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 Peoria. If you decide to do everything yourself, you may save some money up front. However, you will not have expert advice and guidance that can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Some companies, such as Sunday Lawn Care, provide assistance to supplement your DIY lawn care. Generally this is in the form of subscription packages which will deliver all the chemicals and equipment you need for your lawn, based on the time of year and your location in Illinois. These companies offer a lot of guidance with lawn care, but you still have to do all the labor yourself.
Would you prefer to have someone else taking care of everything? A full-service company like TruGreen might be the best fit for you. A full-service lawn care company might be the highest-cost option, but these companies handle not only the decision-making but also the manual labor.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Peoria, IL
There are a number of different services that the lawn care companies around Peoria can provide, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control services help remove and keep away weeds and other troublesome plants. Weed control services involve processes like manually pulling unwanted greenery and spraying chemicals that kill and prevent weeds. The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies — if not all of them — offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: Fertilization involves the use of various chemicals and compounds to help facilitate the growth of grass and other plants. Like weed control, fertilization is offered by most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding are both offered by most full-service lawn care companies and by many subscription companies. The seeding process involves putting down seed in patchy or bare spots. On the other hand, overseeding involves adding additional seed to thin spots. Both services help improve the color and appearance of your lawn.
- Soil Care: Soil care consists of balancing the pH and chemistry of your lawn to increase the availability of nutrients and facilitate lawn growth. The majority of full-service and subscription lawn companies provide soil care services.
- Aeration: Aeration services, which consist of making small perforations all over your lawn, are provided by the majority of full-service lawn care companies. Aeration helps loosen the soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to flow easier. This improves root growth and helps to strengthen your lawn.
- 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. The technician will apply pesticides or use methods like traps to get rid of pests. Getting rid of pesky animals and insects can go a long way towards helping your lawn look its best.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn care companies are able to take care of trees and shrubs that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need some TLC. This service can result in large improvements in your lawn's appearance.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging improve the appearance of your lawn, and they help prevent overgrowth. You can find full-service lawn care companies that offer these services, and there are companies that specialize in mowing and edging.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may only occasionally need snow removal services in Peoria, and you might sometimes be in the market for leaf removal. No matter what, it is a smart idea to know which local companies offer these services. This can help you get everything taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
For any need, there is a Peoria lawn care company that can fill it. It is a smart idea to get in touch with at least one of the companies from our list above to feel confident that you have the right one for you.
Peoria Quick Facts
- The average lot size in Illinois is around 11,000 square feet.
- Peoria gets more sunlight than around 41.9% of the U.S.
- In a typical year, Peoria gets about 23.6 inches of snow.
- The average high in Peoria is around 60° F.
- Peoria sits in the Cold climate zone.
Choosing a Peoria Lawn Care Company
When it is time for you to choose a company, you should first verify that you're choosing a reputable one. If a technician will be applying chemicals like pesticides at any point, they will need to be licensed through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. If you're hiring a technician for landscaping services, such as mowing or edging, you can check if they meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for Illinois. Once you've confirmed a company's licensure, you can see if they belong to an organization such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). This is an optional association that helps members collaborate and provides education about industry best practices. You can also look up reviews online and check the company's website to learn about the guarantees that they offer. "[Our mission is to] advocate for lawn and landscape industry growth and the benefits we provide to our communities."
Next, you'll need to figure out which companies offer the specific services you need. Many lawn care service companies in Peoria have both fixed plans and "a la carte" options, which allow you to pick and choose only the services that you need.
After you've chosen which companies you want to contact, you can obtain a free inspection and estimate. With GPS technology, some companies can estimate how big your lawn is and give you a quote over the phone. The total price will be based mainly on the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
There are a number of things a homeowner in Peoria should keep in mind before, during, and after lawn care services. Some of those things are:
- Before Treatments: Any full-service company that you choose will ask you to be sure your lawn is accessible on the day of treatment. For example, you will need to make sure all gates remain open. They will also ask that you keep your pets indoors. If they want you to water or do any other work on your lawn in advance, they will ask you to do so. If you want to use a subscription company, make sure you provide your information and place your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you are purchasing from a subscription company, you will be expected to treat your lawn yourself, following the instructions provided by the company. If you've opted for a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your house to perform treatments. Normally, you don't need to be home for lawn care treatment. However, your technician might request you to be home for their first visit. Your technicians will communicate with you (electronically or in writing) to let you know what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company will inform you when people and pets can safely be on the lawn after treatment. They may also ask you to water your lawn 24 hours after some services. It is important to remember that it may take some time to see the effects of treatments like fertilization and overseeding. In the unlikely event that there is a problem or your results are lackluster, many full-service and subscription companies have guarantees to back up their treatments and products. Generally, both full-service and subscription lawn care services will continue on a regular basis unless you cancel.
If you hire a capable Peoria lawn care services company, they will help you understand expectations and ensure that the process goes smoothly. Choosing a company from our list of the best lawn care providers in Peoria can help ensure that everything is taken care of the right way.
