Questions to ask a lawn care company before you sign up

The visit

1. What does one visit include: mow, edge, blow off the walks, haul or mulch the clippings?
2. How many visits does the price assume, and do you drop to every other week in the dry weeks of summer?
3. What happens on a rained-out mow day: next day, next week, or skipped?
4. Who closes the gate and checks for the dog before the crew leaves?

Weed, moss and bug treatment

Ask these even if you only want mowing. Some crews add a treatment as a "free" extra.

1. Do you apply anything: weed-and-feed, moss killer, insect control? WSDA counts every one of those as a pesticide, including fertilizer with moss control in it. (WSDA)
2. Whose WSDA Commercial Applicator license covers that work, and is the person spraying a licensed Commercial Operator? (WSDA AGR PUB 702-556)
3. If you are not licensed, do you hand the spraying to a licensed company? WSDA lists subcontracting as one of three legal options, along with getting licensed or dropping the service. (WSDA)
4. Which product will you use? Get the name in writing if kids, pets or a vegetable bed share the yard.

You can confirm a license with WSDA licensing at 877-301-4555 or license@agr.wa.gov. (WSDA)

Anything past mowing

Mowing, pruning and lawn care need no L&I contractor registration. Landscape construction does, and L&I treats landscapers as specialty contractors who post a $15,000 bond. (L&I F625-084-000, read Oct 17, 2026) So if the job grows to a patio or a wall, ask:

1. What is your L&I contractor registration number? Check it on L&I Verify.
2. Will I get a written bid for the build, separate from the mowing contract?

Sprinklers

Installing a residential lawn sprinkler system falls under L&I's landscaping contractor specialty, so the installer should be registered. (WAC 296-200A-016) Olympia lists yard sprinkler systems among the work that needs a permit. (Olympia)

If your water comes through a Saving Water Partnership utility, you can get up to $100, $10 per working zone, for replacing an old timer with a WaterSense timer bought April 1 to October 31. Apply within 30 days of purchase. (Saving Water Partnership)

Money

1. Do you bill per visit, per month or per season?
2. Do I pay for weeks you skip?
3. Is leaf and clipping haul-away extra?
4. What name do I make the check out to? It should match the business license. Washington requires one once a business grosses $12,000 a year. (Washington DOR, read Oct 17, 2026)

Next

Line up quotes with how to compare lawn care quotes, and read who can treat your lawn for weeds and moss before anyone sprays.