DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
Generally, there are three ways to do lawn care: doing it completely on your own, using a subscription company, or employing one of Las Vegas' full-service lawn care companies. If you opt to do everything yourself, you may initially save some money. However, you will not have expert guidance and advice that might help you prevent expensive mistakes.
Companies like Sunday Lawn Care exist to provide assistance with DIY lawn care. These companies offer subscription packages of lawn care chemicals and equipment that they send to you as needed. These packages are designed based on your location in Nevada and the time of year. This takes some of the guesswork out of lawn care; however, you'll still need to do the labor yourself.
If you'd rather have a company handle all parts of the process, hiring a full-service company like TruGreen is the way to go. While they may be more costly than other options, they handle the whole process, from determining what your lawn needs to doing the actual work.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Las Vegas, NV
Your local Las Vegas lawn care companies can perform many different types of services, such as:
- Weed Control: Weed control is the process of removing and preventing weeds and other bothersome plants. These types of services involve both manually pulling unwanted plants and using chemicals that kill and keep away weeds. The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies — if not all of them — offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: The process of fertilization involves using chemicals and other compounds to promote the growth of grass and other plants. Similar to weed control, fertilization is offered by most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies.
- Aeration: Aeration services, which consist of creating small holes all over your lawn, are provided by many full-service lawn care companies. Aeration helps loosen the soil, allowing nutrients, water, and air to flow more easily. This increases the growth of roots and helps to strengthen your lawn.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding services involve planting grass in bare patches on your lawn. Overseeding, on the other hand, involves placing new seed over patches of existing grass. Both processes help fill in patchy or bare spots and improve the color and look of your lawn. Both processes are offered by most full-service lawn companies, and by many subscription companies.
- Soil Care: Soil care helps improve your lawn growth by balancing the pH and chemistry of the soil to increase nutrient availability. The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies can provide this service.
- Pest Control: When you are hiring for pest control, always verify they are properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Nevada 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 keeps your lawn looking its best.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging services are one way to quickly improve the look of your lawn. Many full-service lawn care companies can provide these services, or you might find a company specializing in them.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: Your lawn can sustain damage as a result of debris sitting on it. Knowing which local companies provide removal services can be a big help should you ever need them in the future.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Does your property have trees and shrubs that are overgrowing, wilting, or simply need some extra care? Many full-service lawn care companies provide tree and shrub care services to help keep your lawn looking its best.
No matter your needs, there is a lawn care company in Las Vegas that is able to meet them. We strongly suggest contacting one or more of the companies on our above list to find the perfect one for you.
Las Vegas Quick Facts
- On average, lot sizes in Nevada are approximately 7,300 square feet.
- Las Vegas sits at the 0.4% percentile when it comes to average precipitation — in case you're looking to avoid the rain.
- Dislike cold weather? Las Vegas' average low is around 56° F.
- Las Vegas is part of the Hot-Dry climate zone.
- Las Vegas receives more sunlight than about 96.8% of the country.
Choosing a Las Vegas Lawn Care Company
It is probably important to you to choose a lawn care services company that you can trust. If the technician is going to apply chemicals like pesticides around your property, they must be licensed through the Nevada Department of Agriculture. If you need them to perform landscaping services (such as tree and shrub care), they will need to meet all of Nevada's 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 look at a company's website to see what kind of guarantees they offer, and read online reviews. "As a professional, you're never done learning and growing your skills. Our educational partnerships can help you continue to refine your abilities."
After you've found the best companies in your area, you'll need to determine which ones can perform the specific combination of services you want. Many Las Vegas 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.
The next step is to get an inspection and quote. Even before they see your property, some companies can give you an estimate with the help of GPS technology. This estimate will be determined by the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
If you haven't worked with a Las Vegas lawn care company before (or even if you have) you may have some questions about 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 on the day of treatment. They will also want you to make sure that they will be able to access your lawn, for example by keeping gates open. You won't need to water or do other preparation on your lawn in advance unless you are asked to do so. If you've opted to go with a subscription company, you will want to make sure you provide your information and submit your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you go with a subscription company, you will do all of the lawn treatment using the instructions provided. If you are using a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your home to do treatments. You usually will not need to be home during services. However, some companies may ask you to be home the first time they come to work. The company will tell you, either electronically or in writing, what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company may instruct you to water your lawn 24 hours after some treatments. They will also tell you when family and pets can safely be on the lawn again. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of some treatments, such as weed control and fertilization, may not manifest immediately. If there is a problem with your lawn care treatment, most full-service and subscription companies have guarantees to back their products and services. No matter what type of company you use, in most cases services will continue on a regular basis until you cancel.
By choosing a provider from our list of Las Vegas' best lawn care companies, you know that you're in the hands of experts. Your Las Vegas lawn care technician can outline all expectations and keep you in the loop throughout the process.
