Frequently asked questions

A lawn mowing contractor may base their pricing or quote on several factors, such as the thickness and length of the grass, any obstacles on the lawn like outdoor furniture that needs to be lifted, the terrain of the yard, and whether the lawn is a simple flat area with four corners or a complex maze garden that requires a lot of turns or is on a steep slope. Additionally, they will consider any objects that need to be moved, such as trampolines and flower pots, and importantly, how long the job will take them.

How the price or quote is established?

Several payment options are available. We can send you an invoice if needed. However, bank transfer payments after each lawn mowing service are the simplest and most preferred method. Cash is also accepted for clients who prefer a more traditional approach, and we can issue a receipt if necessary. Checks payments are no longer accepted after 2021 as New Zealand banks phase out checks. Please refrain from asking for discounts on cash payments; we do not intend to evade our tax obligations and will deposit cash into the bank.

Do we prefer cash or bank transfer? Answer: We prefer bank transfer payment because it is a very simple procedure that benefits us by building our credit rating and community by paying taxes to the government of New Zealand. Cash is still accepted for the convenience of other individuals who do not use internet banking or mobile apps.

Timely payments are essential; otherwise, we will cease providing lawn mowing services. Unlike before, most lawn mowing contractors are aware of debt collection services. Additionally, many lawn mowing business contractors in New Zealand belong to a Facebook group or online forum where they share information about clients in the area who do not pay and advise others to refrain from providing services to them. Our business continuity depends on how the clients pay on time, so we kindly ask that all payments be made no later than two days after the lawn mowing service.

Do you sell vouchers? Or are we with Afterpay? Answer: No, we are not selling vouchers anywhere, such as on deals marketing websites like grabone or treatmen or with financial services like Afterpay.

How could we settle the payment?

Overgrown lawns?

An ideal, presentable, and pleasant-looking lawn must be mowed at least every two or three weeks during spring, summer, and autumn. Out of respect for the client, we are willing to skip or not mow if the lawns aren't growing much due to heat or if there is less rain in the summer, provided a postponement request notice is given. Lawn service will also be skipped if the lawns are too soft and muddy, as mud can be spread by our line trimmer equipment upon contact, splattering mud on the walls or the lawnmower and leaving marks on your lawns like a hydraulic excavator. We are not a franchise with mandatory fees and are lenient in these situations. Lawns should be cut at least once a month during winter. We will not trap or lock you into a contract requiring us to mow the lawns even if they haven't grown; just let us know that your lawns didn't grow, and we won't need to drive out. You are free not to commit to any specific mowing frequency, but please note that we will prioritise our scheduled clients first on a two to three-week or monthly basis. The price of lawn mowing services may vary each visit, depending on the growth of the lawn compared to the last mowing service. You must verify with us first whether we can fit you into our schedule before making any payments for non-scheduled or one-off customers

How often do we mow the lawns?

Please don't expect the lawn mowing to be pristine and tidy after the first cut, as it would be with regularly mowed lawns. We must remove the plug chute cover, also known as the side throw; otherwise, the mower engine will stall. The mower chassis needs an opening since it can't mulch the overwhelming amount of grass clippings. Opening the side throw will make quite a mess, similar to using a catcher mower without the catch bag, but we have no choice as the lawns are overgrown. Overgrown grass has larger roots underground with plenty of reserve starch or food, allowing it to spring back quickly after mowing. The grass is desperately growing its leaves to capture sunlight for food production, so the sooner we schedule the next lawn mowing service, the better. Lawns can be tamed after several scheduled and frequent mowing services.

One off lawn mowing service payment?

There's a precautionary discussion among lawn mowing contractors and business operators here in New Zealand on online forums, consistently advising those starting out in the lawn mowing business to seek or require payment upfront from one-off or new customers, especially if the lawns are overgrown. In some cases, a customer may be moving out and cannot be located later.

​If you're considering one-off services without a regular schedule, you may have our payment details from a previous service and might think of using our services again. Please verify and contact us first to see if we can provide the lawn mowing service before making any payment. DO NOT PAY IN ADVANCE using our banking details, as we may not have available time and may not be able to complete the work, and we will end up refunding your payment, which may also be delayed.

Will just contact us when the lawns needs mowing?

• Don’t want to commit to a regular lawn mowing schedule and will just contact a lawn mowing service when the lawns have grown? The price for this arrangement will be higher than usual and won’t be the same as the previous lawn mowing service, depending on the growth of the lawns. The lawn mowing contractor has to divert from the planned work route to make special trips and perform unplanned adjustments to the work schedule.

• Any repeat clients who only reach out for lawn mowing services when the lawns are moderately thick to overgrown are still regarded as one-off clients. Please confirm with us first if we can take on the work before paying in advance using our bank details from the previous invoice, as we will refund the advance payment if we can't proceed. A new price quote for lawns not on a regular schedule may be necessary, and pricing will not necessarily match that of the previous cut depending on the changes in lawn growth.

• Only settle the payment once we’ve verified and confirmed that we can service another lawn not on our regular or planned schedule.

A straight commercial line trimmer, commonly known as a weed eater, is used for the sides or edges of the lawns that a mower could not reach. We have a commercial self-propelled mulch lawn mower heavier than an ordinary lawn mower and can crush grass clippings into tiny pieces for returning to the lawn, provided the side chute is closed. This differs from using a catch mower, which scatters grass clippings when not equipped with a catch bag. Mulch mowers also provide a tidy and excellent finish, similar to a mower with a catcher, if the lawns receive regular mowing service two to three times a month, ensuring they don’t become overgrown.

Please note that we do not have or use a ride-on mower.

Can I catch the clippings? And take away?

No catcher mowing, what type of mower do we use?

Unfortunately, I don’t have a professional catcher lawn mower. I only have a medium-sized van and not much space at home to collect and store grass clippings, as I can't visit the tipping place every time. It’s best to contact a franchised lawn mowing business operator for catcher and take-away clippings services, as other independent lawn mowing contractors may not offer this type of service.

Why my previous lawn mowing guy only used a line trimmer? never used a push mower.

If there is no access to the lawns—for example, if the lawnmower operator needs to carry the mower up stairs—or if the area has a steep or deep slope that isn’t safe for a standard lawn mower (for instance, the risk of accidentally slipping a foot or leg into the mower blade), then it poses a challenge. Most commercial mowers weigh between 40 to 60 kg and cannot be lifted without proper access to the lawns. As a result, the lawn mowing operator will resort to using a line trimmer only.

Dog feces? are we ok with that?

Please do your best to keep your lawns tidy. It is unpleasant and unhygienic for a lawn mowing person to accidentally hit dog waste with a line trimmer and splash it on their clothing or face. We can tolerate an occasional splash, but for health and safety reasons, we may discontinue or stop providing lawn care services for lawns that are excessively contaminated with dog feces. Please note that it is not our responsibility to clean up any dog waste on our clients' lawns.

To cut low or to cut the lawns higher?

For lawn enthusiasts or addicts who want their lawns to be in the best condition, lush, thick, and green like carpet, we usually cut higher than normal (except it is a kikuyu grass lawn) to achieve deep green, lush lawns. We also mow our own lawns two to three times a week and are careful not to cut too low. By cutting at higher settings, we prevent weeds from overpowering the lawns.

We acknowledge that our clients, unlike lawn enthusiasts, possess varying desires and preferences regarding their lawns. Most individuals primarily seek to maintain their lawns, irrespective of their appearance. We are pleased to accommodate our clients' needs and preferences.

Most people believe cutting the lawn at the lowest possible height is the best approach. This means they won’t have to mow again soon, and the grass will take longer to grow back after being cut too short. Technically, they are right if the lawns are unhealthy due to cutting too low. The grass may dry out because it cannot retain moisture during a hot season or be dominated by other weeds if other weeds can grow taller and faster than the grass, covering the ground and preventing the grass or the legitimate lawns from growing. Again, we respect other people's preferences, which is ok if that is what they like.

Many clients think we would mow higher to visit more frequently and charge them for our services, so we generally cut at lower settings by default unless the client specifies otherwise. It's all about fulfilling the client's wants and needs.

Mowing advice: During summer or hotter months, it's a great move to mow at higher settings! This helps the lawns retain moisture, keeping them healthy and preventing those troublesome brown patches. Or lawn dominated by unwanted plants and weeds like crabgrass, thistle, and broadleaf weeds. On the bright side, some weeds, such as dandelions and clovers, can add a splash of colour and provide food for bees without harming the grass. In the colder, wet season, it's perfectly acceptable to cut at lower settings, but we should always be careful not to cut too low, as removing all the grass leaves or scalping can be detrimental. Remember, our goal is to provide mowing and lawn maintenance services that nurture your lawn, not harm it!

Do we speak English?

Since immigrating from the Philippines in 2009, I have gained valuable experience in retail and services here in New Zealand. I’m happy to share that we can communicate directly in English with our clients, which makes the conversation feel more personal and engaging, all without the need for translator software or apps.