Should I cancel my contractor before booking the AutoAcre demo?

No. Book the demo first. The on-site demo confirms whether autonomous mowing actually fits your property's terrain and slopes. If for some reason it doesn't, you haven't disrupted your existing arrangement. The demo is non-binding.

Will my lawn look bad during the transition between the contractor and AutoAcre?

Time the install close to your contractor's last visit and there's no transition gap. AutoAcre's commercial-grade autonomous mower starts frequent mowing the same day it's installed, so the lawn never goes more than a fortnightly cycle without mowing during the switch.

How-to guide

How to switch from a fortnightly mowing contractor

Q: Can I keep my contractor for line trimming and detail work?

Yes. Many AutoAcre customers keep their gardener or contractor for edge trimming, garden bed work and ornamental areas. AutoAcre handles the bulk mowing surface; the gardener's hours typically drop dramatically because they're no longer also mowing the bulk.

Q: What if I want to switch back to a contractor?

AutoAcre's Buy + Manage offer is month-to-month management — adjust or pause as your needs change. If for any reason you want to return to contractor mowing, give reasonable notice and AutoAcre arranges removal of the unit. Most customers don't switch back, but the option is always there.

Q: Will switching cost me more than the contractor was costing?

For most properties it lands in much the same range as a fortnightly contractor. AutoAcre's offer is the commercial-grade autonomous mower outright plus a monthly management fee that scales with mowable acreage, quoted after a site assessment. Management covers scheduled maintenance, monitoring and repair coordination. The customer owns the asset. Bring your current mowing invoices to the site assessment and we'll compare them directly.

The practical migration walkthrough — demo to install to week-4 photo report. What to do, when, and what to expect at each stage. The whole thing typically wraps inside 30 days.

Typical timeline:

Week 0: Book demo
Week 1: On-site demo, get quote
Week 1-2: Notify existing contractor
Week 3: AutoAcre install + frequent mowing starts
Week 4+: Weekly photo reports, ongoing frequent mowing

Book the AutoAcre on-site demo first

Don't cancel your contractor before this step. The on-site demo confirms slope, coverage and pattern on your actual property — if anything's a problem, you find out before disrupting your existing mowing arrangement. Book on 0499 649 094 or via the demo page.

Confirm fit, get the quote, set the start date

After the demo, AutoAcre confirms whether your property is a good fit and provides a fixed monthly management fee quote. The fee scales with mowable acreage, so the number comes after we've walked the block. Pick a start date that gives you enough notice to wind down with your current contractor — usually 2 to 4 weeks out.

Notify your contractor

Most fortnightly contractors work on month-to-month arrangements with verbal notice. Two weeks notice is standard courtesy. Schedule one final visit if you want a fresh start when AutoAcre installs. If you're keeping the contractor for edges or detail work, frame the change as scope reduction rather than termination — many gardeners are happy to keep the smaller scope.

Schedule installation week

Install is a single 2-4 hour site visit. AutoAcre brings the commercial-grade autonomous mower, the charging dock, and runs through boundary mapping with you. The mower starts daily operation that same day. You don't need to be present for the frequent mowing afterward — see the preparation guide for what to have ready before install day.

What to expect in week 1

The autonomous mower runs every day from install onward. The first week often shows the most visible improvement — the saw-tooth pattern from the fortnightly cycle starts smoothing out within 5-7 days. If you've opted for weekly photo reports as an add-on, your first report arrives at the end of week 1.

What to expect by week 4

By the end of the first month, the lawn typically looks measurably tighter and more uniform than it did under the fortnightly cycle. Weeds that were getting a 14-day window to flower and seed get topped daily and progressively reduce. The transition is mostly complete — what you have is what frequent mowing produces ongoing. See daily vs fortnightly cadence for the turf-science behind why this happens.

Set up reporting (optional)

Confirm the email address (or addresses) for the weekly photo report. Many absentee owners or holiday-rental operators add a property manager or family member to the report distribution. Reports include current photos, mower operating status, and any maintenance notes.

FAQ

Common questions during the switch

Should I cancel my contractor before booking the demo?

No. Book the demo first. The on-site demo confirms whether autonomous mowing fits your property's terrain. If for some reason it doesn't, you haven't disrupted your existing arrangement. The demo is non-binding.

How much notice do I need to give my contractor?

Two weeks notice is standard for fortnightly mowing contractors. Most operate month-to-month with no formal contract. If you have a written agreement, check the cancellation terms.

Will my lawn look bad during the transition?

Time the install close to your contractor's last visit and there's no transition gap. AutoAcre's mower starts frequent mowing the same day it's installed, so the lawn never goes more than a fortnightly cycle without mowing during the switch.

Can I keep my contractor for line trimming and detail?

Yes. Many customers keep their gardener for edge trimming, garden bed work and ornamental areas. AutoAcre handles the bulk mowing; the gardener's hours typically drop dramatically.

What if I want to switch back to a contractor?

Month-to-month subscription, no long-term lock-in. Give reasonable notice and AutoAcre arranges removal of the unit. Most customers don't switch back, but the option is always there.

Will switching cost me more than the contractor was costing?

For most properties it lands in much the same range. AutoAcre's monthly management fee scales with mowable acreage and gets quoted after a site assessment. Bring your current mowing invoices along and we'll compare them side by side. Comparable cost, materially more delivered.

Compare options: vs ride-on contractor · vs consumer robotic mowers · daily vs fortnightly cadence.