<div>A lawn service business is a professional contractor focusing primarily on lawn care and maintenance. In addition to lawn care, some companies offer landscaping, gardening, and snow removal as well as unique services, such as outdoor mosquito fumigation and irrigation system repairs. Lawn care companies offer ongoing and onetime services for residential and commercial customers.</div><div> </div>For choosing a professional lawn service over DIY lawn care, convenience is essential, as a professional service takes the stress out of putting aside time to mow, pull weeds, and maintain landscaping. Licensed lawn care technicians diagnose issues, provide solutions, and have the training and skill sets to perform work safely, especially while handling various equipment.

Lawn care prices can start anywhere from $25 and run into the thousands of dollars, depending on the type of services requested. For example, basic lawn mowing runs between $25 and $50 per service, while complete landscaping services can cost several thousand dollars. Fertilizing treatments are between $40 and $60 per application, and lawn weeding services start at $20 per hour.

Lawn maintenance services typically involve lawn care on a weekly or monthly basis. Professional lawn technicians perform duties that include spring and fall yard cleanup, shrub trimming, weed control, and lawn mowing. For homes with driveways, patios, or walkways, maintenance services also include edging.

While certain aspects of lawn care and lawn maintenance are similar, the major difference is that lawn care companies focus on lawn and landscape health, while lawn maintenance involves its upkeep. Lawn care companies handle tasks such as fertilization, weed and crabgrass control, and soil testing. Lawn maintenance companies assist with pruning, lawn mowing, and overall yard cleanups.

Mowing the lawn on a weekly or biweekly basis throughout the growing season helps ensure optimal grass health. When watering, it's best to do so early in the morning to ensure the lawn is dry before nightfall. This helps prevent mold and bacteria growth in the soil. Weed control and spring fertilizing can also help keep a lawn healthy.

Organic pesticides and lawn care treatments are available in a wide range of options. Organic fertilizers are slow-release, and they contain organic matter that provides nutrients without compromising earthworms and microbes in the soil. Organic pesticides can be plant-, mineral-, or microbial-based and consist of various substances, such as nicotine, neem oil, and pyrethrin.

It's not a requirement that customers remain at home when lawn care services are performed. However, homeowners should ensure that all lawn care technicians have access to the property if they plan to be away and provide contact information in the event of an emergency or if the project manager has questions.

Following chemical treatments, such as pesticide or fertilizing, it's recommended that pets stay off lawns for 48 to 72 hours. Pets should be kept away from lawn and foliage that's been treated with weed killers and chemical fertilizers until the leaves and grass have dried. Property owners should consult with lawn care technicians on time frames and potentially dangerous chemicals.

Lawn aeration is a process in which holes are created in soil with a tool called an aerator. This procedure is done to help the grass grow and improve the underlying soil. Aeration typically takes place during early spring on lawns with cool-season grass, and in late spring on lawns with warm-season grass.

Grass types are warm season or cool season. Cool-season grass is prevalent in colder climates and can survive frigid temperatures. Its types include Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Warm-season grass is found in the southern states and warm climates and includes Bermuda grass and Centipede.

Clover is a natural nitrogen-fixing plant that allows for rich nutrient incorporation into the soil. Clover is stable, and it continues to grow in the event of a drought. A common practice is to mix clover with other types of grass to minimize or eliminate the need for additional fertilizer.

Incorporating clover into lawns helps protect grass from droughts, as it remains hardy in dry conditions. Tall fescue and sheep fescue grass have coarse textures and can withstand extended periods of dry weather, and buffalo grass only requires a minimal amount of weekly moisture to grow throughout the summer.

Natural lawn care involves the care and treatment of grass soil with organic matter, such as grass clippings, and utilizing natural pesticides and herbicides. Soil aeration is a common practice in natural lawn care, as it helps to improve soil texture.

On average, new businesses can generate up to $50,000 per year, while established companies can earn over $100,000 or more annually. The amount of profits a lawn service can earn is based on several factors, including set prices for services, such as mowing and weed control, to help establish a bottom line. Building dependable customer bases can also help boost profits.

The average cost for lawn maintenance is between $30 and $80 per job, and providers may choose to raise or lower their prices based on specific services performed. The minimum cost per visit for services, such as mowing and weeding, is approximately $25, and the maximum charge per visit typically caps at $150.

Common equipment used when performing lawn maintenance services includes a vehicle and utility trailer to travel and haul equipment, such as commercial lawn mowers, trimmers, blowers, and edgers. If a business offers additional services, such as landscaping or weed treatments, landscaping tools and sprayers are also needed.

San Jose, CA

California Contractors State License Board