DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
When you need to do lawn care, if you don't want to do everything yourself you can choose either a subscription company or one of the full-service lawn care companies operating in Hampton. While tackling the project by yourself may seem like the least expensive option, doing so leaves the possibility of expensive mistakes open. You also will have to take care of your lawn without the expert guidance of a lawn care professional.
A company like Sunday Lawn Care can help take the guesswork out of the process. Companies like this will send you a subscription package of lawn care equipment and chemicals. They decide what your lawn needs and when, depending on the season and where you live in Illinois. However, you still need to handle the manual labor.
If you would like to have a company manage the whole process, hiring a full-service company like TruGreen is your best bet. While they may be more expensive than other options, they manage every step of the way, from determining what you need to doing the actual work.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Hampton, IL
Hampton's lawn care companies offer many different kinds of services, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control involves either the chemical or manual removal of weeds and other unwanted plants, and the use of techniques to keep them from returning. This service is offered by most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies.
- Fertilization: Fertilization involves using chemicals and other compounds to help promote the growth of grass and other plants. Similar to weed control, most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer fertilization services.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding improve the appearance and color of your lawn and help fill in bare spots. Seeding is the process of planting grass in an area where there is none. On the other hand, overseeding involves planting more seed over existing grass, without tearing up any turf. Seeding and overseeding are offered by the majority of full-service lawn companies and many subscription companies.
- Soil Care: The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide soil care services. Soil care involves balancing the pH and chemistry of your soil to promote lawn growth by increasing the availability of nutrients.
- Aeration: The process of aeration involves making small holes in your soil. This allows air, water, and nutrients to more easily move through the soil. This, in turn, helps roots grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. Aeration is offered by the majority of full-service lawn care companies.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: Your lawn can sustain damage as a result of leaves and snow piling up on it. Knowing which companies provide removal services can be a big help if you ever require them in the future.
- Pest Control: When you employ someone for pest control services, always verify they are properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Your technician will apply pesticides or use methods like traps to get rid of pests. Getting rid of pesky insects and animals ensures that your lawn looks its best.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging help improve the look of your lawn and help prevent overgrowth. Some full-service lawn care companies offer these services, and there are also many companies that specialize in mowing and edging.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn care companies can help you with trees and shrubs that are overgrowing, wilting, or simply need some TLC. This service can result in large improvements in your lawn's appearance.
There is a lawn care company for every need and budget in Hampton. It is recommended that you contact one or two of the ones on our above list to determine the one that will be best for you.
Hampton Quick Facts
- Hampton gets around 31.3 inches of snow annually.
- In Illinois, the average lot size is approximately 41,000 square feet.
- Hampton sits in the Cold climate zone.
- Hampton gets a good mix of clouds and sun. It comes in around the 35.6% percentile when it comes to average daily sunlight.
- The average high in Hampton is about 59° F.
Choosing a Hampton Lawn Care Company
You want to choose a lawn care services company that you can trust. A technician who is going to apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn will need to be licensed through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. If they are going to be performing landscaping services (such as edging), they'll need to meet all of Illinois' landscaper licensing requirements. A company may also be a member of an organization like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Lawn care companies are not required to be members of NALP, but the association allows companies to collaborate and share information on best practices. Finally, you can explore a company's website to see what kind of guarantees they offer, and read online reviews. "For more than two decades, the NALP Foundation...has supported education, research, and scholarships to strengthen the future of the landscape and lawn care industry."
The next step is to figure out which companies offer the specific services that you need. Many Hampton lawn care service companies can offer you both fixed plans and "a la carte" options, which allow you to pick and choose exactly which services you need.
After narrowing down your list even more, you can begin asking companies about getting a free inspection and service quote. You often won't need to wait long for an inspection — some companies are even able to estimate the size of your yard using GPS technology before they visit your home. They can then give you an estimate based on the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you work with a Hampton lawn care company, there are things you can expect before, during, and after treatments. Some of these are:
- Before Treatments: Full-service companies will ask you to keep any pets indoors when they come to work on your lawn. They will also ask you to make sure that your lawn is accessible, for example by keeping gates open. You will not need to water or do other preparation on your lawn in advance unless your technician asks for it. If you've opted to go with a subscription company, make sure you provide all of your information and order in advance.
- During Treatments: When you choose a subscription company, you will carry out lawn care treatments based on the instructions provided by the company. If you go with a full-service company like TruGreen instead, a lawn care professional will come to your house to perform the treatment. Normally you will not need to be home for treatments. However, your company may ask you to be home the first time they come out. Your technicians will communicate with you (in writing or electronically) what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: It is important to remember that it might take weeks to see the effects of treatments such as weed control and overseeding. In the meantime, your lawn care technician may suggest watering your lawn 24 hours after certain services. They will also let you know when it will be safe for your family and any pets to be on the lawn. In the unlikely event that there is a problem with your lawn care, many subscription and full-service companies have a guarantee to back their products and services. In most cases, lawn care services of any type will continue regularly if you do not cancel.
Picking a reliable Hampton lawn care company will make you feel much more confident and knowledgeable about the process. Any provider you choose from our list of the best lawn care companies in Hampton can explain all steps of the process and help you know exactly what to expect.
