Marketing for Lawn care companies is a dozen in many parts of the country. They come in all shapes and sizes, from rundown trucks with unsafe trailers and old, unreliable equipment to shiny new trucks with eye-catching logos, sparkling new gear, and professional-looking workers - and everything in between. Just as the old gadgets might offer a great service, the brand new, professional-looking company could be amateurs with no real skills. So how can you differentiate the good from the bad and make the right choice? It's not easy, but there are some questions and things to watch out for.
You get what you pay for
The old adage is largely true, but there are exceptions to every rule. While it may hurt your pocketbook to hire the more expensive company, it might be worth it. Find out about the services they offer and carefully check each lawn program. If you want to fertilize yourself, that should be fine. If you want to decline certain treatments, this should also be fine. A
good lawn care provider should offer his services both à la carte and in packages. However, high prices do not always mean high-quality service.
Ask for their qualifications
Are there agronomists in the staff? What is the background of the owners and supervisors? Many lawn care companies are founded by honest people who do not really know what they are doing. A lawn care company offering fertilizer applications and pest control should have at least one person trained in turf or agriculture. A lawn care company should be open and open about their education, licensing, the products they use and the timing of their use. You should provide a copy of the label and comply with all local and state laws pertaining to pesticide applications.
Mow and go
The
most common lawn care companies are the Mow-and-Go crews. They rush into the yard two or three at a time, cutting, mowing and blowing the walks in a very short time, usually for a good price. Sometimes they offer fertilization and pest control, but again you should be sure of their qualifications. The Mow and Go outfits are great for spring cleaning, mulching and removing leaves in the fall. When choosing a mowing and working company, try to balance the price with the professional look and work. The staff should be clean and polite, and the truck and equipment should be clean and relatively new.
Chemical brothers
There are some big names in lawn care. Their trucks drive through the neighborhoods year-round, delivering applications of herbicides, fertilizers, and other pesticides. The laws vary from state to state (Canada has even banned certain herbicides), but if chemicals are used, this should be done by a licensed professional. In some areas, prior notification, signage on the lawn, or even personal notification is required. The well-known companies usually lack the personal touch that a local lawn service could offer, and some do not take into account the interests of the homeowner. Some turf services provide up to 8 applications of fertilizer or pesticide per season. This is overkill and most likely expensive or even unnecessary. The devil is in the details, a little knowledge of a simple lawn care program helps to not be exploited.
Organic lawn care
A great new market for lawn care companies in the organic industry. The problem is that many lawn care companies have no idea what organic lawn care is all about. A company offering organic services should preferably be exclusively organic. Otherwise, there must be a strict separation between conventional equipment and organic equipment to avoid cross-contamination. It is easy to claim to be biological, but there are standards that should be followed to maintain the integrity of the claim. Look for a bio lawn care company that has certification or accreditation that proves he has formal training. As a customer, look for greenwashing. Phrases like "organic" or "green" do not mean organic.
Conclusion
As with any other service or item that spends a significant amount of money, it is important to do a little research. Look for online reviews, ask the neighbors and ask the questions to the company itself.