[Pmount]

So we are 2 weeks from coming down to hopefully purchase. How may folks take care of your own yard vs hiring it done? What about other things like pest control and other maintain economic issues? Any advise appreciated!
Phil

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Pmount

So we are 2 weeks from coming down to hopefully purchase. How may folks take care of your own yard vs hiring it done? What about other things like pest control and other maintain economic issues? Any advise appreciated!

Phil

Most homes have yard maintenance, pest control, etc. performed by outside companies. There are numerous to choose from. DO NOT pick one that solicits door to door. Ask friends and others for recommendations. There are lots of fly by night swindlers who will try to rip you off. The good news is there are also very good and reputable companies here.

[asianthree]

We use deans for mow, pest, fertilization. You never pay up front, no contract, and it's a big company so won't disappear with your money. They answer you call and fix it

[Jima64]

Be sure and look at past threads concerning some companies that demand a full year payment in advance. Without naming any they have proven to provide terrible service.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We use deans for mow, pest, fertilization. You never pay up front, no contract, and it's a big company so won't disappear with your money. They answer you call and fix it

Very true.

[Barefoot]

The search button (above) will yield a plethora of past threads and information on lawn care companies.
We use a full-service company for lawn care and pest control because we're seasonal residents.
Good for you that you're asking these questions and doing your research. Many of us got burned in the beginning.

[Goober III]

We mow our own postage-stamp-size yard, and have since we first moved here back in 2000. It's great exercise, and I save that $600/year I'd be paying some guy with six teeth.
Let's see...15 years, $600 per...heck, I'm up 9,000 bucks! And my 25 year old Troybilt still cranks on the first pull. We also do our own fertilizing, bug treatment, etc.
Hmmm...As I approach 80, I may have to slow down a bit.
Nah!

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Goober III

We mow our own postage-stamp-size yard, and have since we first moved here back in 2000. It's great exercise, and I save that $600/year I'd be paying some guy with six teeth.
Let's see...15 years, $600 per...heck, I'm up 9,000 bucks! And my 25 year old Troybilt still cranks on the first pull. We also do our own fertilizing, bug treatment, etc.
Hmmm...As I approach 80, I may have to slow down a bit.
Nah!

We also fertilize our own, mow our own lawn and do our own pest care without issues. Used to pay over $600 a year for it. Found out it's not that hard to do afterall.

[fred53]

First year we hired Massey to fertilize/kill weeds and such...also they took care of bug problems...cost was $800/yr(yes it was/is paid up front and there have been zero problems with that and they respond within a few days every time)...now I fertilize the lawn/shrubs, but still use Massey for indoor bug issues(oh and that includes fire ant mounts outside)...cost is $200/yr up front. I fertilize 4x/yr at a cost of $160 for the year.

I have always done my own mowing(most of the people i see doing it have their teeth ;-), edging and trimming. I bought a Stihl Kombi system with blower, edger and weed whacker. For mowing I bought a self drive Honda mower(least expensive one at HD). Takes me 45 minutes to mow and takes 1/4 gal of gas(I have a corner lot). I trim and edge about every 2 weeks in spring summer and fall, but for about 4 months in late fall and winter I only fertilize once.

During the growing season(summer mostly)it takes me about 3 to 6 hours a month to care for my own lawn. The hardest part is trimming shrubs and picking up the debris.

"advice" not "advise"

[SisalPhil]

We currently have a service $55 a month and $53 when the apply fertilizer, weed control etc. We have a corner lot and have our house for sale. We decided when we move (smaller lot) to our new home we will be investing in a lawn mower, weed eater & blower (around $600). The extension agents can give you their recommendations on a fertilization program.

In the past we had Service Smart the worst company.. Look it up and keep away from them. Hope this helps..

[Pmount]

Thank you all for your replies. I wanted to make sure that if I decide to do this I wouldnt get empty beer cans thrown at me! Full is fine. I still am used to doing the yard work and of course we have no idea of size of yard and time involved because we have not bought a home yet. I can see termite protection but I think I can handle the yard and fetilizing. Thanks for the encouragement that some still do this themselves. Now...need to dream something else to worry about!

Phil