Here’s my weekly post of confusion.

A while back I graduated the business to lawn fertilization and quit taking mowing jobs. I’m only accepting lawn fertilizing work (including applying fertilizer, weed control, insect preventative and curative, lime application, and seeding). I’ll also take aeration if the schedule permits. All those things are applied to lawns for the care of said lawn. In general, I care for people’s lawns.

I get calls for mowing quite often. The ones I get at this time of year are for lawns that have been neglected, are 6’ high and need mowed “RIGHT NOW!” I usually stop them before they make such demands and explain that I am a fertilizing business and don’t take mowing jobs.

Without fail, they begin arguing with me, “well the internet says you do lawn care”. I reply “that’s correct.” Then they argued with me that lawn care is mowing.


Do I need to change the name of my business? Maybe something like “no mow services”.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark123,

Yes. To the layman, ie me, "lawn Care" encompasses everything to do with my lawn. I would add in the no mowing clause.

To me, a business citing "lawn care" does what you do. A "landscaping" or "landscaper" business does what you do, plus mowing, shrub pruning, etc.

I think you should, if for no other reason than to save your self frustration over semantics.

To me, lawn care is an all inclusive term and mowing is the biggest part of lawn care in my mind. I would change your online presence to reflect that you are a fertilizing service, and list the other services that you provide as well.

If nothing else, this would save you from some of the arguments with random strangers about what services they think you should provide.

TruGreen describes themselves as 'America's #1 Lawn Care Company' They don't provide mowing services so I would say that you're using industry standards for describing your services.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
Do I need to change the name of my business? Maybe something like “no mow services”.

Yes, spell it out in plain English, in bold capital letters, WE DO NOT MOW LAWN, and save yourself from future arguments.

Something like "Lawn Doctor" too cute?
Maybe something else along that line.

^^^

I came here to post that.

How about:

"No Mow Lawns"

At some point in the 80's the popular definition of "lawn care" morphed from mowing and trimming services into chemical application ala Lawn Docter et. al. The heavy advertising of the providers entering the industry was what got this into people's heads. Before that, it was generally provided as an extra service to regular mowing customers. The term "grounds keeping/maintenance" did not suffer the same fate.

I think these days, when most people think of "lawn care," that is what they mean with the assumption that mowing and trimming will be handled by the property owner, or another contractor. I suspect that this is a direct result of the EPA-related regulation of herbicides and insecticides that left home owners and commercial property owners (and many grounds maintenance providers) with the feeling that they just didn't want to deal with all that nonsense. Many commercial providers of grounds keeping services were eager to adopt this paradigm shift due to the higher margins (barely) and lessened involvement with the heavy labor requirements of mowing services.

I was working in the industry servicing commercial properties when this was happening, and the focus of trade shows and industry conventions/seminars changed markedly during this time. In fact, I usually think of these as distinct businesses "labor services," and "chemical services." I'd bet there are a lot of long-term Lawn Doctor franchisees who have never, in their career, been paid for mowing a lawn.

One way of dealing with jobs you don't want is to quote a price that the customer is not likely to accept. An old boss said it this way, "There are lots of jobs I don't want. I'll turn down some because I can't afford to take them, and accept some because I can't afford not to take them." Another deflection mechanism is to require a season-long commitment from the potential customer, including an initial "clean-up" charge, perhaps 4-10X what a usual mow would be. Invariably, the properties with lawns that are knee high also have shrubbery that is overgrown and choked with weeds, that would be a separate clean-up charge. Season-long contracts help with labor issues because of predictable requirements, and even out the cash flow.

And, if you are unwilling to consider mowing at any compensation level, definitely say as much on your website. It might also be useful to have a firm to which you could refer customers for these services, especially if they are willing to pay you a finder's fee.

I have a lawn care company and one that fertilizes the yard. So, yea, I'd call you if I needed my yard mowed.

On the flip side, if you can keep weeds from growing in my yard, I'd take your business. Seems none of the fertilizer companies can do it even though it's the only thing they do.

I employ Green Thumb Lawn Care to do the work that you described. They don’t mow lawns and I’ve never been confused about that.

I think I'd start out using 12131's suggestion before a name change. True Green does that just with their name but you need something almost as simple and thrifty with words.

Early and prominently in your ad make a list of what you do and don't do. Keep it simple and basic-we do 1,2& 3, and we don't do 4,5&6 type of thing. Right after your company name put something real simple that tells what you do.

Unfortunately when you deal directly with the public, there are always some that want to debate and nit pick. Thank them for their suggestion and go on with your business.

quote:

Unfortunately when you deal directly with the public, there are always some that want to debate and nit pick. Thank them for their suggestion and go on with your business.

You can change it all your want, but doubtful you can eliminate the calls from people to mow.

I'd do a catchy phrase vs some we don't only statement, no reason to be negative.

We'll make your yard green and grow
but there ain't no way we we'll fuck'n mow...

burma shave...

probably have to take out the fuck'n part...

quote:

We'll make your yard green and grow
but there ain't no way we we'll fuck'n mow... Big Grin

I like it.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
^^^

I came here to post that.

How about:

"No Mow Lawns"

Kinda, beat me to it, I was thinking new company name "NO MO MO"

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Something like "Lawn Doctor" too cute?
Maybe something else along that line.

I don't know if they're still in business, but there was a lawn care company around here named 'Lawn Doctor'.
I would research any new name to avoid confusion or hassles.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffxjet:
Yes. To the layman, ie me, "lawn Care" encompasses everything to do with my lawn. I would add in the no mowing clause.

Agreed. In my mind, lawn care includes mowing.

You should change the name. I get the idea of what it means but clearly customers can’t be sure without checking. In addition I’d add that I stay away from businesses that have negativity in their ads. A big “WE DONT MOW” is sort of an angry ad. Maybe a more positive note like “fertilIzation services (sorry we do not offer mowing service at this time ).

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

In my mind, lawn care includes mowing.

I have a shiny new nickel, and I'll put it up as my end of a bet.

I'll bet that I can name at least a dozen things that are commonly accepted as "legal services," that the law office of jhe888 will refuse to do.

Any takers on that bet?

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Something like "Lawn Doctor" too cute?
Maybe something else along that line.

Already taken…

https://www.lawndoctor.com/