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Lawn Service Client Perspective - New Poster


Introduce Yourself

Welcome all new forum members. Please introduce yourself and tell us about you. Tell us about your company. How did you get started? How long have you been in business? What do you do for fun? Don't be shy, say hello! It's fun and educational to interact on the forum!
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  #1  
Old 01-20-2013, 11:15 AM
Smitty911 Smitty911 is offline
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Default Lawn Service Client Perspective - New Poster

I think I've found the right place to ask.

I'm not in the lawn service business, but here is the situation.

I've had several people/companies over the last 6 years cutting my front yard only, I take care of the back, when I have time. They mow twice a month, my lawn looks like hell, bare, hard ground, poor grass. $40.00 a month, they are here for Mow, Edge occasional hedge - Start to finish 11 minutes.

I know part is my fault for not watering enough, but we don't want to leave water marks on our neighbors cars, I'm in Southern Ca. and water spots are painful to remove. Three large pop up Impact sprinkler heads in the corners.

Not once has one of these "Experts" made suggestions on what I can do to minimize the water on other peoples cars, made suggestions on sprinkle changes, timing, etc. to get a healthy looking yard.

So the question is what do I do to get a nice looking yard again? Water intervals, re-seeding, new sprinklers, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks for your help,

Smitty
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  #2  
Old 01-20-2013, 02:35 PM
willshome willshome is offline
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Lawn care business tips
most types of grass need mowing every 4 to 8 days. 2 times a month is just to long. You are cutting to much of the grass blade and hurting the grass (only cut up to a 1/3 at a time)
Most grass needs watering once a week 1". Take a tune fish can and put it on the lawn turn on the sprinklers time how long it takes to fill, that is how long to run you sprinklers. Run your sprinklers at 4am
The water spots on the car, are you watering during the day? don't watering during the day burns lawns

$40 for two mows I would be broke, you are getting a cheap mow
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Old 01-20-2013, 03:24 PM
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listen to will,

Your paying to little and not often enough. I know its only 11 mins but the guys that will work for $20, know little to nothing about healthy grass.

Water your grass who cares that your neighbors cars are wet.

Cut more often and cut less off at a time.
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Old 01-20-2013, 05:37 PM
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I've had several people/companies over the last 6 years cutting my front yard only, I take care of the back, when I have time.

I understand that lawn maintenance can be expensive, which is why you probably take care of your own back lawn. Makes sense.

Unfortunately, that is probably why the company you had hired doesn't make any suggestions, they probably see that you are not interested in paying more.

They may be ignorant, or they are just making a fair assumption.

They mow twice a month, my lawn looks like hell, bare, hard ground, poor grass.

Your lawn needs to be mowed weekly if you are looking to keep your lawn at around 2 1/2 - 3".

Cutting tall grass down to 2 1/2 inches will often cause damage.


$40.00 a month, they are here for Mow, Edge occasional hedge - Start to finish 11 minutes.

I'm from a different part of the world, so I can't compare prices.

I am impressed that they have included hedge trimming in the price; you might actually be getting more then you are paying for.

We all have lawns that take 11 minutes to complete, this isn't anything to be worried about, especially if it's just your front yard.

I know part is my fault for not watering enough, but we don't want to leave water marks on our neighbors cars, I'm in Southern Ca. and water spots are painful to remove. Three large pop up Impact sprinkler heads in the corners.

That sounds frustrating. Are you able to have your irrigation tweaked so that the water isn't spreading onto your neighbors vehicles?

Not once has one of these "Experts" made suggestions on what I can do to minimize the water on other peoples cars, made suggestions on sprinkle changes, timing, etc. to get a healthy looking yard.

If you could provide a picture of your lawns layout, I think we'd be able to come up with some suggestions that may benefit you.


Good luck!
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Old 01-21-2013, 12:30 PM
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This brings up a great topic on what lawn care business owners could include in their marketing. If it is an issue for one customer, it would most likely be an issue for many customers.
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Old 01-22-2013, 10:47 AM
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Don't take this the wrong way but

You get what you pay for .......

There is no way that anyone that has a legitimate lawn care business can mow for $20.00

I suggest you look for a better service provider and be willing to spend a little bit more ....
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Old 01-22-2013, 02:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dougcaskey View Post
Don't take this the wrong way but

You get what you pay for .......

There is no way that anyone that has a legitimate lawn care business can mow for $20.00

I suggest you look for a better service provider and be willing to spend a little bit more ....
I agree 100% Plus if you are paying them to mow the front that screams cheap to me. He may know alot about lawn care her just does not care about your lawn because you only have him cut the front...

If you called me and asked me to just mow your front yard I would tell you that we will only provide full service. I suggest you you decide if you want to pay for a real lawn care program or if you still want to be cheap and only pay to have them cut the front.
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Old 01-22-2013, 04:58 PM
KateLatierra KateLatierra is offline
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Agree that twice a month is not going to work and your lawn needs more than just "mindless" mowing. Then again, like the other guys have already mentioned, you've got it cheap. Maybe talk to your current service provider and negotiate a new set up and pricing of course or get someone else. Reality is we have to invest a little more for great looking lawns or landscape.
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Old 01-22-2013, 06:01 PM
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What I use is scotts turf builder in may or june at the beginning season. And then in the mid season like July& August I would use superior phosphros free fertilizer. And finally use some weed B gone in your tank sprayer or in any chemical attachment if you get lucky aand get some rain whola you got a beautiful yard! Hey I used this stuff and my compettitor who lives next door my lawn was the greenest all season Ha HA HA!
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Old 01-22-2013, 06:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LawnCareMan280 View Post
What I use is scotts turf builder in may or june at the beginning season. And then in the mid season like July& August I would use superior phosphros free fertilizer. And finally use some weed B gone in your tank sprayer or in any chemical attachment if you get lucky aand get some rain whola you got a beautiful yard! Hey I used this stuff and my compettitor who lives next door my lawn was the greenest all season Ha HA HA!
I hope that was your lawn since its a $5000 fine to even advertise using.
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