How to Hire a Lawn Service

Assess Your Lawn's Needs

Annual, routine, and special lawn maintenance work often can be too much for the average homeowner. When evaluating lawn services, you should first determine the amount of immediate and regular lawn care you need. Perhaps you just need a lawn service to help establish your lawn. Or, you may want more extensive maintenance that includes round-the-year watering, mowing, weeding, turf care, and feeding services.

Selecting a Lawn Service Company
Before engaging anyone, conduct a search of available lawn service companies in your area. Local companies may have a greater sense of the types of lawn seed, turf, weeds, and weather conditions specific to your region. Are you looking for total yard care, partial service, or total landscape maintenance?

Partial lawn services may include three to four fertilizations, routine pest prevention, and weed care, while the homeowner is responsible for watering and mowing. Total lawn care typically includes all of the above maintenance, plus mowing, trimming, and irrigation. Total landscape maintenance may include ongoing care and maintenance of the lawn, bushes and shrubs, nearby trees, annual flowers, and gardens.

Before hiring any lawn service company, check with neighbors and get recommendations. Does the prospective company provide bids and complete details of services and fees? Does the lawn company carry insurance and have the necessary state and/or city licenses? You can also check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints filed against the lawn service.