Time spent on lawn maintenance can be difficult, especially for new homeowners. Some people want to do all the lawn care by themselves, while others know that they won’t have time to keep up with a larger yard. Here are some pros and cons of DIY lawn care to consider:
PROS
Time Spent Outdoors. If you love spending time outdoors, doing your own lawn care can be a great way to get some fresh air and Vitamin D while maintaining your property. Plus, you can sit back and relax outside with an ice-cold beverage and a sense of accomplishment once the work is done.
Great Workout. If you enjoy working up a sweat, DIY lawn care is a great option because it provides an extra dose of exercise. Weekly or biweekly mowing burns some calories, and if you have kids who can help lift bags of clippings or leaves, lawn care can be a workout for the entire family.
Creative Freedom. New homeowners who want to do their own lawn care have the ultimate say in every decision that’s made when it comes to their outdoor space. You can pick up a plant that you like and add it to your garden without having to consult anyone else. This freedom is great for anyone who may have trouble communicating ideas with a lawn service or for those who take pride in being able to do it themselves.
CONS
Equipment Upkeep. It can take a lot of tools and machinery to keep a lawn in tip-top condition. When moving into a new home, you may have trouble purchasing such equipment on top of the usual costs of moving. Allowing a lawn service to do the work keeps you from having to purchase lawn mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers. These items can also be tricky to maintain, and not having to handle maintenance saves you from buying gas, oil or replacement parts.
Convenience. You might think paying for a lawn service can be quite expensive, but it’s a catch-22 of time and money. You might also be surprised by how cheap some lawn services can be. Regardless, the price might be worth it for the sake of convenience. DIY lawn care typically takes up weekend time that could be spent relaxing on your days off. Choosing a lawn service could be the ultimate way to save time, and it adds convenience to a busy lifestyle by not having to worry about getting the lawn care done every week.
Regulation Compliance. In an area with a homeowners association, there are certain rules about lawn upkeep; this is another case where doing it yourself can be a bit more stressful. Allowing a week to go by without tending to your lawn can cause you to be out of compliance with the neighborhood rules and regulations. Hiring a lawn service to mow, feed and maintain your lawn regularly could save you precious time and energy.
Knowing the pros and cons of DIY lawn care is important for new homeowners trying to balance moving into a new home and neighborhood. Being aware of what you can handle in terms of lawn size and maintenance is a good thing to remember when budgeting the costs of owning a home.
Source: Katie Kuchta/RISMedia’s Housecall
