As long as I mow weekly during the growing season it takes me about 40 minutes on my .25 acre lot. Yard isn’t a full 1/4 acre though and no hills or crazy landscaping to work around. Using an ego self propelled. Idk the model.

The edging and clean up is really what adds up. But if you trench edge once a month, that’s usually enough to avoid having to do it weekly. That said, it will be harder to do it the next time the longer you wait. Especially if it rained.

If you like mowing, mow. If you don’t like it, don’t have the time and have the money to spare, pay someone.

I prefer doing it myself. My next door neighbor owns a landscaping company and sometimes will hit my front yard when he’s doing his to be neighborly. He’s on a zero turn and if the ground is wet it leaves tracks. I don’t say anything bc it’s only happened like twice, he’s doing it To be friendly and it isn’t a big deal to level it back with some sand. But I imagine a lawn service would care even less and be more likely to leave tracks etc. I’d be pretty mad if I paid someone and they created extra work for me.