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Michelle NatiHome improvement writer
Michelle Nati is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She has written about home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 lawn care companies that operate within 50 miles of El Cajon. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
A well-maintained lawn boosts your home's curb appeal while creating a beautiful space for outdoor living. It also offers a memorable first impression to potential visitors. Take advantage of the best lawn care companies in El Cajon to create a year-round care strategy for your lawn.
Maintaining a lawn is demanding. Some services must be performed repeatedly throughout the year, as consistency is key to your lawn’s health. This can be especially tricky in El Cajon, where hot summers pose a risk to your grass.
Look for lawn care companies in El Cajon with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.
5160 Mercury Point Suite A, San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 908-1979
www.purchasegreen.com/locations/san-d...Below are additional lawn care companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Lawn care requires seasonal adjustments throughout the year. Certain services are needed yearly, while other tasks should be done at the beginning of each season. These are standard El Cajon lawn services that help nurture your lawn's color and growth throughout the seasons:
To hire the ideal lawn care provider in El Cajon, review customer feedback online and seek referrals from people in your area. When vetting a company, weigh its rates, credentials, offerings and skills by considering the following.
What licenses a lawn care company needs varies between states. Most gardeners performing general lawn maintenance in the U.S. do not need a special license. However, landscaping companies in California are licensed through the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB). A C-27 Landscaping Contractor’s License is required for projects with costs of more than $500, including labor and materials.
For pest control services, lawn care professionals in California should also have earned a Qualified Applicator License or certificate from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Companies applying pesticides and herbicides are also required to be licensed through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Inquire about your contractor's permit status and verify compliance with local laws.
Lawn care providers often have unique niches. When comparing companies in your area, discover their service offerings. Certain professionals focus on regular maintenance like mowing, while others specialize in services like aerating and fertilizing. The materials they use can vary too — some use chemical products, while some offer environmentally friendly options.
Lawn care providers differ in the types of packages they offer. You might consider signing up for a seasonal package that covers a variety of services, rather than scheduling individual service visits. Consider your needs and which companies have fitting plans. Look out for special discounts that local companies offer at the beginning of the season.
If you don't want chemicals used on your lawn, many landscaping companies offer natural alternatives instead. When comparing service providers, ask about green options.
When researching lawn maintenance services nearby, pose these questions to potential providers.
Yards are rarely identical in their size and needs. A seasoned pro can guide you in selecting the right services for your yard and creating a custom care plan.
Lawn care services differ in how often they need to be done. Routine maintenance appointments for services such as mowing will typically take place once a month, while fertilizing can occur annually to quarterly. Winterizing your lawn usually takes place once a year. The frequency of these services is based on your local climate and advice from your lawn care professional.
How long it takes to service your lawn depends on factors like treatments, lawn condition and yard size. For instance, treating a tiny lawn for fleas or mosquitoes may take just minutes, while mowing a large, unkempt property could take several hours.
The time before you notice effects from lawn treatments differs by the service type. Services like snow removal and manual weed pulling offer immediate results. However, lawn renovations through seeding or fertilizer applications will only show over a period of days to weeks as your grass takes root and strengthens.
You do not need to be home for lawn services, though some companies request you be present at the first visit to discuss the service plan. After that, the professional can forward you a text or email with photos showing tasks were completed.
Most lawn services are generally safe. However, if chemicals are introduced, children and pets must stay indoors during treatment and for at least a few hours afterward. The exact number of hours they should keep away depends on the chemicals applied and what your lawn care professional recommends.
Experts Ready to Help
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national lawn care companies against our full lawn care methodology. We score lawn care companies based on service options, reputation and reviews, customer service and communication, and price.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
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