How to Choose the Right Lawn Care Service

Even if you love cutting your own lawn, it helps to have a reputable service when you’re away. Taking care of your lawn can be a chore. Maintaining a good stand of turf requires mowing, trimming, fertilizing and heading off or curing problems. If you’d rather leave the headache to someone else, consider hiring a lawn care service.

Use these tips to help ensure the company you hire will do the job right:

First, decide which services you want. Most offer fertilizing, weed and pest control, aerating, mowing and small tree and shrub maintenance.
Inquire about the company’s philosophy and methods. Some questions to ask are: Do they use long-acting fertilizers? Do they routinely spray for pests or problems that you haven’t experienced? Do they check your soil before recommending a fertilization program?
Talk to your neighbors who use lawn care services. It’s always good to get other homeowner recommendations.
Don’t be afraid to request a lawn inspection and free estimate of service costs from a company. Beware of companies that quote a guaranteed annual price without having seen your lawn.
Inquire about price and which services are included in that price. Some companies require a yearly contract; others will work on verbal agreements which can be discontinued by the customer at any point.
Inquire about difficulties that may arise in between applications. Will there be a charge for these services?
Inquire about paying for annual fees at once. Is there a discount? This method could prove to be more convenient than paying after each treatment.
Understand what services the company is proposing to provide before work starts. Find out what treatments are included, approximately when they will be applied and what results to expect.
What is guaranteed? Some will assure performance and others will refund your money if the work is unsatisfactory.
Is the company licensed to apply lawn-care products as required by your state?
Check your local Better Business Bureau to find out more information on a specific lawn-care company’s service record.