Whether you’re looking to get a hold of a specialized lawn mower in order to tackle a difficult lawn renovation project, or you just want something capable of mowing your lawn while your usual mower is being repaired or replaced, lawn mower rental is always worth looking into.
However, if you’ve never rented a lawn mower before, then the likelihood is that you’ll be surprised at the vast amount of equipment you are able to rent.
It’s important to learn more about the equipment that you can and should rent, as you might just save yourself a lot of money!
This article will cover everything you need to know about lawn mower rental, so that you can make an informed decision about whether you should opt to rent a lawn mower.
Why Should You Rent Instead Of Buying?
If you’ve recently become a homeowner and have thought about buying a lawn mower and other gardening equipment, then there’s no doubt that you will have quickly discovered just how much it all costs.
However, the financial cost of all of the equipment isn’t the only thing you’ll need to consider if you’re thinking about buying all of the necessary gardening equipment.
You’ll also need to think about the storage space required in order to keep all of the equipment, as well ensuring that your equipment is kept in a safe and secure location out of the harsh weather conditions in the winter months.
Also, you should contemplate whether or not it’s worth spending all of that money on specialized gardening equipment if you’re only going to use it a couple of times each season.
This is why renting is becoming such a popular option.
People are beginning to realize that simply renting the equipment you need a few times each year is much more convenient than having all of that equipment clog up your shed or garage all year round.
As well as the convenience, it’s also worth noting that renting will allow you access to much higher quality mowers than you would perhaps be able to buy for yourself, which is particularly helpful if you have a larger lawn that needs caring for.
It’s also a way of avoiding any maintenance issues, and the costs that come with it too. Mowers will need their blades and other parts replaced over time, especially if they’re more complex mowers, and this can very quickly add up.
The Cons Of Renting A Lawn Mower
Although renting a lawn mower is a relatively sensible option, this doesn’t mean that it’s suitable for everyone, and it’s certainly worth weighing up your options before you decide to commit to purchasing a mower instead of renting.
The first downside to renting a lawn mower is that every time you need to rent the mower, you’ll need to drive to and from the rental store with the mower, which means having a vehicle with the adequate space to fit the mower and any other equipment you might need to use.
Similarly, you’ll also need enough vehicle space to transport the grass cuttings you make from your garden to the adequate disposal center too.
If you have a lawn that grows back fairly quickly, then the cost of renting a mower on a regular basis will add up quite quickly, in which case, you’re probably better off purchasing your own mower to use.
So, now that you’re familiar with both the pros and the cons of renting a lawn mower, it’s now time to take a closer look at what sort of lawn mower you should be opting to use when renting one for your lawn!
What Mower Should You Choose?
It’s an important decision to make, and there are a number of different factors that will go into choosing the right mower for you, so it’s definitely worth checking out each of these options and determining which one is going to be best for you and your garden.
- Self-Propelled Push Mower: Arguably the most basic mower option, these models will usually be made by Toro or Honda, as these are the most reliable mower brands.
These are best used by people who simply want to mow their lawn, especially if you only have a small to medium-sized lawn, and don’t require anything too complicated.
These mowers can be gas or electric, although gas is a much more common option, and you’ll need to remember to purchase some gas to power the mower too.
Overall, these mowers can usually be rented for around $46 per day, which is a pretty cost-effective deal
- Riding Lawn Mower: For those with over ½ an acre of lawn, you’ll definitely want to opt for a riding lawn mower, as you’ll save a lot of time and effort as opposed to using a self-propelled mower, especially since you’ll constantly have to empty the cuttings, not to mention the breaks you’ll need to take from the physical effort.
What confuses people is that there are actually two different types of riding lawn mowers that you can opt for; zero turn riding mowers, and tractor riding mowers.
For those who need a riding mower that is capable of being able to manoeuvre and turn around different obstacles on the lawn, then a zero turn mower is definitely going to be the best choice, and the actual specifications of zero turn mower you receive shouldn’t differ too much from company to company.
These mowers will usually cost you around $195 a day, which isn’t much if you have a particularly large lawn.
On the other hand, tractor mowers, although slower, will provide a slightly cleaner cut thanks to their lower speeds, but are offered by very few rental companies out there due to the demand for zero turn mowers.
If you do manage to find a rental company offering tractor mowers, then you can usually expect to pay about $205 dollars a day for the use of one.
So, depending on what sort of size lawn you have, you will need to choose between a self-propelled mower and a riding mower.
Just remember that you’ll likely be required to transport either type of mower from the rental company, which means having enough space in your vehicle for a self-propelled mower, or having a vehicle capable of towing a trailer with the riding mower in.
Now that you’re up to date with the options available, and how much they cost, you’re probably wondering if there’s any way of saving yourself some money while renting a mower, and thankfully, there is!
How To Save Money When Renting A Lawn Mower
For those with larger lawns, you might be looking at the cost of renting a riding mower and wincing slightly, or perhaps you just want to cut back on the cost of renting a self-propelled mower, either way, we have a couple of tips that should help you to save some money when renting a mower!
- Timing: Rental companies will usually charge some form of premium for rentals during busy periods, especially weekends in the summer months. So, if possible, try to rent during quieter times, such as weekdays.
- Sharing: If you’re going to rent a mower, then why not ask around to see if any of your neighbors would be interested in sharing the cost of the rental for you both to use it, which is a great way to keep the cost down.
- Pick Up: For larger mowers, rental companies will often offer the option of delivery, at an extra fee of course, so it’s always better (and cheaper) to pick it up from the company yourself.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to cut down on the cost of your mower rental the next time you need it, which will certainly make your rental experience even better!
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Rental Lawn Mower
While mowing your lawn might seem like a simple task, when using a rental mower you are limited on time, so it’s important to take a number of steps to ensure that you get the most of your lawn mower!
- Plan: If you’re going to have a big project day in your yard, it’s definitely best to plan it all in advance, as you’ll be able to get a much better idea of the number of things that need to be done, and by creating a solid plan, you’re much more likely to get it done too!
- Prep: Don’t leave it until the last minute to begin prepping your yard ready to be mowed, and by removing any obstacles and debris from your yard, it’ll be ready to be mowed as soon as your rental mower arrives
Final Thoughts
We hope that this guide to lawn mower rental has helped, and that you make the right choice for you when deciding between renting a mower, or purchasing one!
