Everybody — well almost everybody — loves a green lawn. But keeping it neat and tidy, weed free and green is another story. Green lawns take work and not everyone enjoys time behind the mower or the fertilizer spreader.
To the rescue is a plethora of lawn-care services ranging from the kid down the block to national lawn-care companies. And if you’ve noticed that the number of lawn- care services is growing as fast as, well, your grass, there’s good reason. According to the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), more than 30 million acres of turf cover the United States and homeowners spend more than $11.6 billion planting and maintaining it.
In addition to being the perfect medium for bare feet and somersaults, turf contributes to the environment in a positive way. A well-maintained, 50-foot-by-50-foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four. PLANET notes that eight healthy front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning, enough to cool 16 average homes. Dense, healthy grass also slows down and filters runoff, removing contaminants and trapping soil.
If you’re one of the growing number of people opting out of yard work but who wants to keep your landscape in tip-top condition, your BBB suggests that you choose a lawn service in the same manner as any other service professional.
First, decide what services you need and get estimates from several lawn-care companies so you can compare apples to apples. Are you looking for a perfectly manicured and green lawn? Then you may need a company whose services include pest control, dethatching, reseeding and core aeration as well as fertilizing and lawn cutting.
Don’t know who to call? Ask neighbors, friends and family for referrals and then check them out with the BBB. Is the company a member of a professional lawn-care association? Is it licensed to apply lawn chemicals? This is important because application of any chemicals other than fertilizer requires a license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Then ask the company representative to visit your home and provide you with an evaluation of your lawn and written estimate of recommended services. Does the company individualize its services? Or is it one lawn fits all?
Ask the lawn service if you have a choice in products used on your lawn. Can you get a lawn program that offers reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides?
And of course, you’ll want to ask about price. Most companies base their prices on a property’s total square footage of the turf area. Some providers may offer an annual contract, seasonal contract or be available on an on-call basis. What happens if you have an issue that arises between scheduled visits? Be sure to ask.
Make sure you have a written contract from the lawn care company you hire. It should clearly state the services you will receive as well as how you will pay for it. Have a trusted friend or relative read over the contract if you’re unsure.
And lastly, make sure that your concept of a well-maintained, green yard is also your lawn-care company’s.
Don’t go a day without your BBB. Follow us on Twitter
www.twitter.com/wyncobbb). For more consumer information or to check out the BBBlog, visit
www.wynco.bbb.org or call us at 970-484-1348 or 800-564-0371.