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What to charge for mowing a neighbor's yard?

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NickelPlate759

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My neighbor is fed up with his lawn service, so much so, that he refuses to hire any other commerical lawn service to do the cutting. He is handicapped, and unable to mow the lawn himself, so he has asked me to do it for him. So I was wondering, how much should I charge him?

He has a flat 2.5-3 acre lot (almost identical to mine), with very few obstacles or "tight" areas. It takes me 3 hours to cut my lawn, so I figure his lawn should take me a similar amount of time.

To help you, it should be known, we live in a rural part of New Jersey with a very high cost of living. Considering I'm not "in the business", I will not have any overhead costs. I do not know how much he paid for weekly lawn service, neither do I have any idea how much lawn services cost.

I hope this paints a good picture for you, any info would be appriciated.
 
#3 ·
Take your average wage figure three hours add in gas and a pint of oil and there you are.
 
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#5 ·
I don't know to much about NJ but from what I hear and see about real estate prices, it is real expensive and I for one would charge someone with that much mowing being in central Kentucky which has slightly lower than average living cost around 2hours time with a 52" Z $120 with minimal trimming and blowing as most large yards are. But factor in a COLA for New Jersey and it would probably be 15-20% higher.
 
#7 ·
So lemme get this straight: YOUR neighbor....who isn't satisfied by ANY lawn care professional....wants to pay YOU: an accountant (or an engineer...or whatever it is you do...fill in the blank) to mow HIS lawn.

What makes you think that YOU will be able to satisfy him? I would be veeerrrrryyy careful here...sounds like a great way to piss off your neighbor and STILL have to live next door.

If your neighbor and you have been best pals for 10 years or better...then I might would consider it. But I still wouldn't do it for money.

Here ya go PAL; "You buy us a first class ZTR... I'll sell my ole beat up riding mower.... I'll get a stihl weedeater and blower (with the proceeds from the sale of my rider and my wallet) and I will cut your yard and mine."

This way...you could get your grass cut faster (with the new ZTR) and leave you enough time to cut his without costing you another day's labor.

Then if he decided he did not like the way you cut the grass...he could take the beating on his investment or try to get someone else to cut his grass with HIS new mower. You on the other would have a first class weedeater, a first class blower and the greatest excuse in the world to buy a new mower!

SEE ... EVERBODY wins!

PS: If you neighbor is too cheap to buy a $6000 ZTR....then he is too cheap to pay you to cut his grass!
 
#8 ·
I don't think it is a good idea to work for neighbors. Just politely decline and be honest. People understand.
 
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#11 ·
Well I can see this both ways.

One one hand I agree whole-heartedly with those who suggest being VERY careful with a neighbor....cuz you have to continue living next to this guy no matter what happens with the lawn.

On the other hand, this dude lives close to you and presumably sees what kind of job you do on your own lawn. So he must likes what he sees.

I resisted doing lawns in my neighborhood for years. Then I decided to do my next-door-neighbor's lawn. This only opened the flood-gates and now I'm doing 12 or 13 in a 2 block area. I just make sure my crew puts a little extra time/energy in making our neighbors' houses absolutely perfect. Good luck, Tom
 
#12 ·
Originally posted by Avery
I second that. I do not work for neighbors...for any amount of money. No good can come of it.
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To each his own.
I have heard horror stories about working for neighbors, but I do total maintenance for 2 of my neighbors and one of them is my best customer. Pays a day after I mail the invoice, never questions work done or time involved. He is also a good friend too.
 
#13 ·
Originally posted by Avery
I second that. I do not work for neighbors...for any amount of money. No good can come of it.
Click to expand...
This is the truth. I know first-hand that working for your neighbors will soon make you want to strangle them. Politely decline. Tell them you are too busy or something.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Thank you for the overwheling feedback, it is much appricated. Now, for those of you who were wondering...

I plan on using my own personal tractor, which is a Simpicilty w/ 54" deck.

My neighbor was dissatisfied because his current lawn service was supposed to show up weekly. Instead they were coming every 11 or 12 days, then, by the end of the month, they would cut the lawn twice in a three-day span.

Also, not to be discriminatory, but he was tired of Spanish-only speaking people, who didn't know a word of English, mowing his lawn at all hours of the day. I, myself, am also tired of hearing lawn mowers at 6:30 am on a Saturday, and this bother is infleuenceing my decision towards cutting the lawn for him.

Finally, for those of you who are weary about "doing business with the neighbors". during the past 4 years (which is how long he has been handicapped), I have been plowing his driveway for him at a price. After 4 years of successful snow-plowing, I think I will be alright to mow his lawn. Most importantly, Peter has always been good about payment for the snow plows.

Knowing that, should I mow his lawn, or should I not? If I do it, how should I charge him? Because he is definitely looking for me to do it on a regular basis.
 
#15 ·
Sounds to me like your neighbor was a price shopper, that's why he never had a REAL lawncare service.

If you've been doing other work for him then I guess you're the better judge,but I don't think he'll be willing to pay anything near normal rate..............just my thought, I could be totally wrong,
But I do believe he is looking for cheap.
 
#17 ·
I have been cutting my neighbors grass for 6 years now. He raised my bid for the account $5 and said, "when can you start?”

He has never questioned the work and always pays on time.


Take the job and see how it goes (that is if you have the time to spend on the yard). If you work at your other job a lot, maybe think about spending time with family.

Good Luck.
 
#18 ·
My rule of thumb for friends and family is this; if I'm just helping you (ie. you trim, edge, and blow) I'll cut it for free (because I'll be asking for your help in the future, most likely.) However, if you're sitting in the A/C while I'm doing your yard, you're going to pay me, but I give a discount. Be careful, though on the discount because you could get taken advantage of (been there, done that.) Do it as a "let's see how it works out" type where he can let you go, and you can let him go (if you get too busy, wink, wink) If it gets out of hand, be sure to give them at least a two week notice to find someone else. I've had to do this and delivery is the key. I was doing a neighbors yard for $25, but found that with the wife continued to add to the to-do list. Finally, I told her that I was getting too busy and that they really needed to look for someone else. Worked out ok...
 
#19 ·
I'd chime in, but there's nothing I could say that hasn't already been said here. Seems that you have the info. Good luck in your decision. What I really would do though, is leave yourself and him a way out in case either of you gets uncomfortable with the situation.
 
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