Who knew that mowing grass was so expensive???

Colleen

Colleen

Senior Member
Location
Pennsylvania
We've had a lot of rain the last few weeks in my area and my grass has shot up like crazy and today the dandelions are in full bloom. We've had a few sunny, dry days in between rain and if my late husband would still be around, he would have been edging and pulling weeds.....but he's not here and my yard is looking less than maintained.

I have a new (in 2022) lawn tractor, edger, trimmer and leaf blower in the garage. I'm willing to hire someone to cut my grass, etc. so I contacted a couple local companies yesterday to ask their rate. I have almost a 1/2 acre. One company quoted me $65/week and the other quote was $50+/week. o_O I'm getting SS only now so there's no way I can afford that. I'm thinking about asking my neighbor if his church has a Youth Group and if there would be anyone willing to do my yard. What do you think?
 

Colleen said:
We've had a lot of rain the last few weeks in my area and my grass has shot up like crazy and today the dandelions are in full bloom. We've had a few sunny, dry days in between rain and if my late husband would still be around, he would have been edging and pulling weeds.....but he's not here and my yard is looking less than maintained.

I have a new (in 2022) lawn tractor, edger, trimmer and leaf blower in the garage. I'm willing to hire someone to cut my grass, etc. so I contacted a couple local companies yesterday to ask their rate. I have almost a 1/2 acre. One company quoted me $65/week and the other quote was $50+/week. o_O I'm getting SS only now so there's no way I can afford that. I'm thinking about asking my neighbor if his church has a Youth Group and if there would be anyone willing to do my yard. What do you think?
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Just curious, with the people who gave quotes, do you know what sort of equipment they'd use? Would they bring a ride-it type mower on a truck or trailer with them? Would they use a mower that you own?
 
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Colleen said:
I'm getting SS only now so there's no way I can afford that. I'm thinking about asking my neighbor if his church has a Youth Group and if there would be anyone willing to do my yard. What do you think?
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If I'd do that, I'd be sure to quote what I'm willing to pay so there wouldn't be a misunderstanding about whether or not you were looking for a freebie. If you can afford like $25 or $30 whenever needed whether every week, every two weeks, etc., then I'd make that clear right up front. Have you checked out NextDoor. com?
 

Colleen said:
We've had a lot of rain the last few weeks in my area and my grass has shot up like crazy and today the dandelions are in full bloom. We've had a few sunny, dry days in between rain and if my late husband would still be around, he would have been edging and pulling weeds.....but he's not here and my yard is looking less than maintained.

I have a new (in 2022) lawn tractor, edger, trimmer and leaf blower in the garage. I'm willing to hire someone to cut my grass, etc. so I contacted a couple local companies yesterday to ask their rate. I have almost a 1/2 acre. One company quoted me $65/week and the other quote was $50+/week. o_O I'm getting SS only now so there's no way I can afford that. I'm thinking about asking my neighbor if his church has a Youth Group and if there would be anyone willing to do my yard. What do you think?
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Those prices aren't bad. In Calif, average cost of basic lawn maintenance is $100/wk. That's if they use their own equipment.

I can think of a few options:

Contacting the church youth group is an excellent idea. Maybe offer sandwiches and cold soft drinks or cookies or something as compensation.

Offer a lawn-care service your equipment in trade for a certain number of years free weekly service (I suggest finding a document that would work as a legally binding agreement) or sell it outright.

Get bi-weekly or even monthly service rather than weekly.
 
We have a contract with a lawn mowing company. We get 40 mowings per season for $3200. If we get a dry spell and mowing isn’t required, they deduct the number of mowings and give us credit for the next season. Mowing includes trimming. We also have a man that is up to date on trimming our shrubbery and he trims 3 times during the summer. We also use a pool company for cleaning and checking the water. We have a 3/4 acre lot.
 
Advocating for small lawn-care businesses, consider that their costs include fuel for their equipment - and it's a special fuel - fuel for their trucks, batteries and battery charging, tarps, bags, tools and maintaining the tools, and wear and tear on their work clothes, shoes, and gloves. Plus, after spending an hour or so out under the sun doing your yard, they clean up afterward and bear the cost of taking all the clippings and stuff to a disposal site.

You're on a budget, of course, and that is what it is. I'm just pointing out there's a lot of costs to provide this service.
 
Colleen said:
We've had a lot of rain the last few weeks in my area and my grass has shot up like crazy and today the dandelions are in full bloom. We've had a few sunny, dry days in between rain and if my late husband would still be around, he would have been edging and pulling weeds.....but he's not here and my yard is looking less than maintained.

I have a new (in 2022) lawn tractor, edger, trimmer and leaf blower in the garage. I'm willing to hire someone to cut my grass, etc. so I contacted a couple local companies yesterday to ask their rate. I have almost a 1/2 acre. One company quoted me $65/week and the other quote was $50+/week. o_O I'm getting SS only now so there's no way I can afford that. I'm thinking about asking my neighbor if his church has a Youth Group and if there would be anyone willing to do my yard. What do you think?
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Ask your neighbour if there’s a church group. That’s a good idea. Most companies charge a lot but that’s because they have the equipment. I’m sure you can find a kid willing to do it for much less. Maybe they’ll post an advertisement for you. I also agree to try driving the John Deer tractor. 🚜
They’re actually fun & easy to drive. Maybe hire a kid to do whipper snipping
 
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I think you might be able to find someone who will do it for a little less. Keep looking. Check out who your neighbors are getting to do their lawn. Sometimes you can get a better price if the service is already working in the same neighborhood. I never have the lawn guy come out when the grass stops growing...usually August.

It's not difficult to use the tractor. I use a John Deere myself. Would you be willing to try it?
 
If you have all that equipment, find someone willing to use yours for a much cheaper fee. Call Me Kate mentioned Next Door here and I agree. It's a good place to look for this. Also, if some neighbor or friend knows how to use your equipment, perhaps they could show you how to do these things yourself. I'd love to give it a try were I in this situation.
 
my husband died in August...we have a self propelled mower and I had diminished the grass area substantially..I am doing it..no weed eating necessary..although ..my son in law mowed last Saturday for me..i hope to keep it going..
there's other things outside that are quite a job tho..I keep plugging along
 
I'm in a similar situation. My husband died in 2020 and was meticulous about the yard. I sold the riding mower the following year and weed eater. I am handicapped so can't try to do myself. I'm in central Indiana with .9 acres but not a lot of trees, etc. to mow around and it's gone up to $65/week and then $75 for spraying for weeds in the flower beds and driveway. It's a cost I have to budget each year as I don't want to live in assisted living. There was a lot of things my husband did that I now have to pay for. You'll find a way if you want to stay in your home.
 
Colleen said:
We've had a lot of rain the last few weeks in my area and my grass has shot up like crazy and today the dandelions are in full bloom. We've had a few sunny, dry days in between rain and if my late husband would still be around, he would have been edging and pulling weeds.....but he's not here and my yard is looking less than maintained.

I have a new (in 2022) lawn tractor, edger, trimmer and leaf blower in the garage. I'm willing to hire someone to cut my grass, etc. so I contacted a couple local companies yesterday to ask their rate. I have almost a 1/2 acre. One company quoted me $65/week and the other quote was $50+/week. o_O I'm getting SS only now so there's no way I can afford that. I'm thinking about asking my neighbor if his church has a Youth Group and if there would be anyone willing to do my yard. What do you think?
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We have a large garden front and rear, it takes a lot of upkeep. We have had a husband and wife team look after our garden for the last ten years. They charge us £60, which is about $75 in Uncle Sam's shekels. That's for the two of them, for about three to four hours. They are not in business and are retired. Living on their pension is tight, so this is a helpful top-up and they are both still quite active. They said that they actually look forward to their weekly "job."
 
Me too Pappy (at #14 above). Just reinstated my lawn service at $40 a pop. Took a year off trying to do it myself. Corner house. Just too much anymore. Probably get by with twice a month until June-Sep. Then it's a weekly thing here.

Cutting the grass is not that big a thing. Still do it in the back yard. Deal is HOA is hard on your back if sidewalks are not 'properly edged.' That's in the too-hard-to-do box for me anymore.
 
1/2 acre is a good amount. We have 3/4 acre and it keeps me very busy. Is there any way you could mow with the rider and then have someone finish it all with other tools? This could cut down the cost a lot. Trimming does not have to be done weekly if it Is done aggressively (I will trim almost down to the dirt and won’t trim again for a month). Take care who does the trimming around small trees - this can easily kill them.

I hope you can get some help with this.
 
@Colleen ... I did a google search for ... free lawn care for seniors pennsylvania
That link is the google search results. Maybe you could look through them for some ideas.

I think you have an excellent idea contacting your church. I wonder if there are any state or local senior agencies where you live that might offer ideas or know of an organization in your area that helps seniors around their home?
 
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Some good ideas above. I would look for retired people using your equipment or a sole proprietor (though they might miss some appointments)

Just wondering out loud ... has anyone with a fenced yard tried goats?
 
You clearly live on lots of land. Our house has a small front yard and a courtyard with a holly tree and various plants/flowers. When we bought our house in 2006, the previous owner introduced us to his lawn guy, who is a sweet, honest older man. He has charged us $25 per week for 18 years. He has a key to the gate to our courtyard and I leave cash in an envelope on the gate each week. He speaks little English, so when we are traveling I go into Google Translate and leave him a note in Spanish. He is getting up in years, but he still gets up on his ladder to trim the holly tree.

I'm guessing he's in his 70's, so I fear we will have to get a new lawn service soon but as long as he is capable I will continue paying him, even if I personally have to do a bit of trimming and fertilizing myself.
 

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