Whether a landscaper pulls weeds depends entirely on the specific service agreement or contract purchased by the client, as professional services are not standardized. Landscaping companies offer a spectrum of maintenance plans, from basic lawn care to comprehensive, full-service gardening. The level of weed management is tied directly to the cost and scope of the chosen plan. The expectation that all landscaping services automatically include manual weeding is a common misconception, as efficiency and labor costs heavily influence the methods used.
Manual Weeding in Standard Landscape Maintenance
Manual weed pulling is generally a separate service from basic maintenance packages, which include tasks like mowing, edging, and blowing. Standard lawn care contracts focus on turf maintenance and typically exclude detailed work in garden beds or paved areas. Manual labor is time-intensive and less appealing to companies operating on fixed-rate contracts. Professional weed pulling is often reserved for higher-tier, specialized agreements, such as “full-service gardening” or “estate maintenance” packages.
Manual weeding is often performed due to client preference for chemical-free methods or for weeds too close to desirable plants for safe herbicide application. Landscapers may hand-pull large weeds or those nestled within the canopy of shrubs where a spray could cause damage. Because manual pulling is highly labor-intensive, it is significantly more expensive for the client, with professional rates ranging from $35 to $140 per hour.
Professional Chemical and Preventative Weed Control
Landscapers frequently prefer chemical and preventative strategies over manual removal due to greater efficiency and long-term control. Herbicides address weed issues more quickly and across larger areas than hand-pulling, which is a major factor in cost-effective service delivery. This chemical approach involves two main types of treatments: pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides.
Pre-emergent herbicides are applied before weed seeds germinate, creating a barrier that inhibits the sprouting process for specific weeds like crabgrass. Post-emergent herbicides are applied directly to existing weeds, with systemic varieties penetrating to the root to prevent regrowth. Professionals also combine these treatments with cultural methods, such as applying a thick layer of organic mulch, which acts as a physical barrier to suppress germination. This integrated approach targets weeds at different stages of their life cycle, offering more comprehensive management.
Service Agreements and Billing Structures
The inclusion of weed control is a direct result of the financial structure of the service agreement. Fixed-rate contracts, common for routine lawn maintenance, favor efficient methods to maintain profitability, usually meaning chemical applications rather than costly manual labor. If a client requests manual pulling, the service is more likely to be billed hourly, which accurately covers the increased time and labor required.
The scope of work must be clearly defined in the contract, especially the distinction between turf and garden bed areas. A contract for lawn care may include broadleaf weed control for the grass, but it will not cover detailed weeding in ornamental beds unless specified. Clients purchasing a comprehensive maintenance package will have defined weed control included. Those with basic service agreements should expect to pay an additional fee for any specialized weed removal.