30 Sep DIY or Hire a Professional? You Decide.
This is some great advice via PLANET. Did we mention we give free estimates?
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) offers consumers advice about how to tackle their yard. It is important to know when doing it yourself is a good option and when it is best to hire a professional.
PLANET suggests that people first focus on making sure that their lawn, plants, trees, and shrubs are healthy. Do a walk-through of the yard, look at the plants, trees, and shrubs and make sure they look green and healthy. If the lawn is patchy and brown or the plants, trees, or shrubs are diseased, it is a good idea to call a professional lawn care company to make an assessment and offer solutions.
Hire a professional for:
Landscape design and installation — Most people, with the exception of very experienced gardeners, do not feel comfortable designing a landscape, so they generally turn to professionals for design and installation help.
New lawn installation or major repairs — Installing a new yard or repairing a damaged yard is difficult and time consuming. Professional companies have the equipment, training, and the skills to do this task, and to do it safely. It is important to the value of a home that the lawn is in good condition.
Irrigation, aeration, and lighting projects — Projects such as installing irrigation systems, aerating a lawn, and installing outdoor lighting are usually done by people with professional grade equipment and expertise.
Do it yourself for:
Maintenance — Some people opt to have lawn care and landscaping companies mow, weed, prune, and trim hedges on a regular basis. However, homeowners with an interest in gardening or who are looking to save money can do some of their own maintenance.
Seasonal sprucing up — Homeowners can add a lot to their curb appeal by planting seasonal annuals, and by mulching and cleaning up plant beds.
For more information, or to find a lawn care and landscape professional, log on to
LandcareNetwork.org/findaprofessional or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.