If you truly have someone (a service I'll call it) mowing, just tell your neighbor you really can't pick the time. And if they have windows open, that's on them and not you. And if they do have the house all closed up, again, that's on them and not you.
In June I worked on repairing my shed, about a 3 week near total rebuild of all walls + paint and trim. Deconstruction, hammering, sawing, power tools, air compressor, etc. Did it all myself with leaving everything inside during the entire process.
I didn't begin to use "noisy things" until 8am, but I'd be outside working at 6am to beat the heat. Every weekday (and a couple Saturdays), there was the sound of construction going on in the neighborhood beginning around 7ish am. So, I didn't feel all that guilty.
None of my neighbors complained, and they never have whenever I have projects going on (I'm always fixing up something...big time DIYer).
But yeah, weekdays 8am, weekends 9am, and on all days begin mowing no later than an hour before sundown. Neighbors don't like it, tough shit.
What's funny is in 2007 I installed double pane double hung windows all around, new underlayment, new siding/Tyvek etc. The soundproofing that all did was incredible...there's really no noise that seeps through that's bothersome. Hell, my next door neighbor drives a Harley...no biggie.
