The Most Common Issues According to Lawn Care Services Reviews

Most homeowners understand the value of a lush, well-maintained lawn. It enhances the home’s curb appeal and overall value. That is why they turn to professionals for lawn maintenance services.

However, despite the large number of landscaping and gardening companies to choose from, customers do not always have a positive experience. In this article, we look at these common consumer issues when dealing with lawn care services and how to avoid them.

Key Insights

• According to PissedConsumer data, customer support is the most complained-about issue in the landscaping and gardening category.
• On average, homeowners spend $300 per month on lawn care services.
• To avoid lawn issues, do thorough research, look for consumer insights in online reviews, ask for recommendations from people you trust, and check lawn service companies' certifications and credentials.

Top Lawn Services Complaints 

After analyzing customer reviews on PissedConsumer, we identified the five most common lawn service complaints.

Incorrect Treatment 

Lawn care services reviews indicate that one of the most common issues is incorrect treatment, which can cause semi-permanent or permanent damage to the yard. Potential damage may include burning the grass because of too much fertilizer or weed killer. As proved by PissedConsumer reviews, it’s a common issue. Over 12% of customers had issues with incorrect treatment or complained about chemicals and fertilizers. 

Using the wrong fertilizer or applying it at the wrong time can also lead to nutrient imbalances and weaken the grass. Incorrect lawn treatment could leave it vulnerable to weeds, and 

Proper lawn maintenance depends on various factors and requires special attention, particularly in dry seasons and during drought.

Lawn services reviews on PissedConsumer.com indicate different forms of incorrect lawn treatments, including over-fertilization, improper mowing techniques, pesticide misuse, use of wrong products, and more. 

For example, in one of Truegreen lawn services reviews #6051526, the customer wrote:

True Green ruined my lawn. I put down new sod in May. They put down the first treatment and killed my sod…

Poor customer service

Clear and consistent communication is essential for maintaining a good relationship between lawn service providers and homeowners. Unfortunately, 18.06% of customers stated that they weren't able to receive necessary support. In some instances, it is challenging to reach the lawn service companies' customer service representatives.

For example, in one review, the customer described ExperiGreen customer service as “terrible”.

…The customer service rep said that they will send out a manager to take care of the problem and I never heard back from anyone. All around deceptive and will ruin your grass…

Misleading advertisements and false promises 

Some lawn service providers make unrealistic promises to secure new clients, which only frustrates customers when they do not see any improvements with the specific treatments. In some cases, the treatments lead to the deterioration of the garden. 

If a company pledges instant results of having a dense green lawn, it may be a red flag of false promises, as growing a lawn needs time and effort, especially if it is in poor conditions. 

This was the case in the TrueGreen review. The customer was promised quality and reliable service by the sales team. They had specific recommendations regarding their lawn treatment from their landscaper. Unfortunately, the TrueGreen service provider did not provide the service requested, leading to the deterioration of the reviewer’s new grass.

Unnecessary services and hidden charges 

In some cases, lawn care providers recommend unnecessary lawn services and treatments to make more money. According to PissedConsumer data, over 10% of customers had billing issues or unexpected charges. 

The unnecessary treatments not only cost the homeowner more but can also damage the lawn. For example, unnecessary use of pesticides and fertilizers can weaken or burn the grass.

One frustrated customer in the Lush Lawn review described the company as “conceiters”, saying:

Lush Lawn called me one day and said that they have a service for tree fungal treatment… However, they came one day before the deadline, treated the trees, and sent us a one thousand dollar bill for something we never agreed to…

Missed appointments and unreliable lawn care services

Another key concern coming up in lawn care services reviews is missed appointments. According to PissedConsumer data, 8.38% of reviews were related to instances where lawn service providers fail to show up for scheduled appointments and do not communicate about it. In other cases, service providers reschedule multiple times without proper communication, greatly inconveniencing homeowners. 

For example, in customer review #5991792, the customer expressed their frustration with Plowz and Mowz, saying: 

They never showed up and refuse to refund me.

Additional damage from a lawn care company

When hiring a lawn maintenance company, homeowners are optimistic that the service will enhance their yards. However, in some cases, unscrupulous contractors damage the lawns or property.

For example, in review #5963053, a customer was frustrated that the GreenPal lawn care service providers broke their fence and refused to repair it.

How to Avoid Lawn Service Issues

The key to avoiding these common issues with lawn services is hiring a provider who will not let you down and fulfill their promise. Thus, the question arises: How can you find such a company and avoid lawn service issues? Here are some tips.

• Do some research. Homeowners should do their due diligence to identify and hire highly reputable lawn care companies. As part of your research process, read online feedback. Pay attention to both positive and negative law service reviews. Be cautious about companies with a low rating and numerous negative reviews.
• Ask for recommendations. Consider asking friends, family, and neighbors who have used lawn services before for recommendations. 
• Check the lawn service companies' credentials and certifications. To ensure that companies meet professional standards and are adequately skilled and experienced with proper lawn care practices, ask for their certificates, licensing, and other documents that can prove their professionalism.
• Beware of Unrealistic Promises. Be wary of lawn service providers that guarantee instant greening or complete weed eradication. Also, remember that each lawn is unique, and you need a customized approach based on your lawn's condition, not a generic plan that suits all lawns. 

Enjoy Your Lawn Services

Building and maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn is not just a dream. It requires hard work and time. Before choosing a company that you will entrust with your front or back yard, be aware of common lawn service complaints and do your research. Read lawn reviews for prospective companies and avoid those with low ratings and numerous complaints.

What has been your experience with lawn care companies? Share your consumer insights and opinions with other customers. You may write a review on PissedConsumer.com or comment below.