How to switch from a fortnightly mowing contractor
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.
- Week 0: Book demo
- Week 1: On-site demo, get quote
- Week 1-2: Notify existing contractor
- Week 3: AutoAcre install + daily mowing starts
- Week 4+: Weekly photo reports, ongoing daily 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 subscription quote (typically $600–$800/month). 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 PANDAG G1, 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 daily 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. You'll receive your first weekly photo report 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 daily mowing produces ongoing. See daily vs fortnightly cadence for the turf-science behind why this happens.
Set up your weekly photo report email
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.
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 daily 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?
Usually within the same range. Fortnightly contractors typically charge $150-$300 per visit ($325-$650/month). AutoAcre is $600-$800/month all-inclusive. Comparable cost, materially more delivered.
Related how-to guides: how to prepare your acreage for autonomous mowing · how to assess if your property is right for autonomous mowing.
Compare options: vs ride-on contractor · vs consumer robotic mowers · daily vs fortnightly cadence.