New Home Lawn Maintenance

[Dave5]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!

[Walker Industries]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!

Feel free to give us a call for quotes!
A Cutting Edge
Here is the link to our website:
Lawn Care | Cutting Edge The Vilages (https://www.cuttingedgethevillages.com)
Have a great day, Walker

[Gpsma]

That quote is extremely high. Lots of good lawn people here...check around

[Papa_lecki]

Seems high, i use CHoice Maintenance.

You’ll want

Mowing
Trimming
Weed control

I do use Massey for pest

I also underestimated having someone look at the irrigation. In the northeast, we shut irrigation off in the winter, so when we turn on, it gets a once over. About every 18 months, I pay someone to come look at the heads and coverage - not a contract, just an irrigation person, a few hundred dollars a visit.

[Babubhat]

Zoysia green for pest and fertilizer. Pay for lawn cutting separately and avoid markups. The rest pay per visit if needed

[splashes]

outragous price I use Massey for pest and lawn fertilization get a lawn cutters to give you a price I use Chadd lawn care they can do cutting and removing weeds in the shrub area. You dont need sprinkler service

[retiredguy123]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!
I have all of those services with Massey, except pest control, for $1,030 per year on a courtyard villa. I use Massey because, as far as I know, they are the only company who will do everything. It sounds like they have greatly increased their prices, unless you have a very large lot.

[thelegges]

First what size is your lot, and depending on size of your house what percentage is actually lawn. No on shrub maintenance for at least a year. Your tiny landscaping is less than a foot high.

Our current lawn is corner lot with large side and front yard. To walk behind mow it took me 1hour.

We have Deans for mow, trim, weed $100 a month. Pest, termite $70 a month. They trim our 14yo large bushes about every 3 months. Trim the 3 palms when a branch needs it..

Deans does everything you need, give them a call for a quote. Some like Massey, some not so much. Deans is at our house every week, same lawn guy since 2014, and Justine our pest tech has been with us since 2014 also.

Office staff easy to deal with, you will get a response within few hours from tech in field, usually at our house same day or first thing in the morning. If you aren’t here, we get a email, with detailed reports what’s wrong and treatment to fix.

[Garywt]

There are plenty out there, not a fan of Massey. My lawn guy charges $40 a month to cut, trim and blow. I have Deans to cover termites, bug control for the house, lawn and bushes and fertilizer and weed control for the lawn. This is done every other month for $122.

[retiredguy123]

First what size is your lot, and depending on size of your house what percentage is actually lawn. No on shrub maintenance for at least a year. Your tiny landscaping is less than a foot high.

Our current lawn is corner lot with large side and front yard. To walk behind mow it took me 1hour.

We have Deans for mow, trim, weed $100 a month. Pest, termite $70 a month. They trim our 14yo large bushes about every 3 months. Trim the 3 palms when a branch needs it..

Deans does everything you need, give them a call for a quote. Some like Massey, some not so much. Deans is at our house every week, same lawn guy since 2014, and Justine our pest tech has been with us since 2014 also.

Office staff easy to deal with, you will get a response within few hours from tech in field, usually at our house same day or first thing in the morning. If you aren’t here, we get a email, with detailed reports what’s wrong and treatment to fix.
Dean's will not work on irrigation systems, but Massey will. Also, Dean's requires a credit card on file that they can bill monthly. Massey doesn't.

[collegeref]

Hummmmm

Change the Locks in a new home ? Do you think your seller will unbreak in ?

[NMTrue]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!

We just had to fire Massey’s. They never came by to do the work while we were gone for the summer. When we returned it was a bloody mess (lawn and gardens full of huge weeds, didn’t trim bushes or palms, rocks FULL
of weeds). We had to call headquarters to get them to respond. Every time they made excuses about being short handed. I have outside cameras and could see no one was doing the work when they stated it was being done. When they did come, They damaged landscape lights, ripped birdcage screens and destroyed our metal edging with the mower.

We never got our money back for services not rendered but we paid for.

[bowlingal]

Do Not pay anyone in advance!!!

[banjobob]

We fired Massey several years ago , had all their services, now we use Dean’s much better job being done. You can cancel at anytime ,credit card on file .

[thelegges]

Dean's will not work on irrigation systems, but Massey will. Also, Dean's requires a credit card on file that they can bill monthly. Massey doesn't.

Deans does our irrigation at our rentals. Yes deans does require a CC, but we have used them since 2010 and have never had a problem.
Deans only charges after service is complete for the month. When we had our 1st house on the market, office asked us what to put on hold for services. Didn't get billed for those items.

How many companies can you say my service techs are the same wonderful people since 2014. We used them for our rentals, with two of our long term renters that always thought lawn should look like blue grass up north. Our lawn guy was the same for all three houses, always respectful to the tenents, then emailed us with action. Ad I said some like Massey me not so much.

[Ktots]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!


We use Massey for pest, lawn and shrub fertilization and sprinklers. I can’t speak to the fairness of price. Maybe get a couple more quotes and compare. Ask your neighbors who they use. We did have Massey in the past for mowing and they were awful. Better off finding someone more reliable.
We like Massey for pest services.
Weeding is probably necessary. The weeds will take over quickly if you don’t keep on top of them.
Irrigation: Turning them off isn’t really an option unless we have adequate rainfall. Bear in mind that if a sprinkler head blows off, it’s a lot of water pouring out. I don’t know how difficult it might be to get someone to come out to fix a sprinkler head on short notice. Maybe someone else can advise on that. If a head does blow, the sprinkler service won’t likely catch it anyway because they only come periodically. It would be good to exchange numbers with a neighbor and ask them to keep an eye on things in general. We always keep an eye out and let our neighbors know if we notice anything that might need attention. My husband is thinking about discontinuing the sprinkler service but we are here full time and he is generally frustrated with Massey’s fertilization and weed control services. We might try Deans.
Keys: New homes are keyed so that the villages agents can enter with universal keys. When you close on your home, you will re-key the locks to fit your keys.
If you have a keypad for your garage doors, make sure you have the contractor code on your garage door erased. Also, make sure you set the garage door control in your garage to the off position while you are away so no one can accidentally open the door with their opener. That can, and does, happen. If it happens to you, call the garage door people to come and reset your door opener.

Congratulations on your new home! Welcome!

[HomerSimpson]

Shut off potable water at main valve. Could save you a bundle of money.

Have someone come in and turn on water, then run water in all sinks about once a month. That will keep P-traps from evaporating and allowing palmetto bugs to come up the drains. Turn water back off at main valve. Alternatively, use plastic wrap to cover all drains and toilet bowl while gone.

Keep air conditioning on to prevent moisture issues like mold. Can keep it warmer, but don't shut it off.

Install cameras, but don't rely on battery-operated unless you plan to recharge them every couple months.

[Nucky]

The price from Massey on a Patio Villa lawn mowing is negotiable. Just let them know that they are loosing a new customer for every other service because of the greed of the new G.M. They started out at $100 for a 15 minute cut. The price was dropped substantially. I want one call to do it all! I got it. $70 a month for sprinklers, bug, termites and weeding. $60 for the lawn. If they screw up, they will be sent packing! Time will tell. I’m optimistic.

[mkjelenbaas]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!
WARNING!! Do not hire DEANS - I had them when we were snow birds for our home and they stopped mowing - neighbor sends me pics - I call them and they tried to lie their way out of it - emailed them the pics and they said they did not want me for a customer ! Get someone who is already working in your Village and then find a friend in the neighborhood who can check for you OR you can hire a company to do a check on your home!! BEWARE AS MANY COMPANIES WILL TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU!!

[Carlsondm]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!
Quotes are higher than ours. We compared services and reviews and chose Deans over Massey, primarily for termite, insect, and weed control. An independent mower does our grass. In fact they do most of the lawns around here. Check with your neighbors to see who they use. Irrigation was checked once. We maintain it. The lot is small.

[GmaLisaG]

We are full time and do most all ourselves .. the people are correct that snow bird homes have continuously been ignored therefore yards looking really bad . I have heard AND seen many and they had Massey.

[GaryKoca]

I would go with Massey for fertilization, weed control, pest control, and irrigation, and go with a local guy for grass cutting, bush trimming, and weeds in the mulch and around your sprinklers. That has worked well for us. Plenty of local individuals to do the grass cutting. That is what we do.

[daca55]

For the times your not there you should look into getting a humidistat installed as it will safe you money on air conditioning. You should also have someone check your house when you are not there for extended periods of time.

[miketinawilliamson]

That is an outrageous price, we pay $1700 from Dean's and it incl. all of the services mentioned

[retiredguy123]

That is an outrageous price, we pay $1700 from Dean's and it incl. all of the services mentioned
Dean's told me that they do not work on irrigation systems. Is that not correct?

[Ski Bum]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!

What are "Monthly Landscape Service" and "Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service"? Those two items add up to about half your expense. If you are down once in the winter and once in the summer, that's probably enough to trim bushes, etc. yourself.

The rest of the services are needed. I use Massey on one home and Deans on the other. When you don't live on site, it's nice having a big company that you can call. There are a lot of local one-truck guys that do good work, but they do sometimes disappear.

Get cameras for outside and inside and get a home watch person to come through once a month, run some water in the drains, pick up the junk mail, etc. Cheap piece of mind.

You'll need internet service for the cameras. If you do that, get wifi door locks so you can let service people in.

[jojoturf]

Regarding locks — we just closed in Richmond. The builder changed locks after our walk through on the morning of closing. He left a set of new keys in the house & at closing, we got two additional sets from the closing agent. Welcome!

[maistocars]

Plants and grass don't grow much in the winter. I have Superior for Pest Control inside and out ($495). Mowing is $50/mo. Weed control - only use when you need it - which is the growing season. Also, not sure of the difference between monthly landscape service and monthly lawn or shrub service?

[JMintzer]

WARNING!! Do not hire DEANS - I had them when we were snow birds for our home and they stopped mowing - neighbor sends me pics - I call them and they tried to lie their way out of it - emailed them the pics and they said they did not want me for a customer ! Get someone who is already working in your Village and then find a friend in the neighborhood who can check for you OR you can hire a company to do a check on your home!! BEWARE AS MANY COMPANIES WILL TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU!!

I use Deans and they've NEVER charged me if they didn't provide the service. I have a doorbell camera and a front security camera, so I get notifications and can see when they show up.

They show up when scheduled (occasionally a day or three later due to rain...)

[Dusty_Star]

I am in the middle of the purchase of a new home in Richmond. Our closing date is in a few weeks. This will be a winter home for us and we won't be down much this year - just a few times to get some furnishings and check on things.
I am wondering what is needed as far as outdoor maintenance is concerned. I have been reading about mowing, trimming, and pest control.
Do you have any recommendations for people who do this work?

We did get a quote from Massey for the following:

Mowing $1080/yr
Weeding $698/yr
Monthly Landscape Service $857/yr
Bi-monthly lawn or shrub service $642/yr
Pest prevention $249/yr (first year)
Irrigation $190/yr
--------------------------------
Total: $3716/yr (Approx $310/month)

Being from up north, I don't know if these numbers are high, low, or within reason.

Wondering, are all of these services essential? The person at Massey said most people don't choose everything quoted.

Is it recommended to change the locks when you move in?

Also, if you have any thoughts about anything I may have overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks so much for any help. Very excited to become a Villager!!!

What is irrigation for $190 per year? Is that to maintain the grass around the sprinkler heads?

[Kenswing]

WARNING!! Do not hire DEANS - I had them when we were snow birds for our home and they stopped mowing - neighbor sends me pics - I call them and they tried to lie their way out of it - emailed them the pics and they said they did not want me for a customer ! Get someone who is already working in your Village and then find a friend in the neighborhood who can check for you OR you can hire a company to do a check on your home!! BEWARE AS MANY COMPANIES WILL TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU!! Deans is the third company we’ve used and are by far the best. I can almost set my watch by when they show up on Monday mornings. The crew is very efficient. I know them all by name and if there’s something I need them to do I just need to ask.

I understand they have several crews working. I guess we’re fortunate to have a great one.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

Massey will never “weed” - they barely blow. Honesty they stink, but yes, it is the most convenient way to go for one stop shopping and their pest division is reliable so until you are here on a more regular basis it’s an easy option. Agree, you don’t need the irrigation option. You will get an irrigation walkthrough from the vendor who installed your system after you close. The locks are your own comfort call, but definitely ask the builder at the walkthrough meeting on closing day for their garage door access code and how to remove it from your panel. The builder has one code for all their homes so that is your exposure for access to your home. You may also want to look into home watch services while you are away.

[retiredguy123]

What is irrigation for $190 per year? Is that to maintain the grass around the sprinkler heads?
They operate and inspect the sprinkler system 4 times per year, adjust heads, and replace if needed. Also, if you have their service, they will repair any damage or leaks at a nominal charge. If the OP will be out-of-town, and a sprinkler breaks, who will fix it? If you call a company you don't know, they may be booked for several weeks, and when they do come, they may charge you more than $190 just to fix one leak. That is why I have an irrigation service.

[irishexecutive]

Green Smiths lawn and pest control. 352-303-0205. Owned locally. We have had him 5 years. No contracts, he said if I dont like his service fire him. Wow who says that nowdays

[irishexecutive]

Green Smith Pest control 352-303-0205. No contracts and no need to pay ahead

[Lyn Wagner]

Check out the price from bates. 352-259-2818. Happy with the service 18 years.

[Dusty_Star]

They operate and inspect the sprinkler system 4 times per year, adjust heads, and replace if needed. Also, if you have their service, they will repair any damage or leaks at a nominal charge. If the OP will be out-of-town, and a sprinkler breaks, who will fix it? If you call a company you don't know, they may be booked for several weeks, and when they do come, they may charge you more than $190 just to fix one leak. That is why I have an irrigation service.

Thanks!!!

[Altavia]

Lot's of good advise here, Deans does a good job for us pest and lawn.

Make friend's with your neighbors to help keep an eye on things when away

Consider a WIFI irrigation controller like B-Hyve so you can make seasonal adjustments remotely.

[retiredguy123]

Deans does our irrigation at our rentals. Yes deans does require a CC, but we have used them since 2010 and have never had a problem.
Deans only charges after service is complete for the month. When we had our 1st house on the market, office asked us what to put on hold for services. Didn't get billed for those items.

How many companies can you say my service techs are the same wonderful people since 2014. We used them for our rentals, with two of our long term renters that always thought lawn should look like blue grass up north. Our lawn guy was the same for all three houses, always respectful to the tenents, then emailed us with action. Ad I said some like Massey me not so much.
I asked Dean's about your irrigation comment. They said that they do not offer irrigation maintenance as one of their services, and they will not repair an irrigation leak. But, if they mow your lawn and they notice an issue, they may do a sprinkler pattern check and notify you. But they do not maintain or repair sprinkler systems.

[AlanC]

Feel free to give us a call for quotes!
A Cutting Edge
Here is the link to our website:
Lawn Care | Cutting Edge The Vilages (https://www.cuttingedgethevillages.com)
Have a great day, Walker
No to Massey. Promised twice a month lawn service, either never came or only once a month. Blamed it on staff shortage. Also damaged fence gate with mower. Wouldn't pay for damage or refund my money for non performance. Customer service horrible too, never answer phone. You've been warned.

[rjm1cc]

When you are up North be sure to turn the water off to the home. Leave the sprinkler water ON.
I would look for a local handy man.

[Postreader]

My lawn guy is $40 per month. Check with your neighbors for recommendations.

I use Massey for monthly lawn service which includes weeding, aeration, insect and disease control, shrubs, fertilization, etc. I also, use them for pest prevention, and irrigation. I probably would not have the irrigation service if I were a full time resident.

You don't need bi-monthly and weeding if you have the monthly plan that would be duplicating services. I believe the monthly plan includes some additional services.

My total cost including mowing is about $1,500 per year (versus your $3,716 quote) or $1,300 w/o irrigation. Massey bi-monthly lawn service vs. monthly would have been $200 less per year.

[Eric Carman]

There are plenty out there, not a fan of Massey. My lawn guy charges $40 a month to cut, trim and blow. I have Deans to cover termites, bug control for the house, lawn and bushes and fertilizer and weed control for the lawn. This is done every other month for $122.

Hi Gary,
Can you give me your guys info that charges $40 per month?

[JoMar]

Green Smith Pest control 352-303-0205. No contracts and no need to pay ahead

Agree....always available, backup their service and play well with others. Dropped Deans years ago.