Often this time of year we here at Weed Pro field many calls from price shoppers looking to compare the costs of our lawn care program with the prices of one of our competitors. Everytime we field one of these calls, the caller usually says, "Brand X is charging me $X an application... Can you beat that price?"  If your one of these people that focus on price per application because that's how your current service was sold to you, you may be surprised by what THEY'RE NOT SELLING YOU. 

Yes a Sale is Always Good, as Long As The Products are Good Too!

Sometimes while out shopping with my wife at her favorite clothing store I jokingly say to my wife, "a sale justifies every purchase, right?"  Well, all jokes aside, that's describes a majority of lawn care companies spring sales pitch.  "We have a GREAT DEAL for you, we'll only charge you $29.99 for your FIRST application!"  Sounds good in theory, right?  But what are you getting in that first application that they have marked down?  Is it the same amount of fertilizer, crabgrass preventer, and weed control as the company who is charging you $40 for your application?  

It's like comparing computers on pricing alone.  One may be a couple hundred dollars more, but have double the memory & a 5 year warranty compared to a 1 year warranty.  Knowing that info, the benefits of the more expensive computer far outweighs the less expensive one.

How To Find Out What's In Each Application

Seems simple enough, right?  Well, let's just say that some companies are just a bit less forthcoming than the others.  Why do you ask?  Well it's because the person you talk just doesn't know.  If you're talking to one of the national chains, you'll be speaking to a call center representative that is trained to sell, not educate.  Second, a lot of those national chains have different products based on different areas of the country and how much they can buy the product for.

Weed Pro is a company based out of Cleveland and Columbus.  The products we choose are what's best for Ohio lawns.  Plus, all of our Customer Service people work out of the same offices as our technicians.  Our techs have their desks right next to them, and are updated frequently on lawn conditions and other aspects of your lawn.  With Weed Pro, you can find out what each application contains, as well as what you can expect from those treatments.  You wouldn't take a pill without knowing what it could do first, would you? 

So What Do I Really Need in a Lawn Care Program?

Every lawn care program is different.  However, if signing up for a lawn care program in the early spring, you should have a program that is built similar to one of the packages located on our website HERE.  Crabgrass Preventer, Grub Control, and Insect Control is a must for Ohio lawns due to the hot and humid summers we have.  Additionally, weeds grow fiercely around here, so weed control is a MUST on EVERY APPLICATION. 

How To Protect Yourself From Being Ripped-Off

The best way to protect yourself when shopping lawn care companies is to make a list of what you're getting for each application.  List the applications out, what treatments are in them, and also what you're paying for each application.  Then at the bottom add other benefits that could help sway your decision.  Is the company and YOUR TECHNICIAN (if they'll give you a name of one, because for most companies it varies) licensed to apply lawn care products?  Are they insured? Are they local?  Do they provide free weed spot sprays? Then total everything up and make an educated decision on what each company is providing you.  

Surprisingly, when you compare companies this way, you may find that by paying a little more, you'll get a WHOLE LOT more!

What YOU Need to Look for in a Lawn Care Company!

Given all of the information in this article, picking a lawn care company to take care of your lawn isn't as easy as shopping prices.  However, it doesn't have to be hard either!  That's why Weed Pro has put together the ultimate Lawn Care Hiring Guide to help you with the process!  This guide will spell out exactly what you need to be looking for when searching for that perfect lawn care company in Cleveland or Columbus!  The best part is that you can DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE by clicking on the link below!  

Shaun Kanary has been a part of the Green Industry for the past 15 years. As the Director of Marketing for Weed Pro Lawn Care, a Cleveland and Columbus Lawn Care Service Provider, Shaun is a regular contributor to the Weed Pro Blog, and other industry magazine and blogs.  Shaun on Google+     Shaun on LinkedIn     Shaun on Twitter