DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
Generally, there are three ways to do lawn care: doing everything yourself, paying for a subscription company, or hiring one of the full-service lawn care companies that operate in Charlotte. If you elect to handle everything on your own, you might save money initially. However, you miss out on expert guidance and advice that might help avoid expensive mistakes.
Companies like Sunday Lawn Care exist to assist with DIY lawn care. They provide subscription packages of lawn care chemicals and equipment that are mailed to you as needed. The packages are assembled based on your location in North Carolina and the time of year. This takes the guesswork out of lawn care; however, you need to make time to do the application yourself.
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 pricier than other options, they manage every step of the way, from determining what is needed to doing the actual work.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Charlotte, NC
Lawn care companies around Charlotte offer many different kinds of services, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control involves both chemical application and manual labor to get rid of weeds and other unwanted plants, and a variety of processes to keep them from returning. Most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer this service.
- Fertilization: The process of fertilization involves the use of specific chemicals to help facilitate 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 is the process of loosening over-compacted soil, which allows roots to grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. Aeration involves making small holes in the soil to let water, air, and nutrients in more easily. Most full-service lawn companies provide aeration services.
- Soil Care: Soil care consists of balancing the pH and chemistry of your soil to increase the availability of nutrients and facilitate lawn growth. Many full-service and subscription lawn companies provide soil care services.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding services are both offered by the majority of full-service lawn care companies and many subscription companies. Seeding services involve putting seed down in bare spots. Overseeding involves laying down additional seed in thin spots. Both processes help improve the color and look of your lawn.
- Pest Control: Bugs or other pests damaging your lawn? Pest control involves the use of pesticides and other techniques to get rid of animals and insects that could harm your lawn. Many full-service lawn care companies offer pest control services. Always ensure that you use a pest control professional who is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
- Mowing/Edging: There are some full-service lawn care companies that offer mowing and edging, and some even specialize in these types of services. Mowing and edging help prevent overgrowth and can quickly improve the overall look of your lawn.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may rarely need snow removal services in Charlotte, and you might sometimes be in the market for leaf removal. No matter your situation, it is a smart idea to know which companies near you offer these services. This will help you get everything taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Does your property have shrubs and trees that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need some extra care? Many full-service lawn care companies offer tree and shrub care services to help your lawn look its best.
No matter your needs, there is a lawn care company in Charlotte that is able to meet them. We strongly suggest contacting one or more of the companies from our list above to find just the right one for you.
Charlotte Quick Facts
- Charlotte's average high temperature of 69° F is higher than 80.7% of the country.
- Charlotte gets more rain than about 62.2% of places in the country.
- Charlotte sits in the Mixed-Humid climate zone.
- Charlotte comes in around the 30% percentile in the country in terms of tree coverage.
- The average low temperature of 52° F in Charlotte is lower than only 17% of the country.
Choosing a Charlotte Lawn Care Company
When you need to choose a company, you ought to first make sure that you are choosing a reliable one. If a technician is going to apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, they will need to be licensed through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. If you're hiring a technician for landscaping services, such as mowing or tree care, you can look to see if they meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for North Carolina. Once you've verified that a company is licensed, you can see if they are a member of an organization like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). This is an optional association that lets its members collaborate and provides information about best practices in the industry. You can also look up online reviews and browse the company's website to find out exactly what guarantees they offer. "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."
After you've determined the best companies in your area, you'll need to determine which ones can provide the specific combination of services you think you'll need. Many lawn care companies in Charlotte offer both fixed plans and "a la carte" options that allow you to make your own service package.
Once you've figured out which companies you want to contact, you can reach out and ask for a free inspection and estimate. Using GPS technology, some companies can estimate your property size and provide a quote over the phone. The price you pay will depend mainly on the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you're planning to hire a Charlotte lawn care company, you might wonder what to expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Before Treatments: Full-service companies will ask you to keep any pets indoors the day they come to your home. They will also want you to make sure that your lawn is accessible, for example by making sure gates remain open. You do not need to prepare your lawn — for example, by watering it — 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 all necessary information and that you order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you end up choosing a subscription company, you will handle all treatments yourself based on the provided instructions. If you're using a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your home to treat your lawn. Your company might ask that you be home the first time they visit. However, you generally do not need to be home for lawn care treatment. You'll be informed by the company (either electronically or in writing) what treatments were done and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company might instruct you to water your lawn 24 hours following some treatments. They will also tell you when it will be safe for family and pets to be on the lawn again. Keep in mind that the effects of certain treatments, such as fertilization and weed control, may not be visible for some time. If something goes wrong with your lawn care treatment, many full-service and subscription companies have guarantees to back their products and services. Whichever type of company you decide to use, services will likely continue on a regular basis unless you cancel.
Choosing a trustworthy Charlotte lawn care company will make you feel much more confident and in-the-know about the process. All of the providers from our list of the best lawn care companies in Charlotte can explain all steps of the process and make sure that you know exactly what to expect.
