Highlights
A leaf removal service will vacuum, bag, and dispose of leaves in your yard.
You can find a good company either by asking neighbors or exploring online reviews.
Before hiring a company, measure your yard and check the company's qualifications.
Interview the leaf removal service for details about their leaf removal process.
Make sure you draw up a written contract.
Having trees in your yard is great in the summer, not so much in the fall. Once the autumn rolls around, picking up and getting rid of leaves becomes a constant chore. And if you're tired of doing it, you may have considered hiring a leaf removal service.
A leaf removing company will provide lawn care to keep your yard clear of leaves by vacuuming, bagging, and removing leaves. You can also turn these leaves into mulch to help with your landscaping. But how do you choose the right service? This guide will help you do that.
How to Find a Leaf Removal Service
The best way to find a good leaf removal service is to ask around. Have your neighbors recently hired one of these services to clear their own lawns? You may have seen these workers vacuum and bag leaves every week. Ask your neighbor what service they used and how good of a job they did.
Another great way to find a good company is to go online and contact a leaf removal service near you with good reviews. They should be able to provide you with a quote and a detailed breakdown of how they do the work.
Before Hiring a Leaf Removal Service
Before you decide to hire a leaf removal service, you should do a few things to make sure they’re the right company.
Take Measurements for Accurate Quotes
How large is the space you need clearing? How often do you want it cleared? You’ll need to answer these questions to get an accurate quote from the company you want to hire. The cost of leaf removal is usually between $200 and $600 per cleanup, although some services charge by the bag rather than by the size of your yard.
Check the Company’s Qualifications and References
While you don’t need any special licensing to do leaf removal, it still might be better to get a bonded and insured company in case a worker gets injured for whatever reason. This keeps you from being liable. Also, ask for references from other homeowners who have hired the service to ensure they have satisfied customers.
Questions to Ask Your Leaf Removal Service
To determine if they’re the right service for you, you need to ask a few specific questions, including:
What is your process for leaf removal?
Do you charge by the bag or by the size of the yard?
How much do you charge?
How many workers do you use?
What tools do you use for removal?
How do you dispose of the leaves?
Can you provide references?
Hiring Your Leaf Removal Service Tips
There are a few other things you should do before pulling the trigger on a leaf removal service, so keep in mind the following tips.
Interview with Your Leaf Removal Service
Don’t skip this step, as it’s arguably the most important. When you ask questions that are important to you, you may learn what will affect your decision on hiring them that wasn’t obvious to other homeowners.
Ask for a Background Check
Whenever you hire someone to work on your property, it’s wise to run a background check, regardless of the type of work they perform.
Get a Contract and Arrange Payments With Your Leaf Removal Service
Before hiring a company, the terms of the project should be laid out in a written contract. This contract should spell out the project's scope, how often they’ll be removing leaves, what areas they will clear, and how you’ll make payments. Don’t work with companies that want to stick with verbal agreements.
Keep Records of Your Leaf Removal
While leaf removal isn’t complicated work, it’s still wise to keep records on when they come out to your property, what work they do, and what payments they make.
Look for Red Flags
The most common red flags with a leaf removal service are not showing up during agreed-upon times and not clearing the leaves properly or leaving entire spaces unfinished that you both agreed should be cleared. Make sure there is a clause in your contract that allows you to terminate the agreement and find another company if this is the case.
Once the leaves are completely off your trees and there is no more need for leaf cleanup, make the final payment to your leaf removal service and leave a review. Make a note to hire them next autumn if you liked their work.
