charges the battery within 30 minutes. I have used this machine for several years. Yes, it is good exercise to walk and mow! I don't have to push as it is self-propelled.

However, I never mow all year round. I'll start and end the season April-November, and sometimes it takes 2-3 days for me to cut everything, but the warm/hot months are left for the mowers. No ifs or buts. They charge around $55 per mowing. Having them mow for me is especially important because the energy and time spent into mowing takes away from my gardening. Also, if I go away for the summer, I have a backup.

I also have a tractor, but that's another story.

Good luck with your decision!
Click to expand...
That's the second EGO recommendation! The other by win. I think that's what I'll go with. I'm going to try to find a deal with a mower and string trimmer sold together so they can share the battery.
 
SeniorBen said:
That's the second EGO recommendation! The other by win. I think that's what I'll go with. I'm going to try to find a deal with a mower and string trimmer sold together so they can share the battery.
Click to expand...
All the EGO tools use the same battery.
 

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