Achieving a healthy, lush lawn takes work. You can choose to do it yourself with store-bought products or hire a professional lawn care company. Either way, the process takes time, money, and effort—how much depends on your goals and priorities. Consider the following pros, cons, and factors related to deciding whether you should tackle lawn care yourself or hire a professional.

Lawn Care Factors to Consider First

Before you make any decision about lawn care, there are certain conditions to consider first.

1. Lawn Size. Limited lawn space could be easier to handle on your own. Acres of grass and landscaping may be better suited for professional services.
2. Schedule. This goes for you and your lawn. Do you know the right time of year to handle your specific lawn care needs such as aerating, seeding, fertilizing, watering, and mowing? A professional does! Do you have time to tackle all of these regular tasks? Professional services are more convenient for busy home and business owners.
3. Budget. Both DIY and professional lawn care come with some costs. DIY can be more affordable if you know exactly what products you need. You could end up spending more if you purchase the wrong thing or end up killing your grass and plants. You also still need to factor in equipment rental for some of the larger tasks.
4. Experience. If you’ve been tending to your lawn and garden for years and it brings you peace and contentment, no one can take that away from you. But if you’re new to lawn care and need advice, professionals provide valuable expertise.

Sometimes the choice is easy, either you want to take care of your lawn yourself or you don’t. But if you’ve considered the factors above and are still unsure of what to do, there are some additional pros and cons to ponder.

Pros and Cons of DIY Lawn Care

Many homeowners lust over a lush green lawn. The feeling of soft grass under your feet can be a wonderful, grounding experience. It can also be exhausting, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of taking care of your lawn yourself.

Pros:

• Cost-Effective. You’ll save money on labor costs.
• Flexible. Once you understand your lawn’s specific needs, you can schedule tasks at a time that’s right for you and your lawn.
• Control. Only use the products and methods you’re comfortable with.
• Experience. Learn about a wide range of lawn care tasks.
• Satisfaction. Take pride in maintaining your own lawn.

Cons:

• Commitment. Proper lawn care requires regular attention.
• Costs. You’ll need to purchase and maintain your own equipment or rent machinery when needed.
• Trial and Error: It takes time and effort to learn the basics. You may make costly mistakes along the way.
• No Guarantees. Results vary depending on the products and methods you use. The outcome depends on your knowledge and consistent effort.

If the pros outweigh the cons, go ahead and give DIY a try. But if you’ve tried to take care of your lawn yourself and are feeling tired, overwhelmed, and your grass isn’t looking great, remember there’s another option.

Pros and Cons of Professional Lawn Care

Whether you’ve tried the DIY route and derailed or you’d rather skip right to a professional, here are some things you should know.

Pros:

• Expertise. There’s a lot to learn about grass, weeds, pests, disease, fertilizers, aerators…the list goes on.
• Equipment. A professional lawn care company has commercial-grade products and tools that are typically more efficient and effective than what’s found in stores.
• Safe. Professionals are trained in the proper use and application of chemicals and equipment.
• Convenient. Simply schedule a lawn service on a consistent basis and you never have to worry about remembering the right time of year to tackle each task.
• Results. The right company can help achieve a lush, healthy lawn quickly and efficiently.

Cons:

• Cost. Experience may be worth it, but it can be expensive, especially if you have a large lawn that requires a lot of work.
• Schedule. Companies stick to a regular maintenance schedule that may not always align with yours.
• Less Control. Professionals use the products and methods they deem necessary to properly take care of your lawn.
• Dependence. Putting lawn care into someone else’s hands means you trust they will provide quality service.

While you won’t have to dedicate time and energy to lawn care tasks, you do need to do your research on choosing the right lawn care company. May we make another suggestion?

Choose Green Image Lawn Care

As dedicated agronomists, the Green Image Lawn Care team uses science-backed products and processes to promote healthy, beautiful lawns. Our methods are not only effective, but they’re also environmentally friendly to support homeowners, businesses, and the world beyond your backyard. Once you’ve considered all the pros, cons, and lawn care factors, take the next step toward a vibrant lawn and call 717-900-8144 for a free quote.