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Determine what you want from a lawn service
Lawn care companies provide a range of services including mowing, maintenance, aeration, seeding, landscaping, fertilizer and pest control applications and ornamental and small tree care.
Find out which companies provide service in your neighborhood
Before looking in the yellow pages or answering an ad, ask your neighbours for a recommendation. It’s a great way to determine the reputation of a company and the quality service it provides.
Ask for a free estimate for service
Companies that quote a price without seeing your lawn are only guessing what your lawn might need.
Ask about the pricing and what services are included
The lawn care company may offer a yearly contract or a simple verbal agreement giving the customer the right to discontinue service at any time. Find out what happens if you have a problem between applications. Are the service calls free or is there a charge?
Consider annual costs as well as cost per application
Many companies allow you to pay after each application and may offer a discount if you pay the annual cost up front.
Have a complete understanding with the company before work starts
Get an explanation of what the service can and cannot do. Find out what kind and amount of treatments are included in the proposed program, approximately when they will be applied and what results can be expected.
Find out what is and what is not guaranteed
Some services may offer a guarantee of performance. Others may offer refunds if they fail to meet your expectations.
Make sure the lawn care company is licensed and is I.P.M. accredited
For the application of lawn care products as required by the Ministry of the Environment. I.P.M. (Integrated Pest Management) means that companies will only apply a pesticide when there is a reason.
It is also important to make sure the company is a member of a professional association such as PLCAO. If you want further information on the company’s service record, contact your local Better Business Bureau. |
