DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
For the most part, there are three main ways to do lawn care: doing it completely on your own, going with a subscription company, or employing one of the full-service lawn care companies in Hampton. If you elect to handle everything on your own, you may save some money up front. However, you'll give up the expert guidance and advice that can help you prevent expensive mistakes.
If you want to have at least some guidance when it comes to lawn care, you might try a company like Sunday Lawn Care. They will send you subscription packages of lawn chemicals and tools, which are shipped to you regularly based on the time of year and where you live in Virginia. The company takes care of the research and planning for you, although you will still be the one pulling weeds.
Prefer to go with a company that will manage both the mental and physical parts of the job? Consider hiring a full-service company like TruGreen. While this will likely be your most expensive option, companies like this can offer the most comprehensive range of services, and the pros will handle the hard work so you don't have to.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Hampton, VA
There are a variety of different services that Hampton's lawn care companies can provide, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control is the process of removing and preventing weeds and other bothersome plants. These types of services involve processes like manually pulling up unwanted plants and spraying chemicals to kill weeds and prevent more of them. Both full-service and subscription lawn care companies essentially always offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: Fertilization helps promote growth of grasses and plants via the application of certain chemicals and compounds at the right times throughout the year. As with weed control, the majority of — if not all — full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide fertilization services.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding are both offered by most full-service lawn care companies and many subscription companies. Seeding involves putting seed down in patchy spots. On the other hand, overseeding involves laying down additional seed in thin spots. Both services help improve the color and look of your lawn.
- Aeration: The aeration process involves making small perforations in the soil. This allows air, nutrients, and water to more easily move through the soil. This, in turn, allows roots to grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. These services are provided by the majority of full-service lawn care companies.
- Soil Care: Most full-service and subscription lawn care providers provide soil care services. Soil care services involve balancing your soil's pH and chemistry to promote lawn growth by increasing the availability of nutrients.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging services are one way to quickly improve the look of your lawn. Certain full-service lawn care companies can provide these services, or you could find a company specializing in mowing and edging.
- Pest Control: Many full-service lawn care companies can also help eliminate insects or other pests that are damaging your lawn. They might trap animals or apply pesticides. Always make sure that your lawn control technician is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Virginia Department of Agriculture.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: Are you concerned about leaves or snow sitting on your lawn and killing the grass? You can find a lawn care company that will come out and clear everything away. You may rarely need snow removal services and occasionally require leaf removal services in Hampton. If and when you do require these services, be sure to talk to a company to confirm that it is something that they can do.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn care companies are able to take care of shrubs and trees that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need some TLC. This extra care can result in large improvements in your lawn's appearance.
For any kind of need, there is a lawn care company in Hampton that can fill it. It is in your best interest to get in touch with at least one of the companies from our above list to ensure that you find the right one for you.
Hampton Quick Facts
- The average lot size in Virginia is approximately 10,000 square feet.
- Hampton receives more sunlight than about 79.5% of the country.
- On average, Hampton gets around 3.8 inches of snow a year.
- Prefer more moderate weather? The average high in Hampton is about 64° F.
- Hampton sits in the Mixed-Humid climate zone.
Choosing a Hampton Lawn Care Company
When it comes time to select a lawn care services company, you will want to verify they are reliable. Before they apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, a lawn care professional needs to be licensed through the Virginia Department of Agriculture. If you require landscaping services like mowing and edging, you can look and see if a company meets all of Virginia's landscaper licensing requirements. You can also check whether a company belongs to an organization like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Membership is not mandatory, but NALP allows landscaping professionals to collaborate and share information about best practices. Last but not least, you can read company reviews online and learn about their guarantees on their website. "NALP members have access to industry-leading tools and training to keep you on the cutting edge."
Once you've discovered the best companies in your area, you'll need to figure out which ones can provide the specific combination of services that you want. Many Hampton lawn care companies offer both fixed plans and "a la carte" options that allow you to make your own lawn care package.
Once you've figured out which companies might be right for you, you can reach out and ask for 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 cost will be based mainly on the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
Ready for a Quick & Easy Lawn Service Quote?
Homeowner Responsibilities
If you've never hired a lawn care company in Hampton before (or even if you have) you might be curious about what you ought to expect. The following are some things to keep in mind:
- Before Treatments: If you are using a full-service company, make sure that, on the day they visit, they can access your property (for example, by opening gates). You will want to also make sure that you keep any pets inside. You do not need to water or otherwise otherwise prepare your lawn in advance unless told to do so by your technician. If you've selected a subscription company, you will want to ensure that you've provided all your information and put in your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you're using a subscription company, you will perform treatments yourself based on the instructions provided by the company. If you've hired a full-service company like TruGreen, their technicians will come to your home to do any requested lawn care. Your company might ask that you be home the first time they visit. However, you generally do not need to be present for your lawn care technician to do treatments. You'll be informed by the company (either in writing or electronically) what services they performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: With any type of company you may use, lawn care services normally continue on a regular basis unless you cancel them. After each treatment (whether done by you or a professional), your company should inform 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 keep in mind that the changes from some treatments, like overseeding and weed control, will take some time to be noticeable. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your lawn care treatment, most companies back their products and services with a guarantee.
When you choose a provider from our list of Hampton's best lawn care companies, you know that you're in good hands. Your Hampton lawn care professional will make sure all expectations are clear and keep you well-informed throughout the process.
