My name is Dave Schwarm, the Customer Service Manager at Green Meadow Lawn Care in Ellington, CT. I have worked in the green industry since 1989 and have worked for 6 different companies in this time and have seen their varied pricing structures first-hand.
What Factors Drive Prices Up and Down in the Lawn Service Industry?
It’s important to understand that your annual investment in lawn care is influenced by a variety of different factors that can have a large impact on both your cost and the results you receive.
These factors can include: quality of product, size of lawn, experienced and certified lawn service technicians and what is/isn't included in a program.
Why are some lawn care products cheaper than others?
All materials are not created equal. Fertilizer additives such as Bio-Stimulants, Humic Acid, micro-nutrients, and organics can increase a company’s product cost by up to 50%.
Special weed controls for Nutsedge, Ground Ivy, Violets and other difficult-to-control weeds can increase product cost by as much as 100% for a service provider.
Pro tip: Check your itemized estimate - sometimes you will even see companies charge separately for these treatments.
Does who your lawn specialist is have an impact on your lawn?
One of the most common complaints I have heard over my years from customers is, “Each time I had a service, someone different came.”
The relationship between the Lawn Care Specialist and the customer plays a key role in customer satisfaction and your lawn's health. An experienced specialist that builds history and trust with you will be the gift that keeps on giving.
Each lawn is different. Your specialist will get to know its patterns, where water gathers, what areas are disease-prone and will be able to stop any problems right in their tracks. Having the same specialist for each treatment can be beneficial to you.
What’s Included or Excluded in a Lawn Care Program?
This is were many companies vary - be sure to pay attention and do your math here.
What to look out for:
- Hidden costs
- Grub Control (for example) is included but the price of fertilizer is increased to offset this "deal"
- Surface Insect Control as a separate charge.
- Nutsedge treatment as a separate charge.
How Does Lawn Size Affect the Cost of Lawn Care?
It is standard practice for lawn size to be assessed and be a driving force in cost. What is not standard and can vary from each provider is HOW your lawn care company measures your square footage.
Accuracy is key to fair pricing. Not only can a lack of measuring-accuracy lead to unfair pricing, it can also lead to mistreatment of your lawn.
How is this possible? Some companies might under measure a lawn for a number of reasons. If a lawn is under measured, it might appear to be more of a "bargain". What are you really getting though? If this happens and your lawn is under measured, it will also be under serviced - it will not receive the proper amount of products and nutrients it needs.
How was your lawn measured? With paces? A measuring wheel? An online measuring app? Be an informed customer and know how your lawn care company takes care of the assessments that directly impact how much of your hard earned money you are spending.
The most accurate way to measure a lawn that I have found, is on-site with an online measuring tool.
When a lawn is measured via an office or remotely via satellite, it's possible that areas of your lawn will be missed.
Example: Satellite image shows a tree, lawn care company does not count the area under the tree in your measurement. The reality is that there might be grass under that tree that still needs to be treated but was not accounted for.
Green Meadow’s Pricing Philosophy
We like to think that you can find us in the middle of the road...or middle of the meadow? Our pricing represents the high standards and reputation we have built over 13 years.
Green Meadow employees have extensive field training and classroom time to ensure that you will have a knowledgeable and helpful specialist to work with you and your lawn.
Our pricing is fair and firm. We will not compromise on pricing because we refuse to compromise on quality. Your positive results and satisfaction are what matters most to us.
What will it cost you to do business with Green Meadow?
- Minimum Price - Our 5-Step Premium Fertilization Program minimum price is $66 per treatment. Our Grub Control minimum price is $76. This will treat up to 8,000 square feet. The annual cost is $406.
- Discounts – We offer 5% off for prepayments. We offer an additional 5% off to all Veterans. Thank you for your service!
- 3X Core Aeration and Seeding with Starter Fertilizer - These prices are set very reasonably because we want to encourage you to upgrade your lawn. We realize that whenever you give us the opportunity to do additional work on your property, it's another chance for us to improve your results and earn more of your trust. Our minimum price for 3X Core Aeration and Seeding with Starter Fertilizer is $490 and includes up to 8,000 square feet of property.
Bottom Line: It all comes down to who you trust. Do your research. Check reviews.
If this article was useful to you, read some others similar to it:
- Local Lawn Care vs Franchise Lawn Care
- 8 Things to Know Before Hiring a Lawn Care Company
- 5 Hidden Costs in Lawn Care
Since 2007, Green Meadow Lawn Care has provided homeowners throughout the greater Tolland, Connecticut area with premium fertilization programs, tick control, mosquito management, seeding & aeration and tree & shrub care.
Visit our Learning Center to find out more about how our services can help you or visit our Youtube Channel to view more in our Learning Center Series.
To speak to our Customer Service Manager, please call Dave (view Dave's video bio here) with any questions. Dave has been in the industry for 30 years and is always happy to help with his expert advice.
860-870-5700