Before you hire a lawn care service, get proposals from several of them. Undercover shoppers at Checkbook.org, find that prices and approaches to lawncare treatments vary greatly.
Kevin Brasler, Checkbook’s executive editor, says you want to find out what they will and won’t do, and what they can and can’t do for you.
“Communicate upfront what your expectations are,” Brasler said. “If you can live with some bare spots, if you can live with some weeds here and there, then make sure they know that. Because you may not need as much treatment as others, but you may still get it if they have a one-size-fits-all approach. But at least discussing this upfront, you might be able to save.”
Brasler suggests asking the company to guarantee in writing that it will refund your money for an entire year if you are not satisfied that it’s met its commitments. Checkbook finds that many companies will offer this guarantee – if you ask.
Checkbook is an independent, non-profit, subscriber-based consumer rating and education service. As a courtesy to Northwest Newsradio listeners, you can use this special link (until June 15, 2022) to get a free 30-day trial membership to Checkbook. This gives you access to all the local ratings, including 23 lawn care services and 91 garden centers around the Sound.
LISTEN to Checkbook’s Consumerpedia podcast: Growing Concerns: How to Buy Plants and Get Good Lawn Care
