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, using a subscription company, or hiring one of the full-service lawn care companies in Norfolk. While tackling the project by yourself may seem like the least expensive option, doing so leaves you open to expensive mistakes. You also will not have the expert guidance of a lawn care professional to help you.
Companies like Sunday Lawn Care are designed to provide assistance with DIY lawn care. Companies like this provide subscription packages of lawn care equipment and chemicals that are sent to you as needed. The packages are put together based on the time of year and your location in Virginia. This model takes the guesswork out of lawn care; however, you still have to apply everything yourself.
If you would rather be completely hands-off, a full-service company like TruGreen will be the best avenue for you. This option might be the most expensive, but there is a good reason for this: they not only provide custom solutions to all your lawn care headaches, but they take care of all the work.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Norfolk, VA
There are a variety of services that you might use a Norfolk lawn care company for, such as:
- Weed Control: Weed control services help remove and keep away weeds and other bothersome plants. These services can involve processes like manually pulling unwanted greenery and using 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 helps facilitate growth of plants and grasses using the application of certain compounds and chemicals at the right times throughout the year. Similar to weed control, most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide fertilization services.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding help improve the appearance and color of your lawn and help fill in bare spots. Seeding is the process of planting grass in areas where there is none. On the other hand, overseeding involves planting more seed in an area of existing grass, without tearing up any turf. These processes are offered by most full-service lawn companies and many subscription companies.
- Aeration: The process of aeration involves making small holes in the soil. This allows water, nutrients, and air to move through the soil more easily. This, in turn, lets roots grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. This service is provided by the majority of full-service lawn care companies.
- Soil Care: The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer soil care services. These services involve balancing the chemistry and pH of your soil to facilitate lawn growth by increasing nutrient availability.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging are two ways to quickly improve your lawn's overall look. Certain full-service lawn care companies offer these services, or you might find a company specializing in mowing and edging.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may rarely need snow removal services in Norfolk, 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 can help you get everything taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
- Pest Control: Many full-service lawn care companies will also eliminate insects or other pests that could damage your lawn. They might apply pesticides or trap animals — always confirm that your technician is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Virginia Department of Agriculture.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Does your property have shrubs and trees that are overgrowing, wilting, or simply need a little TLC? Many full-service lawn care companies provide tree and shrub care services to help your lawn look its best.
There is a lawn care company in Norfolk for every need and budget. It is recommended that you contact one or two of the ones on the list above to determine which one works best for you.
Norfolk Quick Facts
- Generally, Norfolk sees around 3.8 inches of snow annually.
- Norfolk's average high of 64° F is higher than 65.6% of the U.S.
- Prefer sunnier days? Norfolk gets more sunlight than 79.6% of the country.
- Regarding precipitation, Norfolk gets more, on average, than 68.1% of the U.S.
- Dislike cold weather? Norfolk's average low is around 52° F.
Choosing a Norfolk Lawn Care Company
When you are choosing a company, you first should verify that you are choosing a reliable one. If a technician is going to apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, they'll have to be licensed through the Virginia Department of Agriculture. If your technician will be performing landscaping services, such as mowing or edging, you can verify that they meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for Virginia. Once you've verified that a company is licensed, you can see if they belong to an organization like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), an optional association that allows members to collaborate and provides information about best practices in the industry. You can also read online reviews and browse the company's website to find out exactly what guarantees they offer. "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 determine which ones can provide the specific combination of services that you think you'll need. Many lawn care companies in Norfolk offer both fixed plans and "a la carte" options that allow you to make your own lawn care package.
Once you've chosen a company or two, you'll want to contact them to get an inspection and quote. By using GPS technology, some companies are even able to make an estimate based on how big your yard is before ever stepping foot on your property. Your estimate will rely 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 Norfolk before (or even if you have) you might wonder what you ought to expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Before Treatments: A full-service company will ask you to keep any pets indoors when they come to work on your lawn. They will also ask you to make sure that your lawn is easily accessible, for example by opening any gates. You do not need to water or otherwise prepare your lawn in advance unless you are asked to do so. If you've opted to go with a subscription company, ensure that you provide all necessary information and order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you are using a subscription company, you'll do the treatments yourself using the company-provided instructions. If you've elected to hire a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your home to perform treatments. Normally, you won't have to be present for lawn care treatment. However, your lawn care professional may require you to be home for their first visit. They will communicate with you (in writing or electronically) about what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: It is important to remember that it may take some time to see the effects of treatments such as weed control and fertilization. In the meantime, your lawn care professionals might recommend watering your lawn 24 hours after certain treatments. They will also inform you when it is safe for pets and family to be on your lawn. In the rare instance that there is an unexpected problem with your lawn care, many subscription and full-service companies have guarantees backing their products and services. As a general rule, most lawn care services will continue regularly until you cancel.
Picking the best lawn care company in Norfolk can help you be confident and well-informed when it comes to all of the work being done on your lawn. We recommend reaching out to one of the companies from our list of the best lawn care providers in Norfolk to discover which one is best for you.
