Dave Greene Estate Care

Choosing a Lawn Care Service

Ask questions to see which is right for you.

Our community in Suffolk County are served by dozens and dozens of lawn care companies. How can you tell which one is right for you and your project?

Here are some questions suggested by several reputable lawn care professionals.

Do they guarantee their service?
Many companies guarantee your satisfaction. Ask about the specifics. If they damage your lawn, will they fix it or simply refund your money?

How good is their work?
If it’s good, they will have satisfied customers. Ask for referrals. Find out how long the company has been in business and how many repeat customers they have. (A 20 to 30 % annual turnover is normal.) How quickly do they respond to complaints? Will you have to pay for follow up visits? Most companies charge for call-backs.

Do they have a minimum charge?
Do they provide a written contract specifying what services they include? New York law requires lawn care companies to provide customers with written advance notice of automatic renewal services past the first year. Written contracts will also specify the services to be included in the program and chemical application and alternate application dates.

Are they flexible?
Will they make adjustments to their daily routine if needed? What is their response time. How do they get in touch with each other? How do you get in touch with them if you need them?

How do they train their employees?
Training time varies from none to several days. All applicators should have the basic ability to identify grasses, weeds, insects, and diseases. They should also know what they are applying, where they are applying it, and the proper way to apply it.

Are the applicators experienced?
In the lawn care business, much is learned through experience. Experienced employees are more likely to be able to diagnose problems and take care of them. A company’s ability to retain experienced employees provides clues to its professionalism.

Are the applicators certified?
Certification guarantees that the applicators have received training on the safe handling of pesticides and have passed a required test.

Does the company have liability insurance?
Protect your personal property by requiring proof of liability coverage from the company.