Australia\u2019s lawn mowing and garden care sector involves businesses that provide tree lopping and turf care services. In 2019, it has grown into a $3.1 billion<\/a> industry. Other estimates even say that the country spends $7 billion<\/a> a year on landscaping. The majority of lawn care service providers are legitimate businesses that offer expert services but because only few businesses in this industry report benchmark information<\/a>, it\u2019s difficult to gauge whether the services and rates you receive are applied across the board.<\/p>\n
You\u2019d be gobsmacked to know that even for the same company, a lawn mowing service<\/a> franchisee might quote you a huge variance in services and costs.<\/p>\n
In addition to this, the lawn service industry isn\u2019t spared when it comes to scammers who use legitimate guises to get people\u2019s money. In fact, a lawn care company in the US was required to refund more than $78,000 to consumers after providing overpriced lawn care services<\/a> to senior citizens. The scam involved door-to-door solicitations and deceptively providing consumers with services without disclosing the total amount prior to the transaction.<\/p>\n
Always check who you\u2019re dealing with. Lawn care service scams should be a wake-up call to those who simply hire providers just to get the job done and without doing research. Don\u2019t outright trust flyers and door-to-door services without checking first if the lawn care business is legitimate.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re not keen on doing a thorough background check yourself, at least ask for referrals and feedback from friends and neighbours. You could also get an idea about the service and cost by asking around.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re entrusting so much more than your lawn and garden to lawn care providers. In some cases, you\u2019re allowing them inside your property and giving them access to expensive equipment. Plus, if you\u2019ve invested so much on your lawn, it\u2019d be a total waste if you allow people without training and experience to work on your plants.<\/p>\n
Some lawn care service providers might have no formal training or experience when it comes to the business. But lawn care is more than just mowing services, fertilising plants and pruning trees. Asking for a licensed agronomist on the team may be too much, but it\u2019s necessary to check if the company has a legitimate background and experience when it comes to gardening.<\/p>\n
Check the background of the key people in the business. Ask if the staff undergoes training about plant care, standard practices and safety techniques.<\/p>\n
You can also check if there\u2019s an expert advisor or consultant on board who has enough knowledge about plants, landscaping and gardening. Hiring an expert shows that a lawn service company is serious about doing business and providing quality and expert service.<\/p>\n
Having an online presence is another sign that a lawn care service isn\u2019t a scam. It shows that the company\u2019s committed enough to provide a good site that has information on their products, services and pricing. You could also get more information about the lawn care service company, such as its year of establishment, its key people, customers and projects.<\/p>\n
Online reviews are also worth checking. Though this isn\u2019t always reliable, you\u2019d get an idea about the company by reading a couple of positive and negative reviews.<\/p>\n
Before committing yourself to doing business with a specific lawn care provider, check their previous and current work. It would be reassuring to work with experts who have enough experience on projects. You\u2019d also want to know how they get the job done, so you can have ideas on how to better improve your lawn.<\/p>\n
Not all lawn care providers have customer care service options but a company that\u2019s easy to contact is a sign that you\u2019re dealing with a legitimate business. It\u2019s also more convenient to do business with providers if you can easily contact them. You can quickly schedule sessions, make adjustments, ask for products and services and make general inquiries.<\/p>\n
Certifications and registrations can help you distinguish the legitimate lawn care providers from bogus ones. Certified businesses are usually members or are recognised by lawn industry associations.<\/p>\n
Certifications are also required for lawn care services that provide fertiliser application and pest control since they\u2019re dealing with potentially dangerous chemicals.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s best to do business with lawn care providers that provide insurance. They should, at a minimum, have liability insurance in case something goes wrong. It rarely happens but sometimes equipment problems and accidents may happen. A legitimate company should at least be prepared for such unforeseen occurrences.<\/p>\n
Before the deal is closed, review the contract thoroughly. The contract should include details about the extent of work, timetable, cost and terms of payment. A contract ensures that both you and the service provider have a clear understanding of the extent and cost of the job. This prevents hidden chargers and unexpected costs that you have to deal with once the deal is closed.<\/p>\n
Shop around and ask for deals and discounts. Ask whether the lawn service company has their own equipment or whether they\u2019ll be using yours. Look for bulk options and avoid per hour services if possible since you\u2019d generally save more money.<\/p>\n
Check for the type and extent of services offered as well so that you don\u2019t have to hire another company for other tasks on your lawn.<\/p>\n
No two providers are the same and even little savings for a top-notch service can save you a lot of trouble along the way.<\/p>\n
Having aftercare options from your lawn care provider is helpful. This could ensure that your lawn care service provider wouldn\u2019t simply rush the job as the aftercare would be costly for them. A lot of factors come into play even after having experts care for your lawn, such as growing conditions, type of grass, soil quality and shade. It\u2019s reassuring if you can get aftercare services from your lawn care provider.<\/p>\n
A Bad Experience Should Not Discourage You <\/strong><\/p>\n
Initially, you might not even know that you\u2019re paying more for the services you\u2019re offered. That\u2019s why it\u2019s best if you ask around and inquire first before doing business with lawn care providers in your area.<\/p>\n
Some people who probably got scammed by fake lawn mowing service providers take things into the extreme and might have opted for the $3,000 lawn mowing robot<\/a> instead. Still, you shouldn\u2019t completely lose faith in humanity.<\/p>\n
Landscape maintenance and care from expert providers are less costly\u2014they have their own equipment and are more skilled when it comes to taking care of your lawn. And of course, robots don\u2019t have the green thumb that lawn mowing experts and gardeners<\/a> have. Hiring experts ensure that your lawn is well trimmed, taken care of and healthy all year round.<\/p>\n
Choose the Best Lawn Care Service Provider<\/strong><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not enough that you know that you\u2019re dealing with a legitimate lawn care service provider. You can hire services for half the price from job boards, but this doesn\u2019t ensure that you\u2019ll get the expert service that you\u2019re looking for. Here are some tips you should consider when looking for the best lawn mowing service<\/a>:<\/p>\n