Hiring a scooper vs. doing it yourself
We'll make the case honestly — including the cases where you shouldn't hire us.
- Real time math
- No contract either way
- First clean free
- No contracts, cancel anytime
- Background-checked techs
- Photo proof every visit
- Same tech every visit, day you pick
Side by side
| Factor | Doing it yourself | Scoop Cop |
|---|---|---|
| Time per week | 30–60 minutes | 0 minutes |
| Cost per month | ~$5 in bags, plus your time | $30 per visit, weekly |
| Thoroughness | Depends on daylight and motivation | Full perimeter every visit |
| Waste disposal | Sits in your bin until pickup day | Hauled off your property |
| Winter & rain | Usually skipped | Same schedule |
| Proof it got done | You were there | Photo text after every visit |
When DIY is the right call
One dog, a small fenced yard, and a habit of picking up after each trip outside — that's a system that works, and paying someone $120 a month to replace it isn't a good trade. Same if you're home a lot and genuinely don't mind the task.
The pattern that doesn't work is intending to scoop weekly and actually scooping monthly. That's when brown spots appear, flies show up in July, and the yard becomes something you avoid rather than use. If that describes the last six months, the honest comparison isn't service versus DIY — it's service versus nothing.
The other tipping points are dog count and life stage. Three or more dogs, a new puppy, a toddler crawling in the grass, a bad back, or a job that eats weekends all move the math decisively toward hiring it out.
Common questions
Your first clean is on us.
No card on file. No contract. If you don't love the first visit, you don't pay a cent — really.
- Licensed & insured in Virginia
- Photo proof after every visit
- Guaranteed — or your next visit is free
Offer valid for new residential customers in our NOVA service area. One per household.