Who knew that mowing grass was so expensive???

Might be something for Colleen to think about. Insurance if someone should be injured while doing work on her property. It's not easy trying to remember all that needs to be careful about.
 

Murrmurr said:
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.
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1 expensive thing to add. Liability insurance.
 

And to think, when I was a kid in the 1960’s too young yet to work in the factories during the summer, I mowed some lawns for as little as $2! I had three or four lawns that I took care of. You really don’t see kids hustling that much to shovel snow or mow lawns for bucks these days. No kids in my area state their availability to do lawn work; guess it’s beneath them. A neighbor once offered their kid to do weeding for pay ; he worked a few hours one morning, then quit.

I still do my own lawn work as a professional company would charge at least $50 per mow in my area. I hurt until halfway into the next day and eat painkillers, but the money I save is a balm, too… 💰
 
JBR said:
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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They have their own equipment and trailers. They do a lot of yard maintenance in my area.
 
Murrmurr said:
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.
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I had asked for a monthly rate but they said they only do weekly rates and have a contract to that effect.
 
birdy said:
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?
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I agree that using a John Deer tractor is quite easy
Colleen said:
I had asked for a monthly rate but they said they only do weekly rates and have a contract to that effect.
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Did they give you a weekly quote?
Ask if you can get a rain check on rainy days like some other members have. Try and negotiate for a better deal.
 
I pay 50.00 every week ( unless rain prevents mowing )and have about 3/4 an acre to be cut.

The man does a very good job and also weed wacks near my mailbox and garbage bin.

I do the other weed wacking jobs but I have an electric weed wacker and needed over 100 feet of extension cord to do the area he does near the road..

The electric weed wacker is the best stringer I ever bought but when I replace it I will go with a battery operated one.

Because I have a foot condition both of my podiatrists recommended years ago that I should not use my snow blower or mower anymore.

Most of what I have is on a slope and I could understand their point -foot problems cause balance problems... but I didn't tell them I still weed wack- I didn't want all that fun to be gone!

Some of my church's youth group helps people who need mowing-but these are usually kids who can't drive yet, so they help primarily in the small Village my church is in. As a matter of fact my church needs to hire a mower this year and also someone who will plow the snow as we get close to winter again.

My first cut will be next Thursday but I noticed many in the local villages were cutting last week.
I live 350 feet plus, higher then the villages and we are always one or two weeks behind the village weather patterns, and the growth pf our veg plants and flowers. Also always 5-6 degrees hotter in summer and that much colder in the winter.
 
CallMeKate said:
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?
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I don't expect anyone to do it for free so either a payment to the kid or a contribution to their church. It would be up to them.

I'd forgotten about nextdoor.com. I belonged when we lived in AZ so I'll change my profile location and check it out...thanks :)
 
shedevil7953 said:
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.
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Bless your heart. (((HUGS)))
 
Colleen said:
I'd forgotten about nextdoor.com. I belonged when we lived in AZ so I'll change my profile location and check it out...thanks :)
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You're very welcome. A few weeks ago we cleaned out the shed, attic, etc. and were going to head for the landfill. Checked Nextdoor and a guy was advertising that he picks up stuff from exactly that kind of clean-out. Couldn't believe it. He actually came the very same day, took it all away, and I was amazed and very grateful... no getting the car weighed and all that other stuff for a landfill dump-off. :giggle:
 
Naturally said:
@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.

One that might look promising is ... I Want To Mow Your Lawn

According to I Want To Mow Your Lawn and how it works ...

"I Want To Mow Your Lawn Inc is a non-profit organization that provides free lawn mowing services to elderly, veterans and disabled individuals through its network of volunteers across the USA. Our direct-to-consumer platform fields inquiries from clients and their loved ones, providing a valuable service to a growing demand in the market.

As we aim to connect those in need with available volunteers, it’s important to note that the nature of our volunteer-based model may influence the frequency and availability of our services."

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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Thanks for the info, however, I Want to Mow Your Lawn is no longer active according to the web page and I believe it was geared to the eastern part of PA. I'm in western PA.
 
Naturally said:
@Colleen ... was your husband a military veteran?
If so, maybe check veteran's organizations to see if they can help a veteran's widow out or have any ideas.
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No, he wasn't a veteran. He was born in 1940 so missed all of it. He never joined because he had worked since he was 12 years old so that was all he knew...working his whole life.
 
Colleen said:
Thanks for the info, however, I Want to Mow Your Lawn is no longer active according to the web page and I believe it was geared to the eastern part of PA. I'm in western PA.
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Yeah, I couldn't get their page to work either; when I put in my zip code, it just keeps taking me to a page asking me to donate or buy a t-shirt.
 
Colleen said:
Thanks for the info, however, I Want to Mow Your Lawn is no longer active according to the web page and I believe it was geared to the eastern part of PA. I'm in western PA.
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officerripley said:
Yeah, I couldn't get their page to work either; when I put in my zip code, it just keeps taking me to a page asking me to donate or buy a t-shirt.
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Sorry guys. I should have checked the link more closely before posting. "I Want To Mow Your Lawn" is a dud now I guess. Shoot
 
Coleen, I'm probably older than you and in a wheelchair, yet I can still climb onto my lawn mover, it there a reason you can't operate your lawn equipment?
BTW, some have suggested that you hire a "kid" to do lawn work. You have a teenager on a maiming, grinding, cutting machine- need I say more? First, you're not going to find one, and second, the legal liability to lose all you own is great.
 
My house is on about an acre of land. I pay $65/week for mowing and trimming. I have a seasonal contract with the lawn mowing company.
 
If you sold your riding lawnmower and put the money in a separate account just for weekly maintenance, how long would the funds last?
 
Colleen said:
I already have personal liability ($300,000) and medical in my homeowners policy :)
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I meant insurance for the lawn cutting business.
But, if you are lucky enough to find an ambitious teen to take care of your yard and he does get hurt, 300,000 may not be enough to cover if he loses part of a foot.
My wife knows that she wouldn't be able to maintain our home if I were to get shoved in the hole first. She already has a plan where she would sell our property and move into an apartment or condo.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
Coleen, I'm probably older than you and in a wheelchair, yet I can still climb onto my lawn mover, it there a reason you can't operate your lawn equipment?
BTW, some have suggested that you hire a "kid" to do lawn work. You have a teenager on a maiming, grinding, cutting machine- need I say more? First, you're not going to find one, and second, the legal liability to lose all you own is great.
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I guess you have forgotten that the US military has teenagers operating equipment that can kill people? In any case, the reality is that the grass cutting jobs will be filled by immigrant laborers. Jimb.
 

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