[Professor]

Never pay in advance for a local operator for services.

[Llaperle]

In the beginning, I would pay them after the work. If you are satisfied with their work, then pay in advance. (I pay mine quarterly with bank auto pay in advance). It is great to use someone that your neighbors do so all the noise is at the same time.

[Skunky1]

Unfortunately those painted advanced has come from the fact that a lot of citizens here do not pay their bills at all and end up stiffing the vendor.

[mepoole]

For 13 years I have paid lawn, weed, shrub, tree company 3 months in advance AND I have paid inside/outside pest, lawn fertilization company 12 months in advance. Services have always been completed with excellent results. Guess it entirely depends on company.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by GOLFER54

I know a couple who lost 15,000 by paying in advance to a contractor a few years ago. No work was done, and these people were nowhere to be found. If it is a reputable company they will do the job and be paid at the end.

This example is apples and oranges. Paying for what I assume was contracting work vs paying for a lawn service isnt the same. Most, including myself pay in advance. If you dont trust himthat much then change people and get someone who will bill you. Youre not locked into this guy

[retiredguy123]

I use Massey, a large and dependable company. But, I only pay them after they have completed a service. They offer a 5 percent discount to pay a year in advance, but I would rather pay the extra 5 percent and not pay in advance. I would never pay any contractor for work they have not performed.

[noslices1]

Originally Posted by mtgjudge

Hi folks!

I just engaged a lawn service and he says he doesn't bill clients - but to just send the check for the month to his P.O. Box in advance. I thought this was odd as I used to having services rendered, being billed, and then paying for them. Is this payment arrangement peculiar to you, or is the customary in TV?

This person is being used by 2 different neighbors, so I reached out to him myself.

Ask the neighbors how long they have been using him and if they are happy with his services. My bank automatically sends a check every month for my lawn service.

[Villagesgal]

I pay mid month and it works well, never had a problem. He gets his money and I get great service.

[noslices1]

Originally Posted by mepoole

For 13 years I have paid lawn, weed, shrub, tree company 3 months in advance AND I have paid inside/outside pest, lawn fertilization company 12 months in advance. Services have always been completed with excellent results. Guess it entirely depends on company.

I hope your fertilizer company isn’t TruGreen. Had them for 9 months. Twice, the tech put an invoice in my door without doing ANY service. I let them come back the first time, but fired them the second.

[Dlbonivich]

My lawn man barely speaks English. I pay $50 a month to a PO Box. I let him decide when my lawn needs mowed. I do not see him as much in the winter months and I do not care. He comes so much in the summer it makes up for it. He is great. Does it with a push mower. I doubt he has time or resources to send me a Bill. If he quit tomorrow I would be out $50. Not worried

[thevee]

I have lived here for 17 yrs and have always paid my lawn guy 6 months in advance. Never had a problem. I am fortunate to find an honest and reliable guy. Having said that, paying in advance for services is generally not a good idea.

[Cassieb]

Run. Do NOT pay in advance, you would only be asking for trouble.

[eddie888]

Who is this guy and what is his number. Thank you

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by Cassieb

Run. Do NOT pay in advance, you would only be asking for trouble.

We're talking about monthly lawn service here. NOT a major job service where he's asking for thousands of dollars. I pay my guy(lives 2 blocks from me) first of the month by PayPal. He has about 75 customers, mostly local in Charlotte.

[KAM+6]

I send a check $60 first of the month in advance to my mowing guy. He uses a push mower, does a great job, and I appreciate having him. Again , he does not need to spend time and expense sending a bill.

Deans does pest and fertilizer. Auto pay when completed.