The True Cost of DIY Lawn Care & Why Hiring the Pros Pays Off

We get it – DIY lawn care seems like a great idea. You stroll through the lawn care aisle at the hardware store, grab a few bags of fertilizer that look right, and think, “How hard can this really be?”

Before you know it, you’re standing in your yard, hose in one hand, spreader in the other, feeling like you are ready to crack the lawn care code. But here’s the thing: DIY lawn care programs can be a sneaky little money pit. What starts as attempting to save a few bucks can quickly turn into a costly, time-consuming headache.

Let’s explore the hidden costs that tend to sneak up on well-meaning homeowners.

Hidden Costs of a DIY Lawn Care Program

DIY lawn care has a way of tricking you into thinking you’re saving money when, in reality, you might be setting yourself up for a financial ambush.

The “Oops” Factor

Lawn care isn’t as easy as throwing down some seed and hoping for the best. Use the wrong fertilizer or apply too much? You could burn your lawn. Apply weed control incorrectly? You might end up with a patchy, chemical crime scene, instead of a lush, green oasis. These mistakes aren’t just a frustrating waste of money, they are also expensive to fix.

Buying All the Gear

That $50 bag of fertilizer is just the beginning. You’ll need a spreader, sprayer, gloves, soil tests, and possibly an advanced degree in lawn science to figure out what your grass truly needs. And don't forget the cost of ongoing, regular maintenance for equipment or replacing tools when they break.

Redoing the Work

Let’s say your first attempt at DIY lawn care doesn’t go as planned. Now, you’re buying new products to correct the issue, spending more time fixing mistakes, and possibly even hiring a pro to rescue your lawn. Double the work, double the cost.

Time is Money

Sure, you could spend your weekends battling crabgrass and tweaking your watering schedule…or you could be enjoying a cold drink on your perfectly maintained lawn (courtesy of the pros). Lawn care takes time and unless you truly enjoy the process, it can start to feel like a second job.

How Hiring the Professional Lawn Care in Lafayette Pays Off

Alright, so we’ve covered how DIY lawn care seems like a good idea – until it turns into an expensive science experiment gone wrong. Now, let’s talk about why hiring professionals isn’t just easier – it’s a better investment.

Pros Know Their Stuff
(And They’re Not Distracted by T-Ball Games)

Lawn care is literally our full-time job. We don’t have to squeeze it in between work meetings, grocery runs, or little Timmy’s baseball game. When it’s the perfect time for fertilizer to go down? We’re on it. When a heatwave is coming and we need to adjust treatment? We are already ahead of it. Timing is everything in lawn care, and because this is all we do, we make sure your lawn gets exactly what it needs when it needs it – no guesswork, no Farmer’s Almanac, no delays.

The Right Tools for the Job
(That You Don’t Have to Buy and Store)

DIYers, let's be real – when was the last time you calibrated a spreader to make sure your fertilizer was going down exactly right? Probably never. We’ve got professional-grade, precision equipment and trained technicians that ensures every application is spot-on.Liquid fertilizers, high-end herbicides, and soil builders aren’t even available to homeowners unless they’re willing to drop a small fortune. We custom-blend our treatments based on the weather, soil conditions, and what’s happening with your lawn right now. We’re not just grabbing whatever’s on the shelf.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
(And That Can Cost You)

We know that our average clients are incredibly intelligent – but even with all the YouTube tutorials in the world, you won’t match the experience of a team that lives and breathes lawn care. And who has the time to spend their nights researching how to get a perfect lawn?

We’ve been doing this for years, and we’re still learning something new every week.
That experience matters. If you see brown spots, you might think “Oh, must be drought stress” and start watering like crazy – only to find out it’s a disease that thrives in moisture. Oops. Now, instead of fixing the problem, you’ve made it worse. The same goes for insect damage, over-fertilization, and weed control – without expert knowledge, small missteps can turn into lawn disasters.

When you hire professionals, you’re not just paying for products – you’re paying for expertise, precision, and peace of mind.

Comparing DIY vs Professional Lawn Care in Lafayette: A Look at Lawn Care Pricing

We know sticker shock can be real when it comes to lawn care. But let’s break down what it costs to facilitate a DIY lawn care program for an average-sized lawn in Lafayette, IN.

Fertilizers & Weed Control: about $50-$100 per application

Sprayers, Spreaders, & Tools: at least $200

Soil Testing & Adjustments: $30+ per test

Time Spent Researching & Applying: hours every month

Mistakes & Fixes: can be very costly $$$
By our count, that could put you on the hook for over $1000 in your first year of DIY if you're following a professional lawn care standard. At Shades of Green, our programs start at just $41 per month for our Standard plan. This plan covers the essentials for your lawn with 8 applications covering custom-blended fertilizer, broadleaf weed control, grub control treatments, spot spraying weeds, micronutrient package, pH adjustment package, nutsedge control, and free service calls. All materials, tools, and time is included in each of our packages.

Partnering with a Professional for Lawn Care in Lafayette and Nearby Areas

At the end of the day, your lawn shouldn’t be a never-ending science experiment or a weekend time-suck. You deserve a yard that looks amazing without the guesswork, frustration, and hidden costs of DIY lawn care. That’s where our team at Shades of Green comes in.

We’re not a big-box, one-size-fits-all lawn care company. We’re a local team that knows Indiana lawns inside and out. We fine-tune every treatment based on the season, weather, and what’s happening in your yard – so you get real, lasting results, not just a quick fix. And because this is our full-time job, we get the timing right every time.

Tired of the DIY lawn care headaches and want a healthy lawn without the hassle? We’d love to help. Get started by filling out our contact form!