Homeowners choosing between DIY lawn care and TruGreen often think about costs first. They compare the money, effort, and time needed for each option. This helps them make a wise choice.
TruGreen’s TruHealth program provides 10 visits a year for $645 for a 7,000 sq ft lawn. That’s about $64.50 each visit. DIY lawn care, like using Milorganite fertilizers, costs about $24.00 per use. This adds up to $168.00 a year for 7 uses. DIY herbicide spray costs around $41.44 for two applications a year.
TruGreen offers many services, from feeding the lawn to fighting bugs. They make things easy with automatic payments and good support. On the other hand, DIY lets you tailor your lawn care. You can fix problems right away because you’re always there. So, deciding between DIY and professional lawn care means looking closely at the costs.
Introduction to Lawn Care Options
Choosing between DIY lawn care and professional services like TruGreen can be tough. Each option offers unique benefits and challenges. It’s a critical choice for those aiming for a lush, healthy yard.
Overview of DIY Lawn Care
DIY lawn care is great for saving money and having control. Homeowners can pick their fertilizers and weed killers. Yet, the cost of products and tools can become high without discounts or experience.
Starting DIY lawn care involves learning a lot. Knowing about soil, thatch, and the right care for each season is challenging. For many, tackling pests or the perfect mower height is rewarding, but hard work. This makes some consider professional lawn care as an easier option.
Insights into TruGreen Services
TruGreen offers professional lawn care with wide expertise. They handle everything from soil pH to pests. Their plans like TruHealth and TruComplete cater to various needs, ensuring a custom lawn care solution.
Choosing TruGreen means access to expert services and no guesswork. Annual costs range from $617.20 to $962.95 for a typical yard in Atlanta. It’s a higher initial cost, but the convenience and expertise make it worth it.
TruGreen stands behind their work with a Healthy Lawn Guarantee. They offer regular, scheduled care adapted to your lawn’s needs. It’s a strong choice for those valuing quality and reliability.
Pros and Cons of TruGreen Services
TruGreen is seen as a leading lawn care provider in the United States. It boasts a customer satisfaction score of 97 out of 100 and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They offer a wide range of lawn care services. But is it the right choice for you? Let’s look at the pros and cons to help you decide.
Advantages of TruGreen
TruGreen provides great convenience. Their team includes PhD-certified specialists to ensure your lawn gets the best care. TruGreen serves 48 states, making its services accessible and affordable for many homeowners.
- Wide Range of Services: TruGreen offers multiple services like fertilization, soil amendment, and pest management. This variety meets many lawn care needs.
- Healthy Lawn Guarantee: TruGreen promises free re-treatments if initial treatments fail. This ensures reliability and consistent lawn health.
- Customizable Plans: TruGreen has five plans – TruHealth, TruComplete, TruSignature, TruNatural, and TruMaintenance. Each plan can be tailored to fit your needs, helping you manage your lawn care budget.
Disadvantages of TruGreen
Despite its benefits, TruGreen has drawbacks. The main concern for some is the cost. The plans can be expensive, costing between $640 to $1,300 annually for half an acre. Comparing these costs with other lawn care options is vital.
- Higher Costs: TruGreen’s quality services come at a high price. This might not fit everyone’s budget.
- Lack of Control: With TruGreen, homeowners might find they have less say in their lawn care process. Some prefer handling or adjusting their lawn treatments themselves.
- Varied Customer Reviews: Feedback on TruGreen is mixed. While some customers are happy, others have concerns about communication and service cancellations.
When choosing a lawn care service, it’s essential to consider both positives and negatives. TruGreen has a strong reputation and offers a broad range of services. However, its costs and potential for limited personal control may not appeal to everyone.
Pros and Cons of DIY Lawn Care
Choosing between DIY lawn care and hiring pros involves looking at pros and cons. DIY gives you control and can save money but needs your time and know-how.
Advantages of DIY Lawn Care
Doing your own lawn care can save you money. You can buy organic fertilizer cheaply, for about $3.50 a bag. This makes it a good deal for your wallet.
You also get to decide when to treat your lawn. Using products like high-nitrogen fertilizers can make your grass grow fast.
DIY lawn care can be very satisfying, too. It feels great to take care of your lawn yourself. This way, you get to know your yard better and what it needs.
Disadvantages of DIY Lawn Care
However, DIY lawn care isn’t always easy. Learning everything about lawn care can be hard. You need to know a lot about plants to fix lawn problems right.
The price of supplies and equipment for DIY can add up. Though it might seem cheaper at first, it can cost as much as or more than paying for a service. For instance, three TruGreen services cost $876 a year for a small lawn. But, DIY subscriptions like Sunday and Lawnbright are around $368 a year for the same size.
You’ll need special tools for good lawn care. Stuff like spreaders and aerators are important but can be expensive upfront.
To wrap it up, DIY lawn care can be cheaper and rewarding. But, it takes learning, time, and money. Surveys show DIY fertilizing costs less usually. Yet, professional services might be best for those without much time or lawn care knowledge.
Cost Breakdown of TruGreen Services
Figuring out if it’s worth it to pay for professional lawn care, like TruGreen, versus doing it yourself takes some thought. We need to look closely at TruGreen’s prices and what they offer. This way, we can see which is best for taking care of our lawns.
TruGreen Service Pricing
TruGreen’s prices change a lot depending on your lawn’s size, where you live, and what your lawn needs. Bigger lawns mean using more stuff, which costs more. For example, a full TruGreen plan starts at $194.25 a year. This is about the same as buying your own fertilizers.
The basic plan covers just fertilization. But, the more expensive plans deal with weeds, bugs, and even tree care. You can pick the level of service that fits your budget.
Annual Plans and Subscriptions
TruGreen has different yearly plans that fit various budgets and needs. They go from simple fertilizer plans to all-in-one services. The full-service options include a lot of care like fertilizer, aeration, and weed control. If you’re not happy with the results, they’ll even do extra treatments. This shows how TruGreen can be more cost-effective compared to DIY.
- Essentials Plan: Basic fertilization starting at $194.25/year.
- Complete Plan: Full-service including weed and pest control, priced at around $746/year on average.
- Premium Plan: Enhanced services, including additional tree and shrub care.
TruGreen also offers discounts for new customers and bundles, making it cheaper. When comparing full-service to subscription plans from others like Lawnbright and Sunday Lawn Care, subscriptions seem more affordable. The average cost for a subscription is $474 a year, versus $749 for full-service.
| Service Provider | Average Cost (Annual) |
|---|---|
| TruGreen | $746 |
| Lawn Love | $615 |
| Weed Man | $627 |
| Lawn Doctor | $861 |
| SavATree | $540 |
| Sunday Lawn Care | $566 |
| Lawnbright | $374 |
Looking closely at TruGreen’s prices and plans helps us understand lawn care costs better. Knowing the difference between TruGreen and DIY options helps homeowners choose wisely. They can pick what fits their lawn needs and wallet best.
Cost Analysis of DIY Lawn Care
Starting DIY lawn care requires looking at all costs for a healthy lawn. The price of materials and tools can really add up. Yet, it’s key to invest in them for a lush green yard.
Lawn Care Product Costs
One big cost in DIY lawn care is buying things like fertilizers and weed killers. These products’ prices change with brand and quality, but expect to spend $50 to $100 each season. It’s smart to figure out your total cost by considering your lawn’s size.
DIY Lawn Equipment Expenses
Having the right tools is important for DIY lawn care. Basic tools are a must, but things like aerators and seeders help keep your lawn healthy. An aerator may cost $100 to $200, and a seeder’s price varies from $50 to $300.
- Lawn care expenses DIY vs professional: Even though DIY equipment is pricey at first, it saves money over time compared to professional services.
- Saving money on lawn care: Buying fertilizers and weed killers in bulk can also save a lot, especially in wholesale.
In the end, while professional lawn care like TruGreen costs $450 to $2,000 a year, DIY gives you more control. You can budget better and customize your approach.
The Cost of DIY Lawn Care vs TruGreen
Taking care of your lawn involves some costs that you need to know about. In our DIY lawn care cost comparison, we’ll look at both monthly and seasonal expenses. This helps us see how these costs add up over time.
Monthly and Seasonal Expenses
First, we’ll compare the monthly costs for doing it yourself versus using TruGreen. The frequency of lawn care and the products used are important. For example, TruGreen’s Natural Plan costs about $550 a year. Lawnbright offers similar services for $240. This shows that Lawnbright can be 56-68% cheaper, depending on your yard size.
Looking at the big picture helps too. The average full-service lawn care program costs $746. Individual services average around $190. However, subscription services like Lawnbright cost about $374 on average. This makes the cost of DIY lawn care vs TruGreen even more clear.
To better see the comparison of DIY and TruGreen costs, here’s a detailed table:
| Yard Size | DIY (Lawnbright) | TruGreen | % Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5,000 sq ft | $240 | $550 | 56% |
| 5,000-10,000 sq ft | $240 | $600 | 60% |
| Over 10,000 sq ft | $240 | $750 | 68% |
In the end, choosing DIY lawn care with Lawnbright can save you money across different lawn sizes. This thorough DIY lawn care cost comparison points out how often you need service and where you live can change your costs. It shows what’s needed to keep your lawn looking great.
Time Investment in Lawn Care
The time needed for lawn care varies greatly between using TruGreen’s services and doing it yourself. This difference often helps homeowners decide which option to choose.
Time Required for TruGreen Services
TruGreen’s services save you time and are convenient. They offer TruGreen service frequency every four to six weeks for things like weed control and fertilizing. So, you won’t have to spend much time on lawn care. A basic plan means you hardly have to lift a finger, as the experts do everything, including scheduling.
TruGreen doesn’t just take care of regular treatments. Tasks like lawn aeration, which are hard to do on your own, are done quickly by their experts. These services, costing $150 to $250, make your life easier and give you free time for other things.
Time Required for DIY Lawn Care
DIY lawn care, on the other hand, requires a lot of time throughout the year. You’ll need to plan, buy supplies, and keep up with treatments. Even though it might seem cheaper than TruGreen at first, the time you put in is substantial.
Lawn hydration through hydroseeding is cheap, at $0.05 to $0.08 per square foot, but takes a lot of time every season. Plus, buying and keeping up with equipment for aeration or fertilization requires both money and time. And budget lawn care needs frequent changes with the seasons, adding more to your workload.
When looking at time investment in lawn care, comparing TruGreen to DIY is key. It’s important to think about the time TruGreen saves versus the satisfaction and costs of doing it yourself. Find the right balance for your lifestyle and lawn needs.
Lawn Size and Cost Factors
The size of your lawn plays a key role in figuring out the costs of its care. Whether you plan to care for your lawn yourself or hire experts, the size matters a lot for the budget.
Deep dive into the lawn care budget analysis shows costs go up as lawn size increases. Let’s take TruGreen as an example. They adjust their prices based on how big your lawn is:
- For smaller lawns under 5,000 square feet, Lawnbright’s Prevent and Repair plan is way cheaper than TruGreen’s TruNatural plan by 56%.
- In middle-sized lawns between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet, Lawnbright is still 60% cheaper.
- And for large lawns over 10,000 square feet, Lawnbright costs are 68% less than TruGreen.
Looking into TruGreen’s pricing, their total lawn service ranges from $100 to $400 each month for lawns sized 1/8 to 1/4 acre. Or it could cost $800 to $1,600 per acre every month. These fees cover everything from fertilizing to controlling weeds and aeration.
The DIY route means varying expenses too. These depend on your lawn’s size. Costs can include lawn products, tools, and services like cutting, mulching, and planting more seeds.
- Lawn cutting services charge between $30 and $85 for a visit to a lawn that’s 1/8 to 1/4 acre.
- Mulching is priced from $35 to $70 for each cubic yard.
- Planting new grass seeds costs about $0.04 to $0.18 for every square foot.
Knowing the exact size of your lawn is crucial. Accurate measurements let you better predict your expenses. This helps whether you’re thinking of professional help or doing it yourself. It ensures your TruGreen cost analysis and lawn care budget analysis are spot-on.
Final takeaway: How big your lawn is can really influence your costs in both lawn size and cost factors. It greatly affects how much you’ll spend on estimating lawn care expenses. So, measuring accurately can save you from unexpected expenses and help you make a smart choice.
Long-term Lawn Care Savings
When looking at lawn care investments, understanding long-term lawn care savings is key. A careful cost study shows big differences between hiring pros and doing it yourself. These differences affect how much you spend in the end.
Professional Services: Using companies like TruGreen, which cost about $746 a year and have an A+ grade from the BBB, ensures good results. They guarantee you’ll be happy with their work. This means you won’t have to spend on fixes or extra care often. So, spending on such services can save you money over time by cutting down on upkeep costs.
Looking at other popular services, we see various prices and perks:
| Company | Average Cost | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn Love | $615 | A+ |
| Weed Man | $627 | B- |
| Lawn Doctor | $861 | A+ |
| SavATree | $540 | N/A |
There are also subscription services like Sunday Lawn Care, costing $566 a year with an A+ BBB Rating, and Lawnbright costing $374, but without a BBB Rating. The average yearly cost for these is $474. This makes them a smart choice for those wanting to save money and still get good lawn care.
DIY Lawn Care: If you prefer doing things yourself, you can control your spending better. For example, high-quality fertilizers cost about $50 per bag. You will need to apply it every five weeks from spring to fall. Though it takes more work, it might be the smartest way for some to save on lawn upkeep.
Choosing the best approach requires looking closely at your situation, including your lawn’s size and what you hope to achieve. Smartly investing in either pro services or the DIY route can lead to big long-term lawn care savings.
Customized Programs and Flexibility
Finding the right lawn care choice can be tough with so many options. Whether you go pro or do it yourself, knowing what you can customize helps decide. This knowledge ensures you pick wisely for your lawn’s needs.
TruGreen Customized Programs
TruGreen helps 2.3 million folks in the U.S., providing many lawn care programs. These range from TruMaintenance to TruSignature, offering services like soil tests, fertilizing, and weed control. They also have extra options for things like overseeding and tree care. Prices vary from $53 to $177.95 monthly, plus initial costs for plans like TruNatural℠ Lawn Care.
DIY Lawn Care Customization
DIY lawn care gives you lots of control, letting you adjust care to suit your lawn and preferences. Companies like Sunday have DIY options starting from $109 to $155. They come with guides and products for each lawn’s needs. Though DIY can save money, sometimes you might spend more on special tools or materials.
Choosing your lawn care path means weighing pros and cons. TruGreen offers expert plans for flexibility, while DIY lets you tweak as you like. Consider both the costs of professional versus DIY care and what they mean for your lawn and wallet in the long run.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Lawn Care Option
I’ve looked at DIY versus TruGreen lawn care. It boils down to your needs, budget, and how much you enjoy yard work. Either way, there’s a match for everyone’s situation.
If you like doing yard work yourself and have the time, DIY can save money. But getting the timing and products right is tricky. This doesn’t always lead to the best results. TruGreen, with nearly 50 years of experience, offers professional treatments. They provide weed control, fertilization, and more for consistent care.
TruGreen’s prices start at $39.00 per treatment. Their services, like the Healthy Lawn Analysis®, are designed to keep your lawn looking its best. DIY means buying products and equipment and spending a lot of time on your lawn. When thinking about the long run, your preference plays a big role. If you lack time or gardening skills, TruGreen could be the better choice for a beautiful lawn.
I’m Carlos Robert, a passionate gardener, and blogger. With years of experience and knowledge in the field of garden watering, I have created a blog to share my insights and tips on the topic. I strive to provide readers with detailed information about all aspects of sprinkler systems, from garden sprinklers to fire sprinklers, along with nozzles, hoses, and other related products. I love helping my readers create the perfect garden with their ideal setup!