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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 Mission Viejo. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
A beautiful lawn adds value to your home. Well-kept landscaping makes a great first impression on guests and homebuyers, and it indicates overall property care. Hire one of the best lawn care companies in Mission Viejo to keep your lawn looking pristine year-round.
Maintaining a lawn is hard work. Some services must be performed repeatedly throughout the year, as consistency is key to your lawn’s health. A lawn care expert can help you keep your lawn in good shape, regardless of the season.
Look for lawn care companies in Mission Viejo 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.
Below are additional lawn care companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Lawn care needs change each season. Some lawn services only need to be done once per year, while others should be performed regularly. The following services are often required in Mission Viejo each season to maintain a healthy and attractive lawn.
To choose the right lawn care company for your needs in Mission Viejo, check a company’s reputation on customer review sites and ask for recommendations from friends and family. Consider the following factors when vetting a company’s services, pricing, qualifications and expertise.
What licenses a lawn care company needs differs 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. Businesses using pesticides and herbicides also need to have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) license. When hiring someone, make sure you request proof of a company's licensing and verify their observance of local laws and ordinances.
Many lawn maintenance companies have unique specialties. When researching nearby companies, inquire about what offerings they have. Some specialize in general tasks like mowing, while others focus on particular services, like landscaping or pest control. The products used may differ too — some rely on chemicals, while some provide eco-friendly alternatives.
Businesses differ in the types of service packages that they provide. Purchasing recurring services may be less expensive than buying individually, so consider how much work you need done and which companies offer suitable packages. Keep an eye out for companies that offer specials on services at the beginning of each season.
If using particular chemicals gives you pause, many lawn care professionals can use green techniques instead. When comparing companies, ask if they offer natural substitutes and if their products are green-certified.
While comparing lawn care professionals near you, inquire with companies about the following questions and considerations.
Landscapes vary in scale and health. A specialist can help you choose suitable services for your needs and devise a unique upkeep schedule.
Lawn care services vary in how often they're needed throughout the year. Mowing and routine maintenance appointments typically happen about once per month, while fertilizer applications can occur two to four times annually. Winterizing a lawn is usually an annual service based on your region and lawn care professional’s guidance. How often fertilizers or winterizing treatments are needed depends on the local climate in your area.
How long lawn care activities take varies based on the treatment, your lawn's condition and the total area of your lawn. A mosquito spraying session on a small yard, for example, may only last a couple of minutes. However, manually seeding acres of overgrown grass can take several hours, or even days, depending on the size of the lot.
The time before you notice effects from lawn treatments varies 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 days or weeks as your grass takes root and strengthens.
You do not have to be home to receive lawn care services, but some companies will require your presence during their first visit to outline the service plan. In subsequent visits, the service professional may send you a text or email with photos to confirm that their lawn care tasks are complete.
Most lawn care is safe for both children and animals, but if chemicals are applied, kids and pets should remain away from the lawn during treatment and a few hours afterward. The precise amount of time they need to stay off the lawn depends on the agents used and your lawn pro's advice.
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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