How to prepare your yard before a lawn service visit
To prepare your yard before a lawn service visit, clear anything off the grass that a mower could hit, unlock the gate, keep pets inside, mark hidden hazards, and tell the worker exactly what you want done. Most of this takes 15 minutes or less, and it helps the job go faster, keeps your belongings and the worker safe, and gets you the result you asked for.
Clear the lawn of objects
Walk the whole yard and pick up anything sitting in the grass. A mower blade can throw small objects hard enough to break a window or hurt someone, and larger items slow the worker down because they have to stop and move them.
Look for:
- toys, balls, and sports gear
- garden hoses and sprinklers
- dog toys and pet waste
- patio furniture, planters, and decorations sitting on the lawn
- fallen branches, rocks, and sticks
If something is too heavy to move, mention it when you book so the worker knows to trim around it.
Unlock gates and make access easy
If the worker can't get into the backyard, they can't mow it. Unlock side gates or leave a code, move cars or trash cans that block the path, and make sure the gate is wide enough for a mower. If you won't be home, explain in your request how to get in and which areas are off limits.
Keep pets inside
Bring dogs and other pets indoors before the visit and keep them in until the work is done and the gate is closed again. Mowers, trimmers, and blowers are loud and can scare animals, and an open gate is an easy chance for a dog to get out. Pick up pet waste in the yard ahead of time, too.
Mark hidden hazards
Some things in a yard are hard to see in tall grass and can damage equipment or the item itself. Mark them with a small flag or stake, or point them out in your request:
- sprinkler heads and irrigation lines
- low stumps, roots, and rocks
- holes or soft spots
- buried cables, outdoor lighting, and drainage pipes
- new plantings and seeded areas you don't want mowed
Water and weather timing
Avoid watering the lawn the night before or the morning of a mowing visit. Wet grass clumps, cuts unevenly, and can be slippery to work on. If it rains heavily before the appointment, check with the worker about whether to keep the time or move it.
Tell the worker exactly what you want
Clear instructions are the best way to get the result you expect. In your request or when the worker arrives, cover:
- which areas to mow (front, back, side yards)
- whether you want edging along sidewalks and the driveway
- what to do with clippings and leaves (bag them, mulch them, or leave them)
- areas to skip, like a vegetable garden or wildflower patch
- any extra tasks, like weeding beds or trimming shrubs
Put the details in writing in your yard work request so nothing gets missed. Agree on the price and scope with the worker before the work begins, since independent yardtenders set their own rates.
Common questions before a lawn service visit
Do I need to be home during the visit?
Not always. Many homeowners aren't home, as long as the worker can get into the yard and knows what to do. If it's the first visit, being home for the start lets you walk the yard together and point out what matters.
Should I mow before the first visit if the grass is very tall?
No. Let the worker know the grass is overgrown when you request the job. Very tall grass takes more time and may need a different approach, so mentioning it up front helps the worker plan and quote accurately.
What should I ask the worker before they start?
Confirm the price, what's included, how long the job should take, and how to pay. It's also reasonable to ask about their experience and whether they carry insurance, since each yardtender is an independent worker.
What if something gets damaged?
Point it out to the worker right away and talk it through with them directly. Taking a few photos of the yard before the visit makes it easier to discuss any problems afterward.
Ready to book?
Once your yard is ready, use our yard work request form to describe the job. If you do lawn work yourself and want more local jobs, you can apply to become a Yardtender. Learn more about how the site works on our about page.