Lawn repair professionals near you

Some of the biggest benefits of professional lawn repair include:

• Expertise: Many professional lawn repair services know how to diagnose diseases and other issues, and they'll have the expertise to give your lawn exactly what it needs to flourish.

• Professional-grade products: Pros have access to professional-grade products, which often work much better than the consumer-grade products you can find at home improvement stores.

• Preventative maintenance: Professionals know how to keep your lawn in great shape so it requires less maintenance over time.

• Time savings: A professional lawn service will save you time while providing consistent care for your lawn.

• Healthy turf: Your lawn will likely look greener and healthier throughout the year, which may increase your home's curb appeal and value, along with your own enjoyment.

When looking for a professional for lawn repair, be sure to: 

• Verify their license and insurance: In some areas, lawn care services are required to carry occupational licenses to handle chemicals like fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. They should also carry liability insurance to cover accidents and damage. Requirements depend on your local area so be sure to do your research.

• Get several estimates: Quotes should include a breakdown of the issues with your lawn, the materials required to fix it, the number of labor hours to make the repairs and the costs for materials and labor.

• Read their reviews: Look for positive reviews and red flags. Be cautious of pros who push subscriptions or repeat visits without delivering noticeable improvements.

• Look at their portfolios: Your pro’s portfolio should have photos of their past work, preferably before-and-after images of lawns they’ve transformed. Look for examples of your specific problem (weeds, brown batches, etc.)

• Find out if they have warranties: Try to find pros who offer a warranty if your lawn doesn’t improve. Be sure to read the fine print. 

• Ask important questions: For example, ask if they can do a nutrient test on your turf. This way, you can feel confident they're using the right fertilizers for your lawn. 

For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page. 

The national average cost for lawn care ranges from around $99 to $282,* according to Thumbtack data. The type of treatment (fertilizing, seeding, aeration, etc.) your lawn requires will often impact prices. 

Factors that can impact costs include: 

• Lawn size: Larger lawns typically cost more to repair than smaller lawns.

• Condition: A lawn in poor condition will likely cost more to get it green and healthy again.

• Type of grass: Premium varieties of grass like zoysia or bentgrass often cost more to reseed and repair.

• Season: You may need to pay more for repair services in spring or summer when lawn care professionals are in peak demand.

• Additional services: Adding additional services to your lawn repair, like leaf removal, can increase the price.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

In many cases, a full lawn restoration typically includes:

• Soil analysis: Lawn restoration needs to start with a soil analysis so professionals can determine which soil amendments and fertilizers your lawn needs.

• Weed control: Lawn care professionals may apply an herbicide to eliminate weeds.

• Fertilization: Fertilization should happen at least twice a year to restore a bad lawn and keep it looking great.

• Aeration: If the soil is compacted, you'll likely need a pro to aerate it, which involves cutting small plugs out of the turf to soften the soil.

• Dethatching: The dethatching process involves removing the layer of dead organic material that has accumulated on top of the soil. When thatch becomes too thick, it prevents air, water and sunlight from reaching the soil.

• Overseeding: Overseeding can occur in spring or fall. It's the process of applying new seed to existing turf to get fresh, healthy grass growing.

• Pest control: Lawns with pest problems may require insecticides, traps or other treatments to remove pests.

• Lawn renovation: In very severe cases, professionals may restore a bad lawn by essentially starting over. They'll strip the turf back to bare soil, then either install sod or plant new grass seed.

Keeping a lawn lush and green requires consistent mowing, weeding, watering, fertilizing and more. If your lawn is particularly large, it may make sense to hire a full-service lawn care provider. Whether you take a DIY approach or bring in the experts, maintaining your lawn requires a range of tasks.

Plan to mow the lawn often, allowing it stay longer than may seem convenient — longer grass is healthier grass. The general rule is to cut off no more than a third of the grass blade. This helps prevent damage to the lawn as well as keeping weeds from taking root. It’s also important to remove any weeds, then prevent new ones from growing. In spring, consider spraying a pre-emergent herbicide on your lawn to prevent crabgrass and other types of weeds from sprouting from seed. During other seasons, broadleaf weeds like dandelions can be pulled by hand or sprayed with weed killers. The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning, allowing the sun to help dry the grass. Make sure to thoroughly soak the lawn so that the water penetrates several inches into the ground.

Lawn care also requires feeding; look for a mixture of fast- and slow-release fertilizers that include nitrogen. Some lawns also benefit from aeration, which creates small holes to let air, water and nutrients penetrate the grass roots. Although most homeowners can manage these tasks on their own, a full-service lawn care company can handle them on a regular schedule, taking the guesswork out of maintaining a beautiful lawn.

The best time of year to repair a lawn depends on the type of grass you have and what the repair entails. 

It’s also important to understand what type of grass you have. In general, remember: 

• For cool-season grasses (e.g., fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass), the best time for lawn repair is typically early fall. The cooler temperatures and increased rainfall may help new grass establish before winter.

• For warm-season grasses (e.g., Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine), the ideal time for lawn repair is usually late spring to early summer, as warm soil temperatures can promote strong root growth.

Here are some common lawn problems and how professionals can help:

• Diagnosis and treatment: A professional lawn care service can diagnose and treat diseases like dollar spot, leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew, blight, mold and more.

• Weeds and crab grass: Professionals can apply herbicides and other treatments to eliminate weeds and crabgrass.

• Soil compaction and dethatching: Compacted soil and thick thatch buildup hinders root growth and plant development. Professionals can correct this by aerating your lawn and dethatching it.

• Bare spots: If your lawn is patchy or thin in places, professionals can reseed to help fill it in.

• Poor growth: Poor growth is often due to poor nutrition. Professionals can repair this issue by fertilizing your lawn with amendments best suited to the nutrient levels in your soil.

When contacting pros, give them as much detail about your lawn as possible.