Question

The Hendersons have just bought a home that requires some monthly yard maintenance. They are trying to decide if they should hire a professional lawn care service to maintain the property or do it themselves. Below are the costs associated with both options:

Professional Service Option Do-It-Yourself Option
$75 for the first month $250 lawnmower
$45 per month after initial visit $135 edger
Includes mowing and edging the $69 hedge trimmer
lawn, trimming the bushes, and $25 rake
raking the leaves.


How long would it take before the Hendersons would recover their costs if they chose to do it themselves over the professional service?
a.
5 months
b.
9 months
c.
10 months
d.
6 months

Answer 1

First, add together the costs for buying their own stuff. 250+135+69+25=479.

Then figure for the professional costs. Put it in perspective of a year. 45*11+75=570. 

Then subtract. Professional- DIY. 570-479=91. 

$91 is about 2 months worth of work. So a year has 12 months.

12-2=10

Answer:10 months

Answer 2

Professional Service Option Do-It-Yourself Option:

First month lawnmower = $250

Initial visit = $135

Price for mowing and edging = $69

Price for lawn and bushes trimming = $ 25

Hence, total cost becomes = 250+135+69+25 = $479

Professional service cost for 1 month lawnmower = $75

Professional cost for visit for 11 months (1st visit costs $135) = $45

Total cost for 11 months = 45*11 = $495

Total professional cost = 495+75 = $570

Now, subtracting the professional cost and do it yourself cost we get;

$570-$479=$91. 

This $91 is for 2 months worth of work. Hence, months needed to recover costs = 12-2 = 10 months

Hence, the answer is 10 months.