Although hiring a lawn care company is more expensive than doing it yourself, it can be well worth the money. For starters, it saves you time and equipment maintenance, which may be justifiable financially. It also creates a more professional appearance. Plus, a pro can spot problems before they occur. This can save you money on expensive reseeding, aeration and other types of lawn repair down the road.

Contact the best lawn mowing professionals near you to start getting free estimates.

A house sitter watches your house while you are away for work or vacation, or if you have to be away for an extended period. House sitters can also provide pet-sitting services, staying in your home and caring for your pet while you are away. The house sitter can say overnight in your home while you’re gone, or stop by once a day to ensure everything is in order if your pet doesn’t need overnight supervision. Reptiles and most cats are just fine with daily visits and feeding.

House sitting provides major advantages to the homeowner. A regular presence in your house deters break-ins and theft. Home safety issues such as water leaks get noticed and dealt with right away, so you don’t come home to big problems. A house sitter can bring in your mail daily, care for your houseplants, and provide home safety and peace of mind.

Regular lawn maintenance can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal. Professional lawn care prices will vary based on the regional cost to do business and regional cost of labor, the size of your lawn, and any additional services you may desire such as edging or mulching. The national average for lawn mowing costs is $30-$50. Pros may charge an hourly rate, a flat rate or by the square foot (an acre contains 43,560 square feet). Square footage rates factor in the professional’s time, the use of their equipment, and the gas to operate the mower. Distance may also affect cost: If you live outside the company’s standard service range, you may pay an additional travel fee. Here are some examples of average prices for mowing and lawn maintenance:

• Up to 8,000-square-foot property: $30 per week/$120 per month.
• Bimonthly: $40 per service/$80 per month.
• One time only: $45 per service.
• Prices include mowing all turf grass areas; trimming grass away from fences, structures, trees, and lawn edges; and clearing or blowing all grass trimmings from driveways, sidewalks, curbs, etc.
• Hourly rate: $25 per hour (including travel, equipment costs and labor).
• Lot size:
• Smaller lots in subdivisions: $35.
• Half-acre lot: $50.
• One-acre lot: $100.

House sitting can help keep your home safe and well cared for so you can be worry-free while you’re away for work or play. There are several steps you can take to make sure you hire a trustworthy house sitter and do your part to be a responsible host. One of the best ways to ensure a safe home is to hire a professional house sitter. Here are some key points to look for when hiring a house sitter:

• Reviews and referrals: When searching for a house sitter, always read reviews. Previous experiences will indicate how the house sitter will care for your home while you’re away.
• Contract: Sign a clearly written contract outlining services to be provided (e.g., mail in each day by 5 p.m.), the daily rate you are paying, and how long the services will be provided. You can also include any agreed-upon house rules in the written contract.
• Your part: Leave important phone numbers (vet, emergency contact, etc.) and information on where to find emergency items like the circuit breaker and the fire extinguisher, and have a credit card on file with the veterinarian in case of emergencies if the house sitter is watching your pets.

For more, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.

In general, weekly mowing is the golden rule. However, different lawns and conditions may require different mowing frequencies. For instance, if your grass is growing slowly due to dry conditions or a lack of sun, don’t cut it simply because a week has passed. And don’t cut more than a third of the length of the grass blade at any time. Also, ease up on mowing if the weather is going to be hot and dry, as the longer blades provide shade and can keep water from evaporating so quickly.

If you're unable to mow your lawn, consider hiring one of the best lawn care professionals near you.

Deep cleaning a house goes beyond the surface level to clear out the dust, grime and gunk that’s collecting on the fan blades, hiding in the blinds, and built up inside the refrigerator drawers. Deep cleaning of a home or apartment costs more than regular house cleaning because it takes more time, effort, and cleaning products. You may choose to have a deep cleaning once or several times a year in addition to your standard cleaning services. You may have a one-time deep cleaning to prepare for company or to clean after a house party. Companies may charge an hourly rate or a price per square foot, or may offer you a flat rate after they have visited your home and estimated work time. The national average house cleaning price is $110-$150, with rates ranging higher for deep-cleaning services. Here are some examples of how a company may calculate their deep-cleaning prices:

• 10 cents per square foot (compared with 5 cents per square foot for standard house cleaning).
• $300 for a 3,000-square-foot home.
• $25 per hour per worker for deep-cleaning services.

There are many questions to ask a cleaning service before you hire them to make sure they’re the right fit. These questions might include:

• How much do you charge?
• How do you set your prices -- per hour or per square foot? Or, do you charge a flat rate?
• What is your past work experience? Can I see a list of references?
• Are you accustomed to working with different home or apartment types and sizes?
• Can you work with children or pets in the house?
• What types of cleaning products do you use?
• Do you bring your own cleaning supplies and products?
• How often can you clean my home?
• Is there anything you recommend I do (or don't do) to my home before you arrive?

For more tips on how to hire the best maid or house cleaning service, read our smart hiring guide.

A basic house cleaning typically includes tasks like carpet cleaning, wiping countertops, taking out the trash, doing the laundry and washing dishes. A deep house cleaning is a much more involved process, where all aspects of the home are given full attention for a cleanout. In a deep house cleaning, the cleaners will wet-wipe everything from door frames to light switch plates, making sure to also clean walls, windows, air vents, ceiling fans, furniture and more.

You may benefit from hiring a professional move-out cleaning service, depending on your budget, time frame and whether you will be getting a deposit back. Hiring a cleaning service takes the stress out of your move. But if you’ve had your house regularly deep-cleaned, or if your landlord will charge you for cleaning anyway, you can save costs by DIY-ing it.

Generally, getting your house cleaned professionally can take several hours. The time it takes for house cleaners to complete their job depends on the size of your home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you have, the type of service you require and the condition of your house. It also might depend on how many employees are cleaning and the supplies they are using. If you get recurring cleaning services, the first visit might take a bit longer than the subsequent visits. 

When choosing the best house cleaner for you, ask for an estimate about how long their services will take.