A thick, healthy lawn does wonders for property values and overall well-being, but maintaining one takes a lot of time.
It’s no surprise that landscaping is a 176.5 billion-dollar industry in the US. 40% of Americans hire professionals for lawn services.
Here are some things to know before hiring lawn services in Shoreline, WA including:
- How to select someone to do the work
- What questions to ask
- What you can expect from a lawn service company
Quick Summary
- Make a list of services you would like such as mowing & edging, and fertilizing.
- Check Google reviews before contacting a lawn services professional.
- Look for lawn service providers with a business license, applicator’s license liability insurance, and a professional certification.
- Mention pets, lawn furniture, special plants or allergies beforehand.
- Get a written quote before the work starts.
- Communicate with your service provider when you’re dissatisfied.
- Give them a chance to fix things.
- When in doubt, ask for clarification.
1. Free resources
Did you know that Washington State University conducts studies on the best lawn care practices?
Check out some of their tips on maintaining a healthy lawn.
Some light reading will help you make an informed decision.
2. Your starting point
Before considering whether to get lawn services, it helps to know what you need.
Take a quick survey of the condition and health of your lawn and landscape.
Will they require a lot of attention to make them presentable?
If things have gone to seed, a lawn care services company may want to charge extra for an initial renovation.
3. Know what you want
Before contacting a lawn service provider, it helps to know what you want.
Here are some of the most common landscaping services:
- mowing and edging
- hedge trimming
- fertilizing
- bug and/or disease treatment
- weeding
- mulching
- lawn aeration or de-thatching
- planting or reseeding
- clean-up and hauling
Now that you know have an idea of what services are offered, you have three main choices:
- Get help mowing and edging the lawn and do the rest yourself.
- Pick and choose which tasks to have done.
- Let the professionals handle everything and enjoy your yard.
4. What to look for
In the state of Washington, you just need a mower and a business license to start providing lawn services legally.
It helps if the professional you hire has local experience and roots in the community.
Here are four things you can check to increase the chance of finding a qualified professional:
A BUSINESS LICENSE
As mentioned above it’s mandatory in Washington to have one. This simply registers the individual with the local government but doesn’t guarantee high-quality work.
That will depend on the expertise and integrity of the service provider.
A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION or MEMBERSHIP
A certification isn’t necessary, but shows how dedicated they are to their craft. Involvement in the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association, or the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP) is a plus. Also, attending trade shows regularly speaks to how up-to-date they are on lawn care and landscaping practices.
AN APPLICATOR’S LICENSE
The good news is, Washington State Department of Agriculture requires a certification to use pesticides that must be updated regularly.
Application of chemicals must observe strict guidelines, and anyone who applies pesticides must pass intensive exams to get licensed.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Things happen and it’s nice to know you’re protected if your property gets damaged or someone gets injured in the course of performing lawn services.
Not all lawn care companies have this, so be sure to check!
It also helps to know what contracted services your personal homeowner’s insurance policy covers.
5. Know your options
There are three main options when it comes to landscaping professionals:
- individual who is the owner/operator
- independent businessperson who has trucks and work crews which they oversee
- franchise, which could be a local, regional or national operation
They each have their strength and weaknesses.
Some solo operators just mow, blow and go on to the next yard.
Those with multiple crews or franchise lawn care companies offer a full spectrum of lawn services.
You can get good results with any of the options above, but it all comes down to the integrity, expertise, and effort of the person doing the work.
6. Special circumstances
Having a dog or other pet, lawn furniture, special plants or allergies may alter how you get your lawn taken care of.
For example, you many need to put your dog inside and clean up any droppings before your lawn is tended to. A reputable lawn care company may skip service or charge you a hefty cleanup fee otherwise.
Lawn furniture, ornaments or anything else will need to be moved before work can begin.
The same goes for exotic plants or those of special importance at risk of damage.
You may also prefer the use of organic/natural materials or have an allergy to certain chemicals.
These may change your routine and should be discussed with your lawn service provider.
7. What to ask
Now that you have that figured out, you’re ready to start contacting service providers. Here are some good questions to ask:
BASICS
- What lawn services and/or packages do you offer?
- Who does the work and who supervises?
- Will the same individual or crew do the work consistently?
- How much experience do they have?
- What kind of training have they received?
- Will someone on the job always be able to speak English?
- Do your employees perform all lawn care services, or are some tasks sub-contracted out?
SCHEDULING
- What kind of schedule do you follow? (Does this align with your personal needs and schedule?)
- What frequency options do they offer?
- Are services decreased seasonally, for example, during winter?
CHANGES
- Can you add or subtract services without a penalty or restriction?
- How much notice should I give when requesting changes?
MONEY
There are many variables in quoting a job including size of the lawn, terrain, obstacles, fences, how much edging relative to lawn size, etc.
- What do you charge for a simple mow, edge, and clean up?
- How much are special services that are performed irregularly?
- How do you invoice, when is it due, and what type of payment do you accept?
8. Making sure you click
It can be intimidating to let a stranger know where you live. At this point you’ve interacted with the candidate and gotten a feel for them.
How comfortable are you with them? Do they seem as detail-oriented as you are?
Think about how compatible they are with you.
Regardless of how hands-on you are, it’s important to let them do their work. If you find issues after, contact the supervisor to resolve them.
9. What to get
- Get a written quote or estimate.
- A reference from individuals an arm’s length away is preferable. Google reviews are a decent indicator of customer satisfaction.
- Get a contract that specifies services and how much they cost.
10. How to resolve issues
Mistakes happen and even with all the due diligence above, you may not be satisfied with the results.
Make a note of the issues, and document them. (A cell phone camera picture should work.). Share the picture and politely explain the situation.
A good lawn care company should be willing to make things right, unless your expectations are too high.
Give them an opportunity to resolve things and if necessary, find another company.