Is Hiring a Lawn Care Company the Frugal Choice?

Is Hiring a Lawn Care Company the Frugal Choice?

Frugality is about more than just saving money. It’s about making deliberate choices that maximize value, whether that’s in dollars, time, or peace of mind. One common homeowner debate is whether hiring a lawn care company can ever be considered the frugal choice. On the surface, mowing your own grass seems cheaper. But when you dig into the costs of equipment, the hours invested, and the value of free time, the answer isn’t always so simple.

The Numbers: DIY vs. Lawn Service

From a strictly financial perspective, doing it yourself almost always comes out as the less expensive choice. 

A decent push mower costs $300–$600 and can last more than a decade with minimal upkeep—about $20–$50 per year for oil, filters, and occasional blade sharpening. Even riding mowers, which can cost $3,000–$6,000, pay for themselves after a few seasons compared to the cost of weekly service.

Professional mowing, on the other hand, averages between $25 and $150 per visit, depending on yard size and frequency. Homeowners in many regions reported paying between $100 and $200 per month for routine service. One Florida homeowner reported that his crew charges $130 per month, year-round. Another in Indiana paid $60 per week, totaling $1,500 annually.

Looking at dozens of homeowner accounts, over 40% flatly said, “It’s never cheaper to hire it out.” From that perspective, DIY is the textbook frugal option.

The Time Factor: What Is Your Hour Worth?

Where the debate gets interesting is when time enters the equation. A quarter-acre lawn can take 60–90 minutes to mow, edge, and clean up. Larger properties stretch that to two or three hours per week. By comparison, a professional crew with commercial equipment can finish in 15–20 minutes.

Around one-third of commenters emphasized this tradeoff, noting that while DIY saves money, hiring out effectively “buys back” time. As one put it: “Paying $40 for a mow that saves me two hours means I’m buying my time back at $20 an hour.”

For many, the freedom to spend Saturday with family instead of sweating behind a mower is worth the extra $100 a month.

Health, Safety, and Life Circumstances

For some homeowners, the decision isn’t about dollars; it’s about health and safety. Roughly 20% of commenters pointed out that mowing can create risks that outweigh cost savings. In these cases, hiring a lawn service can actually be the more frugal choice in the bigger picture.

• Heat and climate risks: In hot, humid regions like Florida, mowing can raise the risk of heat exhaustion or dehydration. One Tampa resident noted that $130 a month was cheaper than an ER visit.

• Injury concerns: Uneven yards, slopes, or physical limitations (such as knee or back issues) can make mowing hazardous. Several people said they only hired out after injuries made DIY impractical.

• Allergies and medical conditions: Grass pollen, asthma, or recovery from surgeries can turn mowing into more than an inconvenience, it can be dangerous.

• Age and energy: Many homeowners mowed for decades but switched to services in retirement, seeing it as a well-earned expense after years of saving.

As one commenter summed it up: “I saved enough money for 22 years to justify paying someone now.”

Pride, Exercise, and Satisfaction

Of course, not everyone wants to hand the job away. Roughly a quarter of voices in the discussion said they enjoy mowing. It’s free exercise, an excuse to get outdoors, and a source of pride. For these homeowners, even a low-cost service wouldn’t be attractive because the chore itself is part of their weekly routine.

Others fall somewhere in the middle, outsourcing when life is busy, traveling, or during health setbacks, then returning to DIY when circumstances allow.

The Decision Get's a Little Complicated in 2025

Technology and creative approaches give homeowners more options than ever. There are things like robot mowers that take all the work out of mowing, but as any homeowner knows, these aren't always perfect solutions. 

• Electric and battery mowers: Higher upfront costs ($400–$1,000) but low maintenance and no gas expenses.

• Robot mowers: Expensive initially, but some users report payback within a couple of seasons.

• Low-maintenance lawns: Clover, moss, or wildflowers reduce or even eliminate mowing needs.

• Neighborhood help: Hiring a local teen often costs half of a professional crew.

These middle-ground solutions show that “frugal” doesn’t have to mean either doing everything yourself or paying top rates.

The Bottom Line: What Does Frugal Mean to You?

So, is hiring a lawn care company the frugal choice? The majority of homeowners, about 60% say no. Strictly by the math, DIY almost always costs less. But frugality isn’t only about cutting every expense. It’s about spending intentionally.

If hiring a service gives you back time with family, prevents health risks, or removes a source of stress, then it may well be the smarter frugal choice for your circumstances. Use GreenPal to find a lawn care service provider that fits within your budget.