Selecting a Lawn Service

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Whether you choose to care for the lawn yourself or hire a professional firm is a personal decision. Convenience, lack of interest and time are reasons people choose to hire a firm. Selecting a company that you feel comfortable with is important. Following are a few tips for helping you select a lawn care service.

Determine your needs for a service. Lawn care companies provide a range of services from mowing, aeration, seeding, and fertilization to pest control. Many also provide maintenance of trees and shrubs. Choose a firm that can service your needs.

Talk to friends and neighbors before going to the yellow pages or answering an ad to find out what others recommend. Word of mouth is often the best endorsement for a company.

Ask for a lawn inspection and a free estimate for service. Companies that quote a price without seeing the lawn are only guessing what your needs might be.

Ask about pricing systems and what services are included. The lawn company may offer a yearly contract or a verbal agreement giving you the right to discontinue at any time. Find out what happens in case of a disagreement.

Consider the annual cost as well as the per application cost. Many companies offer pay as you go while other may discount for payment up front.

Have a complete understanding with the company before work starts. Get an explanation of what the service can and can not do. Ask about what kind of treatments are included in the program, when they will be applied, and what results can be expected.

Guarantees, is there one or not. Some offer guarantee of performance while others may refund if the application fails to meet expectations.

Make sure the lawn service is licensed for the application of lawn care products as required by state law. The Kansas or Missouri Department of Agriculture can assist with licensing questions.

Does the company belong to professional organizations that keep them abreast of new methods or participate in training courses provided by Extension or other groups. Professionalism should be high within the company.

Last, trust your instincts. Select a firm you feel comfortable working with and that is responsive to your needs

Dennis Patton, DPatton@oznet.ksu.edu
County Extension Agent, Horticulture
Johnson County, Kansas
Kansas State University Research and Extension