Is DIY Really Saving You Time?
Owning a dog comes with plenty of rewards—daily walks, endless companionship, and someone who’s always excited to see you come home.
It also comes with one chore that nobody looks forward to: cleaning up dog poop.
Many homeowners across Edmonton automatically assume it’s easier and cheaper to do it themselves. After all, how hard can it be?
The truth is, cleaning up after your dog isn’t difficult. Many homeowners eventually compare doing it themselves with a dog poop cleanup service in Edmonton to see which option saves more time.
Between work, family commitments, yard maintenance, and trying to enjoy Alberta’s short summer, those “quick” backyard cleanups can add up faster than you think.
Let’s compare the two options honestly.
What DIY Dog Poop Cleanup Really Involves
When most people think about cleaning up their yard, they picture grabbing a bag and spending a few minutes outside.
In reality, every cleanup involves much more than simply picking up a few piles.
Most homeowners need to:
- Walk the entire yard to locate every pile.
- Carry bags and a scooper.
- Pick up all visible waste.
- Double-check areas hidden by longer grass.
- Dispose of the waste properly.
- Clean and sanitize equipment afterward.
- Wash hands and shoes before heading back inside.
If you’ve ever skipped a week because life got busy, you already know the next cleanup takes considerably longer.
What starts as a ten-minute job can quickly become a half-hour or more.
The Time Adds Up Over the Summer
Let’s look at the numbers.
If cleaning your yard takes an average of 30 minutes each week, here’s what that looks like over the course of one summer.
| Weekly Cleanup | Time Spent |
| 30 minutes per week | 2 hours per month |
| 12 weeks of summer | 6 hours |
| 20 weeks of warm weather | 10 hours |
That’s nearly an entire day spent doing one household chore.
Now think about what you could do instead.
- Take the kids to the park.
- Go camping for the weekend.
- Spend an evening on the patio.
- Play catch with your dog instead of cleaning up after them.
- Simply relax after work.
Your time has value.
The Hidden Costs of DIY
Many homeowners only consider the cost of hiring a service.
They rarely think about the costs involved in doing it themselves.
Those include:
- Waste bags
- Scoopers and rakes
- Storage containers
- Replacement equipment
- Time
- Fuel if you’re transporting waste
- Cleaning supplies
Then there’s the cost that’s harder to measure:
Your weekends.
Summer weekends are limited, especially in Alberta.
Every hour spent scooping is an hour you’re not enjoying your yard.
Comparing DIY vs Professional Service
Here’s a simple comparison that many homeowners find helpful.
| DIY Cleanup | Poo Pickers Weekly Service |
| You supply all equipment | We bring everything |
| You spend 20–40 minutes every week | We do the work while you’re at home or away |
| You handle waste disposal | We take care of disposal |
| Miss one week, and the work doubles | Your yard stays consistently clean |
| Equipment needs cleaning | No cleanup for you |
| Easy to procrastinate | Reliable scheduled visits |
| You remember when to do it | We remember for you |
Professional service isn’t about doing something you can’t do.
It’s about removing another chore from your list.
Why More Edmonton Families Are Hiring Help
Busy families today have more demands on their time than ever before.
Work.
Sports.
Camping.
Vacation.
Home projects.
Family gatherings.
Instead of spending saturday morning cleaning the yard before guests arrive, many homeowners are choosing recurring services that keep their property ready all the time.
It’s one less thing to think about.
And sometimes that’s worth more than anything.
It’s Not Just About Time
Other benefits often surprise homeowners.
A Cleaner Lawn
Weekly dog waste removal service helps prevent waste from building up and damaging your grass.
Fewer Flies
Old waste attracts insects much faster during warm weather.
Less Odor
Nobody wants unpleasant smells drifting across the patio during dinner.
Safer Outdoor Spaces
Regular cleanup creates a healthier environment for children, visitors, and pets who spend time in the yard.
What Is Your Time Worth?
Here’s a different way to think about it.
Imagine your free time is worth $30 per hour.
If you spend 30 minutes every week cleaning up after your dog, you’re investing roughly$15 worth of your time each cleanup.
Over the course of a season, those hours add up quickly.
Professional service isn’t just paying someone to scoop poop.
It’s buying back your weekends.
And for many homeowners, that’s well worth the investment.
Poo Pickers Pro Tip
One missed cleanup quickly becomes two.
Dog waste accumulates much faster than most homeowners expect, especially if you have multiple dogs or a busy family schedule. A regular weekly visit keeps your yard consistently clean and prevents small jobs from becoming overwhelming.
So… Which Option Is Better?
The answer depends on what you value most.
If you enjoy doing your own yard work and have plenty of spare time, DIY cleanup may work perfectly well.
But if your weekends are already packed with family activities, work, travel, or simply enjoying the outdoors, the reasons to hire a dog poop pick up service in Edmonton can free up hours of your time while keeping your yard in great shape.
Many Poo Pickers customers tell us they didn’t realize how much they disliked the chore until they no longer had to do it.
Sometimes convenience is the best investment you can make.
Spend Less Time Cleaning and More Time Enjoying Your Yard
At Poo Pickers, we help homeowners throughout Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Beaumont, and surrounding communities reclaim their weekends with reliable weekly dog poop removal.
Whether you’re ready for a one-time cleanup or want the convenience of recurring service, we’ll take care of the dirty work—so you can enjoy your yard instead of maintaining it.
After all, your dog deserves a clean yard… and so do you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to clean up dog poop yourself?
At first glance, yes. However, when you factor in your time, equipment, disposal supplies, and ongoing effort, many homeowners find that professional service offers better overall value.
How long does it take to clean up a yard?
It depends on the size of your property and the number of dogs, but most homeowners spend anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes per cleanup. Missing even one week can significantly increase that time.
Is weekly dog poop removal worth it?
For busy families, professionals, seniors, and homeowners with multiple dogs, weekly service keeps the yard consistently clean, protects the lawn, and saves valuable time.
Do you provide dog poop removal outside Edmonton?
Yes! Poo Pickers proudly serves Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Beaumont, Devon, Fort Saskatchewan, and surrounding communities.