But what's the best way to choose a company and know that you're getting a good deal?
The folks at the Delaware Valley Consumer Checkbook have done the research, but even if you're choosing from among the companies they found had high-quality ratings from customers, Executive Editor Kevin Brasler suggests getting at least four estimates.
He explains, "You really do need companies to come out to look at your lawn, because what we do find is that a company that's low-priced for one lawn and one circumstance isn't necessarily going to be low-prices for the next lawn."
Checkbook found prices can vary a lot among companies. Even for the same size lot, with the same stated customer goals, undercover shoppers were quoted prices ranging from $448 up to $1,717.
And price isn't all you need to check.
Brasler says, "It's economical just to treat every customer's lawn that you have the same way, but it's not necessarily the best thing for your lawn. It's not necessarily the best thing for the environment if they're spraying all the lawns with herbicides and pesticides and heavy doses of fertilizers, whether you need it or not."
When you meet with a lawn-care company representative, you should share your priorities. For instance, are you more interested in a lawn that's weed-free, or in lawn-care that limits the use of pesticides?
Brasler adds, "You definitely want everything in writing: what are you going to do? when are you going to do it? and most important, what results can I expect? how soon should I expect to have a nice green lawn?"
And make sure if you're not satisfied, they'll refund your money -- as opposed to just re-treating your lawn with the same products they've already used.
To read more about the Delaware Valley Consumer Checkbook's analysis of lawn-care companies, click here.
