A lush green lawn can make your property the envy of the neighborhood. On the other hand, if overgrown weeds, brown spots, and dry, dull grass accent your home, your lawn will attract attention for the wrong reasons. But with a busy schedule, finding the time to keep your outdoor living space looking picture-perfect can be challenging. Hiring a lawn service can solve this predicament, but the trick is finding a reputable company with customizable plans.
Get free, no-commitment estimates from pro lawn services near you.
Powered By: BestReviews + HomeAdvisor
There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all lawn service. A homeowner with a large wooded lot has different requirements than someone with a small, treeless yard. However, the right lawn service company can put together a plan that’s tailor-made for you.
The BestReviews team knows it’s important for homeowners to keep their lawns looking beautiful without overspending on professional lawn care. We can guide you in finding a lawn service in your area that offers the services you need so you won’t be paying for those you don’t. Our shopping guide can point you in the right direction, so continue reading to learn more about lawn care services and how to choose one.
Get free, no-commitment estimates from pro lawn services near you.
Powered By: BestReviews + HomeAdvisor
If you’re ready to hire a professional lawn service, you probably have specific tasks in mind that you want to include in your service plan. That’s why it’s important to consider the type of work you need to be performed, as well as specific details about your lawn before you choose.
If you’re looking for a professional lawn service company to perform specific tasks to maintain your property, you have a lot of options to choose from. In addition to mowing grass, many companies offer a menu of options, including weed removal, tree and shrub pruning, aeration, landscaping, control of some pests, and more. Some companies even offer to analyze your lawn for a customized care plan. You’ll be able to pick and choose the services that work for your budget and property.
Lawn service companies understand that homeowners have different needs when it comes to when and how often they want or need their lawn tended. In addition to completing different tasks, reputable lawn services also offer flexibility when it comes to scheduling care to match your goals. Here’s a glimpse at some popular options:
Occasional: These tasks include mowing or tending the lawn when you’re away on vacation, for example.
Several times per year: You can schedule a service to determine specific needs, such as treating for pests or fertilizing the grass.
Once or twice a month: You can contract with a service to keep weeds under control or shrubs, bushes, and trees well-manicured.
It doesn’t matter if your lawn covers a few feet or a few acres because professional lawn services are used to handling property of all sizes. The price varies with the size of the property and the amount of work to be done.
In addition to mowing, pruning, planting, aerating, and fertilizing, some lawn services offer treatments that can control or eliminate yard pests that have negative effects on both you and your green space. Here are some of the most common critters lawn services deal with:
Fire ants
Grubs
Fleas
Ticks
Aphids
Slugs
Not all lawn services offer an extensive list of services, but the most comprehensive can do a wide range of tasks. These companies are typically larger and may provide landscaping, grass seed planting, sod replacement, and even irrigation system maintenance and installation.
Research is vital to finding a lawn service that meets your needs. An online search will get you started and provide the tools you need to evaluate the difference in policies and services offered by various companies.
Check your area: Even if a lawn service is located in or near your town or city, it may only accept customers within a specific distance. We can help you locate one that will service your area.
Look for flexibility: Some lawn services require that customers stick to a specific maintenance schedule, especially after signing a contract. If flexibility is important to you, ask about the company’s policy regarding altering scheduled service times before you lock in your plan.
Ask about rain dates: What if your lawn is in desperate need of mowing but it rains on your scheduled service day? This happens frequently, and lawn service companies are prepared with makeup dates. However, policies as to when these services are performed vary from company to company, so ask what will happen if you need to reschedule due to Mother Nature’s lack of cooperation.
Find the perfect match: Make sure the company offers the services you need. For example, you might not need tree pruning now, but it’s possible you will in the future. If you lock in a contract that doesn’t offer this service, you’ll have to hire another company to do it later. In addition, some lawn services have lawn size requirements and may not work on property smaller or larger than specific square footage.
Don’t overlook lawn aeration when you’re choosing different tasks from a lawn service. Although fairly simple, this process helps moisture and nutrients reach root systems that in turn make grass grow strong and healthy.
Avoiding these common mistakes will give your lawn noticeable results and eliminate hassles.
Believe it or not, not all lawn service companies insure their employees, which could result in major issues if an accident were to occur on your property. Choose a lawn service that is insured and ask for written proof. This will protect you and the employees should the unexpected happen.
Just because you get a quote from one lawn service provider and like what you see doesn’t mean that you can’t get a better deal from another. Lawn service companies are hoping to get your business and often set their pricing accordingly. Plus, you might be able to negotiate a lower price with the company you prefer if you have cost comparisons that you can share.
It’s easy to focus on basic needs like mowing the grass while failing to think about other services that will beautify and protect your lawn. That’s why it’s important to be sure that any lawn service company you’re considering offers all the services you need or your mistake could cost you more money in the long run. For example, you may not need pest control now, but you might in the future. If you lock in a contract that doesn’t offer this service, you’ll have to hire another company to treat any pest problems that occur down the road.
Ask for your lawn care quote in writing. Make sure it includes all of the services you’re requesting and clear pricing for each.
Find out what type of pest control the service uses. If you opt for pest treatment, find out if the lawn service uses pesticides. If you prefer to avoid chemicals, ask about natural alternatives.
Get information about the lawn service employees. Are they experienced? Does the company perform background checks? They’ll be working on your property, so you want to make sure they’re reputable and trustworthy before you hire the company to do your lawn care.
Tell the company about any land irregularities. If your property is hilly or rocky or has steep inclines, be sure to inform the rep at any lawn care service you’re considering. Some land irregularities could lead to increased costs.
Know what you’re signing. Find out if the lawn care company you choose requires a signed contract, sometimes referred to as a service agreement. If there are any details you don’t understand or that concern you, ask about them before you sign. Additionally, find out about any possible penalties should you have to cancel for any reason.
Make sure the employees have access to your property. This is important if you won’t be home when your lawn service crew arrives. This includes keeping gates unlocked in areas where they’ll be working.
Get free, no-commitment estimates from pro lawn services near you.
Powered By: BestReviews + HomeAdvisor
A. More than likely, yes. Most lawn services offer a variety of options, from a one-time job to regularly scheduled maintenance. However, not all services offer specific cleanup tasks like leaf removal, so be sure to ask what’s included in any biannual cleanup and maintenance packages offered.
A. Lawn services want to keep their customers happy. That’s why most have reps available to answer customers’ questions. Even smaller businesses typically have employees that handle customer care. Before you sign a contract, ask about the fastest way to reach customer service, which may be by phone, email, or text.
A. Yes! Reputable lawn service companies guarantee the work and will assess and correct issues. In addition, should any damage be caused to your property by employees and their lawn equipment, that’s typically covered, too.
