jojo7
LawnSite Member
- Location
- Knoxville, TN
First I would like to thank all of you for the very valuable information and eduction I have received from everyone here since I discovered this site yesterday. I have read all the way back to the beginning on this thread and a bunch on others.
My husband and I have used Professional LCO for the past 3 years out of the 4 we have now lived in this house plus the previous 2 years in another house. We have been through 3 different major named companys and very dissatisfied with all.
You all have taught me that some of the blame is ours, for unrealistic expectations, coming from lack of lawn care knowledge.
BUT...you've also taught me that alot of the blame also lies with our choice of big name companys.
We choose to use a Professional LCO because of time constriants but more importantly......because they are suppose to have the experience and or knowledge to do it right! I don't like or understand the use of chemicals. I want to have a nice yard but I also don't want to have one at the expense of my health (not that your health is unimportant, but you know how to use them) or damage to the environment because of my lack of knowledge....I suck at math, those numbers make no sence to me. Let me hire some one that does.
This yard was gorgeous when we moved in 4 years ago and looks like crap now (previous homeowner took care of it). It was some sort of fescus, very thick and lush looking. This year it looks worse then it ever has, tons of crab grass, bermuda's creeping in, and very weak looking. How can you go from a beautiful yard to this in 4 years! What am I paying you for? Your suppose to be the expert? What the hell are those pre-emergents I'm paying you for...or are you even using them? Why is my ph at 5.0 when you just limed in October!
So anyway enough ranting. I am now in the process of deciding on yet another LOC and am going to hire a smaller local independent owner.
So my question to all you pros out there is how to decide who to hire. What questions should I ask?
My first guy came by today, these are some of the things I asked.
I already knew how long he's been in business (from his ad, about 20 )
What product does he use and for how long. (Vita-Care)
And Estimates.
I did not ask about license, figured after 20 he has them. Maybe wrong?
I know I should also ask for references but this seems almost silly to me... I mean really, are they going to give me someone's name who doesn't like them? What good is that really? The only people in our neighborhood who has a nicer yard then ours use to be, are the people who had the time, knowledge, and willingness to do it themselves. We Don't.
I don't mind paying for quality...within reason...and am more then willing to pay a fair price for services rendered. BUT..I hate constantly feeling like I'm getting ripped off.
These are reasons why I would hire you and keep you.
1. Performance/Quality of work
2.Honesty/Trust
3.Reliability/Dependability (hard to come by in all aspects of home ownership)
4. Communication. Please tell me in English and in terms I understand as a homeowner what you need me to do on my part!
Remember...I don't have your knowledge, and I don't get half of what your talking about....I'm just pretending to, to not look stupid...which I am. I really don't know how to correctly water one inch a week! You need to make sure I do.
5.Cost. I have had just as much bad experience with high cost help versus low cost, so that really is not telling to me. I have no problem paying for services rendered, but also totally don't agree with the "you get what you pay for crowd". From experience that's not always true.
To end this, I've learned here that I guess we should give whoever I hire at least 2 years to prove themselves to me.
Is their some way we can tell they are doing what they are suppose to be doing in that time without having to babysit?
Please tell me how to hire those of you who take pride and care in your work. All others need not apply.
Thank you reading...and thank you for the time taken to help all of us homeowners who can be your banes.
J. Creek
My husband and I have used Professional LCO for the past 3 years out of the 4 we have now lived in this house plus the previous 2 years in another house. We have been through 3 different major named companys and very dissatisfied with all.
You all have taught me that some of the blame is ours, for unrealistic expectations, coming from lack of lawn care knowledge.
BUT...you've also taught me that alot of the blame also lies with our choice of big name companys.
We choose to use a Professional LCO because of time constriants but more importantly......because they are suppose to have the experience and or knowledge to do it right! I don't like or understand the use of chemicals. I want to have a nice yard but I also don't want to have one at the expense of my health (not that your health is unimportant, but you know how to use them) or damage to the environment because of my lack of knowledge....I suck at math, those numbers make no sence to me. Let me hire some one that does.
This yard was gorgeous when we moved in 4 years ago and looks like crap now (previous homeowner took care of it). It was some sort of fescus, very thick and lush looking. This year it looks worse then it ever has, tons of crab grass, bermuda's creeping in, and very weak looking. How can you go from a beautiful yard to this in 4 years! What am I paying you for? Your suppose to be the expert? What the hell are those pre-emergents I'm paying you for...or are you even using them? Why is my ph at 5.0 when you just limed in October!
So anyway enough ranting. I am now in the process of deciding on yet another LOC and am going to hire a smaller local independent owner.
So my question to all you pros out there is how to decide who to hire. What questions should I ask?
My first guy came by today, these are some of the things I asked.
I already knew how long he's been in business (from his ad, about 20 )
What product does he use and for how long. (Vita-Care)
And Estimates.
I did not ask about license, figured after 20 he has them. Maybe wrong?
I know I should also ask for references but this seems almost silly to me... I mean really, are they going to give me someone's name who doesn't like them? What good is that really? The only people in our neighborhood who has a nicer yard then ours use to be, are the people who had the time, knowledge, and willingness to do it themselves. We Don't.
I don't mind paying for quality...within reason...and am more then willing to pay a fair price for services rendered. BUT..I hate constantly feeling like I'm getting ripped off.
These are reasons why I would hire you and keep you.
1. Performance/Quality of work
2.Honesty/Trust
3.Reliability/Dependability (hard to come by in all aspects of home ownership)
4. Communication. Please tell me in English and in terms I understand as a homeowner what you need me to do on my part!
Remember...I don't have your knowledge, and I don't get half of what your talking about....I'm just pretending to, to not look stupid...which I am. I really don't know how to correctly water one inch a week! You need to make sure I do.
5.Cost. I have had just as much bad experience with high cost help versus low cost, so that really is not telling to me. I have no problem paying for services rendered, but also totally don't agree with the "you get what you pay for crowd". From experience that's not always true.
To end this, I've learned here that I guess we should give whoever I hire at least 2 years to prove themselves to me.
Is their some way we can tell they are doing what they are suppose to be doing in that time without having to babysit?
Please tell me how to hire those of you who take pride and care in your work. All others need not apply.
Thank you reading...and thank you for the time taken to help all of us homeowners who can be your banes.
J. Creek