How do you determine which lawn care projects to do yourself and when to call in the pros? Here's how to make the right call for DIY vs hiring a company.
Maintaining a lush and healthy lawn is a point of pride for many homeowners, but the age-old question remains when it comes to some tasks around the yard: should you tackle it yourself or enlist the help of a professional?
It can be a difficult decision to make. You may even ask yourself questions like, “Is it really worth hiring a landscaper for this small task?” Or, “What I read about this task sounds easy, but will I get in over my head?”
At Mullen Brothers Landscaping, we understand the dilemma, and in this guide, we'll help you navigate the decision-making process for your lawn maintenance. With advantages and disadvantages to both, we’ll help you understand the key factors that can influence your choice.
DIY Lawn Maintenance
We get it - sometimes you just want to put in the work yourself. And you’re not alone, many homeowners enjoy working in their yards. Plus, there are a bunch of benefits to maintaining your lawn yourself.
Why Choose to DIY for Lawn Maintenance?
- Cost Savings: The top reason for tackling lawn care on your own is the potential for cost savings. When purchasing your own equipment, the cost is front-loaded but can be more budget-friendly in the long run. Plus, you’re saving on labor.
- Personal Satisfaction: There's a unique joy that comes with tending to your own lawn. The sense of accomplishment and connection to your outdoor space can be deeply rewarding.
- Control Over the Process: Some homeowners want things done a certain way. Doing it yourself allows you to have direct control over every aspect of your lawn care. From choosing the right fertilizer to deciding when to mow, you make the call.
What Common Lawn Maintenance Tasks Do Homeowners Choose to DIY?
Here’s a list of the common DIY tasks most homeowners take on with their lawns.
- Mowing: Nothing instantly changes the look of a home like a good mow. Mowing is essential for achieving that pristine, neatly trimmed look that provides curb appeal! By learning the right techniques, homeowners can ensure their lawns are not only aesthetically pleasing but also conducive to healthy grass growth.
- Watering: Water is a key ingredient to a happy lawn. Many homeowners take watering into their own hands. This DIY task is crucial for sustaining a vibrant green lawn.
- Weeding: Weeding is another lawn maintenance task you may decide to do on your own. By removing weeds, you'll prevent these unwanted intruders from compromising your lawn's health and aesthetics.
By doing these common DIY tasks yourself, you’ll get to put your own spin on your landscape care, get a lush and thriving lawn, and even save some money in the process.
Potential Pitfalls to DIY Lawn Maintenance
- Time Commitment: Finding the time for lawn maintenance can be challenging - especially for those with packed schedules (aka, all of us!). It's understandable that dedicating your weekends to yard work might not be everyone's ideal way to unwind.
The challenge gets even trickier during the fall season here in New England, where daylight comes at a premium. That can make it hard to find the time for your Fall Cleanup. Trying to squeeze in some lawn care after work always sounds like a good idea until you remember how you feel after a full shift.
- Equipment Challenges: If you’ve ever had to try to get a finicky small engine started, you know how frustrating and time-consuming it can be. With so much lawn equipment powered by small engines, faulty equipment can easily derail your DIY project.
It’s also about having the right tool for the job. At Mullen Brothers, we use a lot of tools - hedge trimmers, edgers, pole saws, wood chippers, seed spreaders, and more. Not every homeowner has access to these same tools. If it’s a big job, professionals can provide heavy machinery and specialty tools to get the job done right.
But, by taking the time to read through this guide, you’re avoiding one of the most common pitfalls of DIY lawn maintenance and that’s understanding which tasks actually need professional care versus the ones you can complete yourself.
While the hands-on approach can be fulfilling for routine tasks, certain aspects such as pest control, disease prevention, and intricate landscape edging may demand the specialized knowledge and experience that professionals bring to the table.
Professional Lawn Maintenance
Then, there are times when it’s better to call in a professional to avoid costly mistakes.
Advantages
- Expertise: Professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Their expertise can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of your lawn.
- Time Savings: For busy homeowners, time is a precious commodity. Hiring professionals allows you to enjoy a well-maintained lawn without sacrificing your weekends.
- Quality Results: Professional care often leads to superior results. Plus, many professionals will stand by the quality of their work.
Lawn Maintenance Services Offered by Mullen Brothers Landscaping
- Lawn mowing
- Landscape maintenance
- Spring/Fall Cleanups
- Dethatching
- Mulching
- Edging
- Weeding
- Tree and Shrub Pruning
- And more!
See our full list of services here.
How to Decide: DIY or Professional
Assess Your Skills and Comfort Level
How comfortable do you feel using the equipment? Does the job require more than a basic skill? Before deciding, assess your skills and comfort level with the tasks you’re considering.
Budget Considerations
It’s always a good idea to get a quote on your job. Most landscaping companies, including Mullen Brothers, will offer this for free. Then, evaluate the quote against what you’ve budgeted for the task and what you might save by doing it yourself.
While DIY might seem like the most cost-effective option, sometimes running the numbers will reveal that hiring a professional isn’t that much more.
Time Constraints
Consider your schedule. If time is a constraint, professional services can be a valuable investment.
Finding the Right Balance for Your Lawn
Here at Mullen Brothers, the majority of our clients use a blend of DIY tasks and our professional services for their lawn maintenance tasks.
For example, some of our customers schedule us twice a year for a professional Spring and Fall cleanup and then take on the mowing, watering, and weeding themselves.
Others just have us handle all the maintenance of their outdoor space.
The best decision for you will depend on your specific needs.
We believe that a balance between DIY and professional services is key to a thriving lawn.