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

bingo said:
she never answers her repliers
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you mean like when she posted about her CV boots torn & that she had a leaking faucet?

Health might be a factor in her decision making. Deb stating she is a senior woman doesn't tell me much. My wife is 77 & breezes thru a little over 3 miles of walking every day. I quit at 3 miles. I have no doubt my wife could mow that much grass & feel great afterwards.
 
I know this is a very unusual situation, but when we bought our house 16 years ago there was a gentleman who mowed the grass and trimmed the trees for $25 a week for the previous owner. I was introduced to him, and 16 years later I still leave an envelope with $25 on the gate for him. If I'm going to be out of town I leave a letter in Spanish letting him know that I am paying him for a couple of weeks.

He still does this every week. These days I'm concerned about his age and that one day he won't show up and we will have to hire a landscape company, but in the interim Cirilo has been a godsend. He is a precious, hard-working soul and I will never hire anyone else until he says he is done.
 
I've decided on this EGO mower from Lowes
https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-POWER-...th-7-5Ah-Battery-and-Rapid-Charger/1003130698

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It's self-propelled, has 60 minute run time on a single charge, and has mulching or bagging capabilities... plus the drive is variable speed, so as I age, I can slow it down. It's supposed to be able to go 3.1 MPH, which is the rate of a pretty brisk walk and is probably rated on pavement without the blade turning. I doubt it can go that fast while mowing, but even 2 MPH would be good. It's on sale for $499 at Lowes — regular $599.
 
dseag2 said:
I know this is a very unusual situation, but when we bought our house 16 years ago there was a gentleman who mowed the grass and trimmed the trees for $25 a week for the previous owner. I was introduced to him, and 16 years later I still leave an envelope with $25 on the gate for him. If I'm going to be out of town I leave a letter in Spanish letting him know that I am paying him for a couple of weeks.

He still does this every week. These days I'm concerned about his age and that one day he won't show up and we will have to hire a landscape company, but in the interim Cirilo has been a godsend. He is a precious, hard-working soul and I will never hire anyone else until he says he is done.
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How can he do all that work plus pay for the equipment and gas for only $25? That's what I used to pay at my old house, but they did several houses on my street and did a crappy job. A crew would come in and swarm the yard with mowers and edgers, and be done in like 10 minutes. And that's what it looked like. They'd miss large patches of grass and would barely edge. I'd have to go out and cut the parts they missed.

I have a gas mower, but it's not self-propelled, and using it is one of the most unpleasant tasks I've had to partake in in the past 20 or so years. Six or seven years ago, I started paying for my lawn to be mowed. But battery technology has progressed to the point where I'm investing in a cordless electric. At $500, it will take 20 weeks for it to pay for itself or about one season of grass cutting. Hopefully, it will make it more pleasant to mow the yard, which is actually a new (to me) yard. I moved into a new house yesterday... big upgrade, so I'm treating myself. :)
 
We've had the same nice "family" company mow about 6 acres for us the last 30 years...figured it would be a "career" for hub to do it. The first tractor we had - bought it new - was a pain in the @#$. So much easier to have the guys with the heavy equipment come and do it in about 4 hours. Its worth every penny.
 
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.
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Not sure if you can share the battery. It's a large battery specific for the mower. A trimmer uses a smaller battery.
 
debodun said:
I heard back from a lawn service I contacted about mowing. His price was $60 a week. I though that was high.
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That sounds about right for mowing and edging your lawn if it takes them an hour, which is about what it takes to do a good job on a typical lot. So you figure about $1,500 if the season is 25 weeks. That's a bit pricey unless you're rich.

Inflation including the high price of gas must be hurting lawncare companies especially hard.
 
I would think of the hottest day in the Summer and think to yourself do you want to get out there and mow your grass on that day. If you say that is fine than buy a new lawn mower and have it. If not hire someone.
 
debodun said:
My cousin suggested I get a used riding mower. My issue with that is:
1) used - nobody sells a good working mower
2) needs a lot of storage space
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Sometimes you can buy good equipment used, like if someone is moving and doesn't want to move it, or if they're upgrading, or perhaps don't need it any more. Buying used is risky, though. There are a lot of a-holes without a conscience out there who will screw you over and then laugh about it.
 
Probably just me but paying for lawn service with the potential spending $1200.00 for one season doesn't sound economical to me.

If I had just sold a property & had no mortgage payments I would buy a decent size lawn shed, a gas powered decent size riding lawn mower that could have a snow blower attachment mounted & a bagger for the clippings. OK so it might take 5 years to recoup the initial outlay of money but from then on it pays for itself.

I look long term and what would work best for me financially. I don't expect gasoline to remain at the level it is now.
 
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A long time ago, my dad bought a used snow blower and it didn't work. He took it back to the person from whom he purchased. The other man at first refused to give a refund, but I guess my dad used his persuasive powers and finally prevailed. After that he told me never but anything used since nobody ever sells something that's in good condition.

BTW - I found a young man that lives 3 houses away that said he'd mow my lawn and do trimming for $30 a pop. That sounds like a bargian after other estimates I received.
 
debodun said:
A long time ago, my dad bought a used snow blower and it didn't work. He took it back to the person from whom he purchased. The other man at first refused to give a refund, but I guess my dad used his persuasive powers and finally prevailed. After that he told me never but anything used since nobody ever sells something that's in good condition.

BTW - I found a young man that lives 3 houses away that said he'd mow my lawn and do trimming for $30 a pop. That sounds like a bargian after other estimates I received.
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That does sound like a good deal.
 
I don't like mowing lawns. I would hire someone. Right now, it is part of my rent agreement that my landlord/friend handles that. Luckily I remembered in time how much I hate mowing lawns. He has been mowing this lawn for decades, so to him it is just more of the same.
 
debodun said:
A long time ago, my dad bought a used snow blower and it didn't work. He took it back to the person from whom he purchased. The other man at first refused to give a refund, but I guess my dad used his persuasive powers and finally prevailed. After that he told me never but anything used since nobody ever sells something that's in good condition.

BTW - I found a young man that lives 3 houses away that said he'd mow my lawn and do trimming for $30 a pop. That sounds like a bargian after other estimates I received.
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It is a bargain! Problem solved!
 

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