Zach Hendrix - CTO, Entrepreneur & Co-Founder at GreenPal | GreenPal
A recent survey of 132 homeowners revealed diverse motivations behind whether they mow their lawns themselves or hire a professional. According to the findings, 74 homeowners choose to mow their lawns on their own, with 63.5% citing cost savings as the primary reason. In contrast, 58 homeowners prefer hiring professionals, with 65.5% indicating time-saving as their main motivation.
For those who handle mowing themselves, saving money is a significant factor. One respondent mentioned that they view hiring a professional as an unnecessary expense and believe they save by doing it themselves. The cost analysis suggests that purchasing necessary equipment like a riding lawn mower could amount to $1,750 initially. If self-mowing is done around 30 times per year, the annual cost is approximately $1,080 compared to $1,350 for professional services — resulting in yearly savings of about $270.
However, this financial advantage comes with the consideration that it would take nearly seven years for a homeowner to recoup their initial investment in equipment.
In contrast, those opting for professional services prioritize convenience and reclaiming time otherwise spent on yard maintenance. The average person spends roughly 384 hours of their life mowing lawns — equivalent to about 16 days — which many find valuable enough to justify outsourcing the task.
Some respondents expressed trust issues with external service providers but noted platforms like GreenPal streamline finding reliable professionals by vetting companies based on experience and client satisfaction.
The survey underscores that while saving money drives some homeowners' decisions to mow themselves, others are willing to pay for professional expertise and time-saving benefits.