DIY Lawn Care vs Hiring a Service: A Complete Cost Breakdown
February 13, 2026 · LifeStarter Team
Your lawn needs attention. The question is: do you spend your Saturday behind a mower, or write a check and let someone else handle it?
It seems like a simple cost comparison, but there are hidden expenses on both sides that most people miss. We broke down every cost — equipment, supplies, time, and service fees — to give you the complete picture.
The Cost of DIY Lawn Care
Let’s assume an average suburban lawn: 5,000 square feet in the Midwest.
Equipment (One-Time Costs)
| Equipment | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push mower | $250 | $400 | $600+ |
| String trimmer | $60 | $120 | $200+ |
| Leaf blower | $50 | $100 | $200+ |
| Broadcast spreader | $30 | $60 | $100+ |
| Edger | $40 | $80 | $150+ |
| Total | $430 | $760 | $1,250+ |
For equipment reviews and buying guides, check out MowGuide.com.
Annual Supply Costs
| Supply | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Fertilizer (4 applications) | $80-$120 |
| Grass seed (overseeding) | $30-$60 |
| Weed control | $25-$50 |
| Gas/oil/maintenance | $60-$100 |
| Soil amendments | $20-$40 |
| Total | $215-$370 |
The Hidden Cost: Your Time
This is what most DIY cost comparisons leave out.
For a 5,000 sq ft lawn, expect:
- Mowing: 45-60 minutes, weekly (28-32 times/year) = 22-32 hours/year
- Edging & trimming: 15-20 minutes per mowing = 7-10 hours/year
- Fertilizing: 30 minutes, 4 times/year = 2 hours/year
- Aeration & overseeding: 2-3 hours, once/year
- Leaf cleanup: 10-15 hours in fall
Total: 43-62 hours per year
If you value your time at $25/hour, that’s $1,075-$1,550 in opportunity cost. At $50/hour, it’s $2,150-$3,100.
The Cost of Professional Lawn Care
Mowing Service Only
| Lawn Size | Per Visit | Annual (30 visits) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (2,000 sq ft) | $30-$45 | $900-$1,350 |
| Average (5,000 sq ft) | $40-$60 | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Large (10,000 sq ft) | $55-$85 | $1,650-$2,550 |
Full-Service (Mowing + Fertilization + Weed Control + Aeration)
| Lawn Size | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Small | $1,400-$2,200 |
| Average | $2,000-$3,200 |
| Large | $3,000-$4,500 |
The Real Comparison
For a 5,000 sq ft lawn over 5 years:
| DIY | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $975-$1,130 | $2,000-$3,200 |
| Year 2-5 | $860-$1,480 (×4) | $8,000-$12,800 |
| 5-Year Total | $4,415-$7,050 | $10,000-$16,000 |
DIY saves $5,500-$9,000 over five years — but costs you 215-310 hours of weekends.
When DIY Makes Sense
✅ You enjoy being outdoors ✅ Your lawn is under 5,000 sq ft ✅ You have storage space for equipment ✅ You’re physically able and willing ✅ You want to learn a useful skill
If this is you, grab a copy of Lush Lawns — it’s the most comprehensive DIY lawn care guide available, covering everything from soil science to seasonal schedules.
When Hiring Makes Sense
✅ Your time is worth $50+/hour ✅ You have a large or complex lawn ✅ You travel frequently ✅ You have physical limitations ✅ You’d rather spend weekends with family
The Hybrid Approach
Many smart homeowners do both:
- DIY the mowing (biggest ongoing cost of hiring)
- Hire for fertilization and aeration (specialized knowledge, 2-5 visits/year)
This typically costs $200-$400/year for professional fertilization while you handle the rest. Best of both worlds.
Run Your Own Numbers
Every lawn is different. Use our DIY vs Professional Lawn Care Calculator to get a personalized cost comparison based on your lawn size, region, and current equipment.
Your lawn, your call. 🌿
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