04/24/2007
Spring has arrived and your thoughts turn to the beautiful outdoors. As a homeowner, you take pride in how your lawn looks during the warmer months. There are a number of factors to consider in selecting a lawn service contractor but one of the most important is the company's history and reputation. Recently, the BBB of the Southwest has heard from consumers who have paid large down payments to contractors only to have them fail to return and complete the jobs. There are other factors to consider as well, such as do you have the time to perform lawn maintenance or will you hire a contractor?
Many people find it best to hire a lawn service and choosing the right contractor can be a taxing experience. How can consumers find a reliable contractor? The Better Business Bureau of the Southwest offers the following:
Door to Door Solicitations. Companies going door-to-door soliciting business should raise a "red flag". Use a reputable company with a history in the community.
Know What You Want. Lawn care companies provide many services, including mowing, maintenance, aeration, seeding, landscaping, fertilization, pest control applications, and tree care. You should have an idea of which services you want before contacting a company.
Ask for Recommendations. Ask your family, friends and co-workers for recommendations of companies that they have used in the past.
Get Written Estimates. Get written estimates from at least three companies based on the same specifications, quality of materials, labor and time needed to complete the project. Don't automatically choose the lowest estimate.
Check Licensing. Make sure that the service is licensed to apply lawn care products as required by state law. New Mexico consumers can check with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture at (505) 646-3208 or visit their website at www.nmdaweb.nmsu.edu. Colorado residents can contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture at (303) 239-4100 or visit their website at www.ag.state.co.us.
Pay Upon Completion. Never pay in full for a service before seeing the final results. Avoid making checks payable to individuals. Be wary if the company asks you to leave money in the door or under the doormat for service.
Expect Professionalism. If a representative of the company fails to show up at the scheduled date and time, contact the company. Consumers who feel that they are being put off, may want to consider using another company's service.
Check with the BBB. Contact the Better Business Bureau of the Southwest at (505) 346-0110 or 1-800-873-2224 or look up a company's reliability report on our website.
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