Personal items in the yard

What to do right away

Walk the whole service area before you unload, including a buffer around piled or bagged items near your path. Then sort what you find:

• Move it if you choose. Small, quick items like toys, water bowls, and loose hoses. It's a courtesy, never required. Put them back after the mow.
• Work around it. Larger furniture, fixed decorations, staked or spigot-attached hoses. Mow close and trim the edges.
• Flag and message. Furniture covering a big share of the yard, or a hazard like a staked tie-out cable in your path. Don't mow through it.

You never have to move a customer's belongings, whatever the size. If a customer asks you to move furniture or play equipment, you can decline.

If an item blocks a big part of the yard or you find a hazard, message the customer first, then file a Property Issue report (Tasks > Today's Jobs > select the address > Other > Property Issue). Messaging first gives them a chance to move it themselves.

• Partial obstruction (you finished part of the yard): you're paid in full for the visit. If the customer disputes it, you return at no extra charge to the customer, but you can receive a trip fee.
• Full obstruction (the whole yard is blocked): you aren't paid for the visit. You may get a $12 trip fee depending on your tier (Blue and Silver one per property per quarter, Gold three, Platinum unlimited). GPS must be on to qualify; check the Performance section for your eligibility.

What to document

If you damage something, stop and take a photo.

Who to contact

Report damage in the app: View Job Details > tap the three dots next to the service > under Other, tap Contact Support > Service > Report damage at the property. Don't try to fix or hide it first.

Why it matters

Customers who find concealed damage tend to be more upset than customers who were told upfront. Reporting damage or a blocking item right away protects you if a dispute comes up. A damage report doesn't hold or speed up your payout.