Alright, let’s talk about something that doesn’t exactly scream excitement—but could save you a lot of money, time, and stress: roadside mowing contracts. You might be thinking, “It’s just cutting grass along the road—how complicated could it be?” But trust me, when contracts are involved, there’s always fine print, and that fine print can make all the difference.

Whether you’re a contractor bidding on a job or a government agency putting out a request, roadside mowing contracts come with a surprising number of details. And if you’re not careful, those little clauses can lead to big headaches.

We are Keith’s Tractor Mowing, serving the Greater Fort Worth area with outstanding, professional acreage mowing. Call us today when the job you need completed is too large for your skill set.

It’s Not Just About Cutting Grass

At first glance, mowing a roadside might seem simple: fire up the mower, do a few passes, and move on. But contracts for this work often include way more than that. We’re talking about things like:

• How frequently the mowing needs to be done
• What type of equipment must be used
• How close you need to trim around guardrails, signs, and ditches
• Safety regulations and traffic control requirements
• Disposal of debris and clippings
• Reporting and documentation

And the list goes on.

Now, imagine you sign a contract assuming it’s a basic mowing gig, but then you find out you’re supposed to do monthly reports, manage lane closures, or even clear litter before every pass. That’s not just more work—it’s more costs, more liability, and more room for penalties if something gets missed. These are things commercial mowing services take into account.

Penalties and Performance Clauses in roadside mowing contracts

Speaking of penalties—many roadside mowing contracts include performance-based clauses. That means if you don’t mow to the specified height or miss a scheduled mow due to weather or mechanical issues, you could get dinged financially. Some contracts even allow for early termination if the work isn’t up to par.

This is where reading the fine print really matters. It’s not just about what you do—it’s about how and when you do it. And if you don’t spot those “gotcha” clauses early on, you might find yourself in breach of contract for something you didn’t even realize was a requirement.

The Insurance and Liability Trap

Another area where people get tripped up is insurance. Most commercial lawn mowing contracts will require you to carry general liability insurance, but the amounts and coverage details can vary. Some may also require workers’ comp, auto coverage, or even bonding. If you don’t carry the right policies—or if your coverage lapses—you could be disqualified from the job or left holding the bag in case of an accident.

Again, it’s in the fine print. It might look like boilerplate language, but those clauses are there for a reason—and you’ll want to make sure you’re covered.

Don’t Just Read—Ask Questions

Reading the fine print doesn’t mean you have to accept everything without a second thought. If something seems unclear, overly burdensome, or just plain confusing, ask questions. Reach out to the issuing agency or the contract manager. Sometimes clauses are negotiable, or at least they can be explained in a way that makes expectations clearer.

It’s also not a bad idea to have a lawyer or someone with contracting experience look over things—especially if the contract is long-term or high value.

Bottom Line

Roadside mowing contracts might not seem glamorous, but they’re business—and like any business deal, the details matter. What looks like a simple mowing job could turn into a logistical nightmare if you skip over the fine print.

So, before you fire up your mower or submit that bid, take a close look at what’s really being asked. Read every clause. Understand the expectations. And if something doesn’t make sense—ask. It might not be the most thrilling part of your day, but it could be the smartest.

After all, the grass might not be greener on the other side—it might just be covered in red tape for commercial lawn cutting on roadsides.

A final word about Keith’s Tractor Mowing

Keith’s Tractor Mowing is locally owned and operated and we boast an excellent customer review record.  From roadside mowing contracts to ranch mowing, from cemetery mowing to baseball fields, we take on the big jobs so you don’t have to.

Applying for a roadside mowing contract requires considerable experience, a knowledge/understanding of those contracts, the right equipment for the job, and a good working relationship between the governmental agency and the tractor mowing services company.

Let’s look at each of those qualifications for government mowing jobs.

Experience:  Not only are we talking about years of mowing experience, but we are specifically talking about years of experience with roadside mowing.  Roadside mowing calls for specific skills which can only be attained through years of practice.  It can be dangerous work.  It is, most definitely, precise work.  And without the necessary experience, it will be very costly work.

A knowledge/understanding of contracts:  One look at a governmental contract for roadside mowing will tell you that “faking it” is not an option.  These acreage mowing contracts are detailed and specific.  They categorize jobs according to general mowing, large machine mowing, slope mowing, intermediate machine mowing, and small machine mowing.  They dictate the frequency of mowing, the mowing cycles, the equipment required, the methods of operation, the limitations of operation, and the quality expected.  They cover the maintenance of traffic within the mowing area. Without a complete knowledge of these terms, one should not even bother bidding on such a contract.

The right equipment:  Roadside mowing contracts quite often require equipment for right of way mowing, equipment for         bush hog mowing for heavy jobs, and small job equipment.  That equipment must be able to mow at the same height consistently.  There must be no streaking or scalping.  There must be no accumulation or piling of cutting.  There must be a smooth flowing transition between mowing of different widths.

A good working relationship:  If, on the off-chance, one wins a bid to do roadside mowing for a municipality, future contracts depend on establishing a good relationship with the governmental workers.  Deliver on promises, meet deadline, and do quality work. That is how subsequent bids will be secured.

On top of all that, liability and safety must be considered, as well as the ability to meet deadlines consistently.

These are not jobs for the weak-of-heart or the unreliable, nor are they jobs one learns on the fly.

The best advice one can give to a mowing company who is about to bid on a roadside mowing contract:  Make sure you are qualified or don’t bother bidding.

One company in the Fort Worth area which is qualified is Keith’s Tractor Mowing Services.  Servicing a seventy-five mile radius around Fort Worth, Keith’s has been there, done that, and continues to secure the trust of all agencies it works with.  That kind of track record only comes from experience!

ABOUT KEITH’S TRACTOR MOWING SERVICES

Keith’s Tractor and Mowing Service is owned and operated by Keith Sturgeon, a life-long resident of Dallas Fort Worth. He has been a successful business person in Fort Worth for more than 20 years. Customers enjoy working with Keith because of his friendly customer service and his outstanding quality of work. Specializing in large acreage mowing, government contracts, vacant lot mowing and channel mowing in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Keith’s Tractor Mowing Services is the gold standard in acreage mowing.