Warmer weather. Longer days. More sunshine. Ah, we just can’t wait until springtime. We bet you feel the same after this long, cold winter. Before you know it, the grass (and weeds) will be growing like crazy. If you would rather spend your time with your family and lounging in the sun, it’s probably time to call a lawn care service. Overwhelmed with all the options out there? Here are 7 important questions to ask before hiring a lawn care company.
1. Which services are included and which cost extra?
Hiring a lawn care company frees you from some the drudgery of home maintenance, while making the exterior of your home look its best. But not all companies are the same, nor do they price the same. Normally, most offer a monthly or seasonal package for a set price. Ask if edge trimming, grass clean up, fertilization, weed control treatments, aeration, and even rain gutter cleaning is included in your price. If you know what is and is not included, you will have an easier time budgeting and will not be surprised by additional charges later on.
2. How often is service provided?
Does the lawn care company provide weekly, biweekly, or monthly mowing? Can you request more frequent service if needed? For example, Prairie Home and Lawn provides weekly service, but can be flexible to your needs.
3. Can the service be customized to your needs?
A good lawn care company should be willing to provide customized service for their customers. Some homeowners have an irrigation system or special decorative features that need to be worked around. Others may have small children or pets and need to be careful of the fertilizer and weed control sprays they use on the grass. You want someone who will be able to provide service tailored to your unique needs.
3. Does the service also include wintertime snow removal?
For our fellow North Dakotans, this is a big one. Some companies operate year-round, providing snow removal in the winter as well as mowing in the temperate months, which could save you money in the long run.
4. What hours and days does the service operate?
While it may not seem obvious at first, it’s important to know the normal working hours of a lawn care company. You or your neighbors may not like a service showing up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday or 9 p.m. on a Tuesday.
5. What happens when there is bad weather?
Have you heard the saying, “If you don’t like the weather in Bismarck, just wait 10 minutes?” Knowing how your lawn care company handles a missed service when there’s a thunderstorm (or, more realistically, blizzard) on your regular service day. Does the company come out the next day or schedule you for later in the week? It’s important to ask because you don’t want to have your replacement day scheduled the day before your next service is due.
6. Is the company insured?
You could just hire the neighbor kid up the street to mow your lawn, but having peace of mind is definitely worth the difference. A lawn care company should carry liability insurance compensation, because it is designed to protect you if damage is done to your home from the company’s work. It also protects you if the service harms another individual or property.
7. What kind of reputation does the company have?
This question is the most important one on this list, because caring for your lawn is an investment. So ask your neighbors and friends who use the lawn service you are considering to check their reputation before signing a contract. Prairie Home and Lawn prides itself with being the most honest and dependable lawn care service out there. So ask around and find out for yourself, then get a free estimate here.
Ask these 7 questions before contracting with any lawn care or landscaping service so you know exactly what kind of service you to expect will help so you can get the most for your money and keep your lawn looking great all season long.