Six steps to ensure you’re hiring the right lawn care company

Better Business Bureau

Six steps to ensure you’re hiring the right lawn care company
BBB offers advice for finding a trustworthy business when you’re in the market for landscaping services
Now that spring weather has arrived, many Texas homeowners are thinking about how they can improve their lawns and gardens. For some, it’s a matter of mowing and trimming. Others may want to adjust their landscaping to the Texas climate, using less water, fertilizer and pesticides.
For those who lack a green thumb, a lawn care service or landscaper can help give you the yard of your dreams. However, it’s important to pick the right company. Hiring the wrong company could turn your dream landscape into a nightmare.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin advises consumers to get clear, written expectations for the services the company will provide and agree on a fee before work starts.
Last year, BBB received over 7,000 complaints against landscape contractors and lawn maintenance contractors. Many of the consumers were unhappy with the services provided and alleged the companies they hired did not perform the duties they agreed upon. Others complained about problems with advertising or billing. It’s important to do your research before hiring a lawn care business. You can find a list of BBB Accredited lawn or landscaping contractors at checkbbb.org.
BBB offers the following six steps to finding a lawn care company you can trust:

1. Know what you want from a lawn service. Lawn care companies provide many services, so it is important to decide which services and products are appropriate for your needs and budget.
2. Find a trustworthy company. Go to bbb.org to check the company’s BBB Business Review. You can find important background on the business, such as how long it has been in business, advertising issues, ownership information and how it resolves complaints.
3. Check references. Ask the company for references and photos of previously completed projects. Call references, and ask about their experience working with the company and if they were satisfied with the services provided.
4. Ask for a lawn inspection and free estimate. Lawn care companies that quote a price without seeing your lawn may not give you an accurate estimate. A company should be willing to visit your home to provide you with an agreed upon fee.
5. Get a written agreement. A contract should clearly state the services you will receive, guarantees and refund policies, as well as how and when payment will be handled. If you are using a recurring service, the contract should also include how often the company will come out to work on your lawn, how to cancel the service and a schedule for when payments are due.
6. Shop around. Get written estimates from a few different companies. Keep in mind the cheapest is not always the best. You may want to pay more for higher quality services.