DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
When you need to do lawn care, if you don't want to go it alone you can choose either a subscription company or one of Washington's full-service lawn care companies. If you go the DIY route, you might save money initially. However, you will not have expert advice and guidance that could help prevent expensive mistakes.
Some companies, such as Sunday Lawn Care, provide assistance to supplement your DIY lawn care. This is generally in the form of subscription packages which will deliver all the necessary chemicals and equipment for your lawn, depending on the time of year and your location in District of Columbia. These companies offer a good deal of guidance with lawn care, but you still have to do all the labor yourself.
Prefer to go with a company that will take care of both the mental and physical parts of the job? Consider hiring a full-service company like TruGreen. While this will likely be your most expensive option, companies like this can offer the most comprehensive range of services, and the pros will do all the hard work so you don't have to.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Washington, DC
There are a variety of different services that the lawn care companies around Washington can provide, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control services help remove and keep away weeds and other unwanted plants. These services can involve both manually pulling up unwanted foliage and applying chemicals that kill weeds and prevent more of them. The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies — if not all of them — offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: Essentially all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer fertilization services. These services use chemicals and other compounds to encourage the growth of grass and other plants in your yard.
- Aeration: The process of aeration involves making small perforations in your lawn's soil. This allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily. This, in turn, allows roots to grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. This service is provided by most full-service lawn care companies.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding services are offered by the majority of full-service lawn care companies and many subscription companies. Seeding services involve putting down seed in bare or patchy spots, while overseeding involves adding additional seed to thin spots. Both services help improve the look and color of your lawn.
- Soil Care: Soil care improves the growth of your lawn by balancing the pH and chemistry of your soil to increase nutrient availability. Most full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide this service.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may not need snow removal services very often in Washington, and you might sometimes be in the market for leaf removal. No matter your needs, it is a good idea to know which local companies offer these services. This can help you get everything taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Does your lawn have shrubs and trees that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need a little more love? Many full-service lawn care companies provide tree and shrub care services to help keep your lawn looking its best.
- Pest Control: When you are hiring for pest control, always ensure they are properly licensed to apply pesticides through the District of Columbia Department of Agriculture. The technician will apply pesticides or use traps or other methods to eliminate pests. Getting rid of pesky insects and animals keeps your lawn looking its best.
- Mowing/Edging: Some full-service lawn care companies offer mowing and edging, and there are even some companies that specialize in these types of services. Mowing and edging help prevent overgrowth, and they can quickly improve your lawn's look overall.
No matter what type of services you are looking to hire for, there is a Washington lawn care company for the job. We recommend looking into one or two of the companies on our list above to find which one is the best fit.
Washington Quick Facts
- Washington gets about 11.2 inches of snow every year.
- Washington receives more sunlight than around 60.6% of the U.S.
- The average high in Washington is approximately 63° F.
- Washington is part of the Mixed-Humid climate zone.
- In District of Columbia, the average lot size is around 3,500 square feet.
Choosing a Washington Lawn Care Company
When it comes to choosing a company, you first should verify that the one you're choosing is reliable. If a technician will be applying chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, they will need to be licensed through the District of Columbia Department of Agriculture. If they are going to be doing landscaping services, such as mowing or tree care, you can confirm that they meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for District of Columbia. Once you've verified that a company is licensed, you can look and see if they are a member of an organization such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), an optional association that lets its members collaborate and provides education about best practices in the industry. You can also read reviews online and explore the company's website to see what kind of guarantees they offer. "NALP members have access to industry-leading tools and training to keep you on the cutting edge."
Once you've decided on the best companies in your area, you'll need to figure out which ones can perform the specific combination of services you need. Many Washington lawn care companies offer both pre-set plans and "a la carte" options that give you the opportunity to make your own lawn care package.
Once you've figured out which companies might be right for you, you can see about getting a free inspection and estimate. Using GPS technology, some companies are able to estimate how big your lawn is and provide a quote over the phone. The total price will depend mainly on the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
Ready for a Quick & Easy Lawn Service Quote?
Homeowner Responsibilities
When you employ a lawn care company in Washington, there are certain things you can expect before, during, and after treatment. Some of those things are:
- Before Treatments: Full-service companies will ask you to bring all pets inside when they come to work on your lawn. They will also need you to make sure that they will be able to access your lawn, for example by opening any gates. You do not need to do any lawn preparation (such as watering) in advance unless your technician asks for it. If you're going to be using a subscription company, you will want to make sure you provide all necessary information and submit your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you end up choosing a subscription company, you will handle all treatments yourself based on the instructions provided by the company. If you've hired a full-service company like TruGreen, their technicians will come to your home to treat your lawn. Your company might ask you to be home the first time they come to your house. However, you generally do not need to be at home for lawn care treatment to take place. You'll be informed by the company (either in writing or electronically) what treatments were done and when.
- After and Between Treatments: With any type of company you choose, lawn care services will generally continue on a regular basis until you cancel them. After each treatment (whether done by you or a professional), your company should inform you when it is safe for family and pets to be on the lawn again. Your company may also recommend that you water your lawn 24 hours after some treatments. Keep in mind that the changes from some treatments, such as overseeding and weed control, will take some time to manifest. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your lawn care treatment, many companies have guarantees behind their products and services.
When you choose a provider from our list of the best lawn care companies in Washington, you know that you're in the hands of experts. Your Washington lawn care professional will make sure all expectations are clear and keep you in the loop throughout the process.
