I have never been a natural gardener. For years, I struggled to keep basic houseplants alive, only to kill them at the first opportunity. It was difficult and stressful to buy a home with a yard, but I knew that I might be able to learn what I was doing wrong and correct the problem. To start off, I focused heavily on the lawn, and tried hard to keep it trimmed and well-maintained. Next, I cleaned up the flowerbeds. It was a lot of work, but I knew that it would pay off in the end. When I was done, my front yard was gorgeous, and guess what--it even stayed alive. This blog is all about loving your little landscape.
When outsourcing your lawn maintenance, you don't want to go with the first company you call. Instead, talk with a few different services so you can find the one that best fits your needs.
1. Is the Company and Employees Licensed and Insured?
Do not hire a service if they don't have the proper local licensing and insurance for their staff. Doing so puts you at risk, as you will be liable to any damages that occur to your property or any injuries that occur on your property. Licensing requirements may vary by municipality, but insurance requirements are fairly uniform. The service should be able to provide proof of liability insurance.
2. Are Full Service Offerings Available?
Instead of contracting out with multiple companies, choose a single maintenance company that can handle all your required tasks. This may include mowing, edging, fertilizing, aerating, and dethatching services. It can also be useful to look for a service with year round offerings, such as garden cleanup and mulching, hedge trimming, snow shoveling, and possibly even holiday light installation.
3. Will the Maintenance Technician Adjust the Mowing Height?
Most mowing services come on a set schedule, usually once a week, at the height of the season. Your grass may not grow at such as consistent rate, though. Further, every grass type has a different ideal height. Verify that the service adjusts the height of the blade to match your grass type at every mowing. This ensures that the grass is not cut too short. Grass that is cut overly short is more likely to burn or thin out. Generally, grass should only be mowed down to a height between 2 and 4 inches, depending on variety.
4. How Are Serviced Billed?
Services bill differently. Some bill once a month, even if your lawn is serviced weekly, while other bill individually for each service performed. Some companies prefer to bill in advance, while other do so at the time of service. Your service may even have package deals where you get a discount if you sign a contract or prepay for a certain amount of service months. Be clear on the billing terms before signing any contract.
5. What Makes This Service Stand Out?
A final question to ask any prospective lawn care service is what they think makes their service stand out compared to others. Perhaps it's the training and experience of their staff, or the extra maintenance provided to the equipment such as ensuring mower blades are always sharp.
Remember to ask these questions when you contact a lawn maintenance company for more information.
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