The Landscape Trailer Train - Determining the Right Company for Your Job

As the weather got warmer, you undoubtedly noticed more trucks on the road hauling lawn mowers and equipment. Now that we are in full lawn care and landscaping season, the roads are jammed packed with companies of every shape and size vying for your business.

If you are in the market for a landscape or lawn maintenance company, the shear number of companies out there can be mind numbing and leave you no better off than when you first started your vendor search. So where do you go for help and how do you choose the right company for you? Let's start with the first question - where should you be looking to find the right company?

Let your fingers do the walking. If you are like most people, you have noticed numerous business names plastered on the sides of trucks and trailers. You may have even noticed business lawn signs while getting on and off the highway or perhaps you have seen a flyer posted at a local business. These various forms of signage all have at least one thing in common - a phone number. So your first step should be to pick up the phone and speak directly to a few vendors.

For those that are computer savvy, take your fingers for a walk on the information highway and do a bit of research on the Internet. Most companies these days have a Web site with additional information on their services or an e-mail address that you can use to inquire about services rendered.

Here are a few questions that should come to mind in your research:

• Is the vendor state licensed and insured?
• If you are located within city limits - is the vendor licensed with the city?
• What services is the vendor able to provide - are they strictly lawn maintenance professionals or can they implement landscapes?
• Is the vendor licensed to work with chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers?
• Does the vendor have references that you can call or lawns that you can drive by for a visual reference?
• When can the vendor visit your property for an estimate?

The last question above is very important. If your vendor indicates that they can give you an estimate on the maintenance of your property without first walking through the property with you, look somewhere else. Every lawn and landscape is different and there is no way to accurately quote a job without first analyzing the property to see what work does/does not need to be done.

While the vendor is visiting your property, be sure to ask if they continue to mow your property in the sweltering heat. Mowing an already heat stressed lawn can cause serious sun scorch and leave you with an unsightly brown carpet of grass.

For more information on selecting the proper lawn/landscape maintenance vendor, visit the links below:
LCAP
Better Business Bureau
Lawn Care & Tools