Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 12, 2024 BBB Tip: Finding the right landscaping and lawn care pro can save you time and money A beautiful lawn can be both appealing and environmentally friendly, but it can take a lot of work J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. and be a tricky project and in the best of circumstancS LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping es can still be challenging; extended periods of extreme weather, dull lawnmower blades, bugs, pests and heavy foot traffic can all lead to a lawn that needs extra care. Lawn care generally falls into three categories: landscaping, lawn maintenance and sprinkler systems. Before selecting a business, evaluate your needs. Some businesses specialize in one area, while others offer various services. Landscaping: Landscaping businesses design landscapes for designated areas, select the appropriate plants and provide and install the plants. Lawn maintenance: Services generally include mowing, edging, weeding of flower beds, treating for insect disease, weed control, trimming of shrubs, irrigation systems checks and fertilizing. Sprinkler systems/irrigation: Services provided by sprinkler system businesses include design installation, general maintenance and repair. Check with your state to see if special licenses are required to do this work. There are many things that your lawn might need depending on the season. This includes pH testing, aerating the soil, fertilization, filling in bald spots, trimming overgrowth and planting seasonal flowers and plants. While many consumers choose to make lawn maintenance a do-ityourself project, some prefer to leave it to the professionals. Hiring a landscape contractor or lawn maintenance service gives homeowners the professional help they need. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers the following tips when considering hiring a lawn care professional: • Research and gather information. Once you have decided what services you need and your budget, get recommendations from friends and neighbors with lawns you admire. You can search for a business’s BBB Business Profile at BBB.org to get free information on their history of complaints, read customer reviews and see if they are a BBB Accredited Business. You can get a list of BBB Accredited lawn maintenance companies. Always look for the BBB Seal. It’s the Sign of a Better Business. • Ask for a lawn inspection. Services that quote a price without seeing your lawn cannot be sure what your lawn might need. Businesses will sometimes charge you to discuss specific landscaping ideas to protect themselves against clients who want to get their ideas and implement them themselves. They often credit you for the initial fee if you contract with the business. • Have a clear scope of work before asking for estimates. This includes defining the area to work on and what you want to be done. When getting bids, don’t compare apples with oranges. Make sure that each business has included the same services. Also, be sure that each business breaks the cost down similarly (per visit, month, year, etc.). • Ask for references and pictures of other jobs they installed or maintained. Ask the landscaper to provide references from previous clients. If possible, visit these locations to get a firsthand view of the quality of their work. Ask the references about their experiences with the landscaper’s services and professionalism and the quality of work performed. Also, inquire about the landscaper’s expertise and experience. Ask about their training, qualifications and any other certifications related to landscaping or horticulture. • Get specifics on prices and be clear on what services are included. Are you paying for a specific project or ongoing maintenance? Discuss your specific landscaping needs and make sure the landscaper offers the services you require, whether it’s lawn care, design, installation, maintenance or other specialized services. Do you pay by the mow or by the month? Many businesses allow you to pay after each treatment and might offer a discount if you pay the annual cost upfront. What happens if it rains the day someone is supposed to come to mow BBB TIP | SEE PAGE 11
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