DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
For the most part, there are three main ways to do lawn care: doing everything yourself, paying for a subscription company, or employing one of the full-service lawn care companies that operate in Moline. While tackling the project by yourself may seem like the least expensive option, it 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 simplify the process. Companies like this will send you a subscription package of lawn care chemicals and equipment. They decide what your lawn needs and when, depending on your location in Illinois and the time of year. However, you will still be the one doing the manual labor.
Prefer someone who will handle both the mental and physical tasks? Consider hiring a full-service company like TruGreen. While this will likely be the priciest option, companies like this can offer the most comprehensive services, and the pros will handle the hard work so you don't have to.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Moline, IL
Moline's lawn care companies offer a number of services, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control involves the use of both chemical and manual methods to remove weeds and other unwanted foliage, and a variety of processes to keep them from coming back. Essentially all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer these services.
- Fertilization: Fertilization facilitates growth of grasses and plants using the application of certain chemicals and compounds at various intervals throughout the year. Similar to weed control, most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide fertilization services.
- Aeration: Aeration services, which consist of making small perforations all over your lawn, are provided by many full-service lawn care companies. Aeration services help loosen the soil, allowing air, nutrients, and water to flow more easily. This increases the growth of roots and helps to strengthen your lawn.
- Seeding/Overseeding: The seeding process involves planting grass in places where your lawn is bare, while overseeding involves putting down new seed on existing grass. Both seeding and overseeding help fill in patchy or bare spots and improve the appearance and color of your lawn. Both services are offered by most full-service lawn companies and many subscription companies.
- Soil Care: Soil care helps improve your lawn growth by balancing the pH and chemistry of your soil to increase nutrient availability. Normally, most full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide this service.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging services are one way to quickly improve your lawn's appearance. Some full-service lawn care companies perform these services, or you can find a company specializing in them.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may often need snow removal services in Moline, and you might sometimes be in the market for leaf removal. No matter your situation, it is a good idea to know which companies near you offer these services. This can help you get everything taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
- Pest Control: When you pay a company for pest control, always make sure they are properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The technician will apply pesticides or use methods like traps to eliminate pests. Getting rid of pesky insects and animals keeps your lawn looking its best.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn care companies can help you with shrubs and trees that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need some extra love. These services will go a long way towards helping your property look its best.
No matter what your needs are, there is a Moline lawn care company that is able to meet them. It is in your best interest to get in touch with one or two of the companies from our above list to find just the right one for you.
Moline Quick Facts
- Moline receives more rain than about 39.4% of places in the U.S.
- Moline receives more sunlight than around 35.6% of the United States.
- Prefer more moderate weather? The average high in Moline is around 59° F.
- Moline's average low temperature is around 41° F.
- Normally, Moline receives about 31.3 inches of snow a year.
Choosing a Moline Lawn Care Company
When it comes time to select a lawn care services company, you want to make sure they are reliable. In order to apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, a lawn care professional needs to be licensed through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. If you are looking for landscaping services like edging and mowing, check to see if a company meets all of Illinois' landscaper licensing requirements. You can also learn whether a company is a member of an organization such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Lawn care professionals are not required to be members, but NALP lets landscaping professionals collaborate and share information on best practices. You can also read company reviews online and learn about their guarantees on their website. "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."
Next, you need to determine if the company provides the services you need. When hiring lawn care services in Moline, you may choose to go with one of the company's fixed plans or one of their "a la carte'' options where you can pick and choose services.
After you've chosen which companies offer what you need, you can ask them for a free inspection and estimate. Using GPS technology, some companies can estimate your property size and provide a quote over the phone. The total price will be based mainly on the specific services you need and the size of your lawn.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you're looking to hire a lawn care company in Moline, you may be wondering what you should expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Before Treatments: A full-service company will ask you to make sure that all pets are inside the day they come to your home. They will also ask you to make sure that they will be able to access your lawn, for example by making sure gates remain open. You do not need to do any lawn preparation (such as watering) in advance unless the company asks you to. If you've opted to go with a subscription company, make sure you provide any needed information and order in advance.
- During Treatments: When you sign up with a subscription company, you will perform the treatments yourself based on the instructions that the company provides. When you choose a full-service company like TruGreen, a technician will come to your home to take care of everything. In most cases you won't have to be home during treatments. However, the technician may prefer that you are home the first time they visit. They will communicate with you (electronically or in writing) what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: With any type of company you go with, lawn care services generally continue on a regular basis until you cancel them. After each service (whether you choose subscription or full-service), your company will tell you when it is safe for family and pets to be on the lawn again. They may also suggest that you water your lawn 24 hours after some treatments. It is important to remember that the effects of some treatments, like fertilization and weed control, will take some time to be noticeable. In the unlikely event that there is an issue following your lawn care treatment, the majority of companies back their products and services with a guarantee.
Choosing the best lawn care company in Moline will help you feel confident and well-informed when it comes to all of the work to be done. It is a good idea to contact one of the companies from our list of the best lawn care providers in Moline to find the right professional for your needs.
