How can I find affordable lawn care that's still reliable and does good work?

How can I find affordable lawn care that's still reliable and does good work?

Everyone is interested in a good deal when it comes to lawn care services. Mowing has to be done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, so finding an affordable service provider can make a big difference in cost in the long run. There are many factors that go into determining the true value of a lawn care bid.

Inexpensive lawn care services aren’t difficult to come by, but many people find it challenging to also find someone who’s reliable. It’s important to know how to separate cheap contractors from more expensive ones. Generally, you can get the best quote for your property by finding a balance between high-quality service and affordability.

Cheap vs good value: What’s the difference?

“Cheap” doesn’t necessarily mean good, so you should be cautious of quotes that seem too good to be true. Oftentimes, excessively cheap lawn maintenance will be of poor quality with lots of mistakes. In some cases, the mower may not show up at all.

Good value services will help you save money, and you may be surprised by the quality. They may also include other services that other quotes didn’t offer. 

Risks of hiring a “cheap” lawn care company

Cheap landscaping services can be a bad idea for your property. While you might not have to pay a lot in cash, you’ll pay in other ways. Some of the risks involved with this include:

• Lawn damage: There’s a higher risk that cheaper lawn companies will damage your property. Low-end equipment can leave ruts in the yard. Your flower beds could be damaged by someone who’s inexperienced with weed control.

• Financial liability: Cheap contractors are likely uninsured. If they were to get injured on your property, you could potentially be liable.

• Long-term yard health: Experienced lawn care pros know how to mow properly so that the soil doesn’t compact. Someone who doesn’t know this could damage the lawn over time and make it more difficult to grow lush grass. Cheaper landscapers may not understand that warm-season grass types have specific needs, for example.

When “cheap” is acceptable

Sometimes, it’s okay for a homeowner to hire a cheap and inexperienced contractor. Some lawns just need basic lawn care because they don’t grow very fast. In this type of circumstance, there’s not much on the line, and it’s probably not worth spending more than you have to.

Reliability vs price: What’s more important?

This is a dilemma that many homeowners face. Is it better to find someone who offers a good deal, or better to find someone who always shows up on time and does an excellent job?

The answer to this really depends on your personal preferences. If price is no object, it can be very worthwhile to invest in premium, quality services because you know that they’ll be done perfectly. If affordability is important, you might want to consider bids at the lower end of the range. However, make sure that you don’t sacrifice quality.

Striking a balance

For most homeowners, the best lawn care service has a balance of reliability and cost. Search for quotes that are neither too high nor too low. Compare reviews once you find some that fit in your budget.

Multiple bids are the key to finding affordable services

The best way to get great work at a great price is to get multiple quotes. This is one of the biggest benefits of using a professional lawn care app like GreenPal. You’ll have multiple quotes come straight to your phone, so there’s no need to call around anymore.

Types of lawn mowing professionals: Who’s the most reliable?

There are a couple of different types of lawn care experts that you can hire for lawn mowing and landscaping design. Some are more reliable than others:

Average lawn care prices based on yard size

So what does affordable mean? It’s very dependent on region and lawn size. For obvious reasons, a larger lawn will cost more money. However, the price to mow one lawn in Nashville may be much lower than lawn care in Los Angeles.

In general, the average cost for lawn care nationwide is $50. But here’s a breakdown of weekly lawn care costs based on the size of the yard:

• 1/8 acre yard: $30-40

• 1/4 acre yard: $45-65

• 1/2 acre yard: $50-75

• 1 acre yard: $60-100

Standard services: What should be included?

All lawn care, no matter how affordable, should offer the same standard set of services. By using an app like GreenPal, these types of services are guaranteed. When you hire a professional off the platform, you’ll get mowing, weedwhacking, sidewalk edging, and cleanup.

Other services are sometimes offered by lawn care pros at an additional cost.  These can include shrub pruning, lawn aeration, mulching, fertilization, dethatching, and leaf removal.

Best tips for finding a reliable professional

Finding a contractor who’s both reliable and affordable can be challenging. Most homeowners don’t know where to begin when it comes to comparisons. There are a few key things that you should look for with every potential provider.

Good ratings and reviews

Nothing speaks louder than a five-star rating with hundreds of reviews. This is one of the first things that you should examine. On GreenPal, all reviews are associated with an actual job. There’s no way for contractors to get fake reviews or have their friends help them out. Reviews on the platform are completely authentic.

Quality past project images

Pictures of past work are the best way to see how skilled a landscaper is. On GreenPal, you can easily view them on the lawn care pro's profile. If you’re hiring off the platform, make sure you ask to see some images before you hire. 

Understanding of grass and soil types

Some properties have unique needs when it comes to their lawn care. They might have higher-end grass or live in an environment that’s sensitive to drought. It’s important that your lawn care person understands the specifics of your property so that they won’t damage anything.

Good communication

Finally, look for their communication. Your contractor should be responsive and friendly, and not difficult to converse with. Professionals will answer all your questions without any catch. If someone is rude or unresponsive, it’s a sign that they won’t be reliable or offer great lawn care service.

Find reliable and affordable lawn care with GreenPal

As a homeowner, you don’t have the time to spend hours comparing lawn care pros to one another, just hoping that you’ll find the right person. With GreenPal, everything is made easier. 

All you have to do is input your address into the app, answer a few questions about your lawn, and then post your property to the site. After a few hours, you’ll start getting detailed quotes from people who are interested in doing the job. After compiling quotes, you can then compare each pro to the others and find someone ideal for your property’s needs. Sign up as a new homeowner today to start getting free quotes.