GreenPal vs Google: Which Finds Better Lawn Care?

GreenPal vs. Google: Which is better for lawn care?

Finding lawn care services for the first time can be a real challenge. It’s tough to know where to turn, and many feel lost in the search. In today’s day and age, everyone uses the internet to find qualified lawn care pros, but there are quite a few different options to consider.

A common dilemma that people face is whether to use lawn care apps like GreenPal or to search the old-fashioned way with Google. We’re here to give you an honest breakdown of the benefits of each and when you might consider one over the other. 

image

Why do homeowners have difficulty finding qualified lawn care professionals?

It should be easy enough to find someone to mow your lawn, right? Unfortunately, the good ‘ol days of hiring a neighborhood kid for $5 are mostly over. Homeowners have been finding it increasingly difficult to source good help for their lawns, and most have turned to established, local lawn care professionals instead.

But finding a qualified lawn care company is extremely difficult. You have to deal with many uncertainties, such as:

• The quality of their work

• The expense of the services

• Whether they have availability

• Whether or not they’re reliable

• Their reputation 

Most homeowners feel like they’re taking a chance every time they hire a new yard care company. Most of the time, they are.

Pros and cons of using GreenPal

The “Uber” of lawn care, GreenPal connects homeowners with local lawn mowing professionals in their area. It’s available online at yourgreenpal.com and as a mobile app. As the leading lawn mowing service marketplace, GreenPal provides countless benefits that other apps do not. At the same time, there are situations where it’s not always right for everyone.

Pros

The biggest benefit that GreenPal provides is convenience. All a homeowner has to do is enter their address and the details of their property to get an assortment of local quotes. No credit card information is required until a service is fully booked. This lets homeowners shop around at their leisure with just a few clicks. There’s no commitment to simply look.

Besides this benefit, other pros include:

• Affordability: Because a homeowner can compare multiple quotes, they have immense control over how much they pay. It’s easy to find someone who suits their budget. On average, lawn mowing costs on GreenPal are $25-$45 for a normal yard. Other apps like LawnStarter can be 50-80% more expensive for the same monthly services. 

• Easy Communication: A homeowner doesn’t have to worry about calling a landscaper's phone number, hoping that they get an answer. Messaging occurs right on the GreenPal app, making it simple to set up scheduled mowings.

• Schedule Services: Homeowners can automatically decide whether they want their lawn to be mowed weekly or bi-weekly. Once this is established, no other maintenance is required. The pro will show up on time and complete the job.

• Confident Vetting: Every contractor on the platform has reviews and a portfolio. It’s easy for a homeowner to distinguish between a qualified lawn maintenance professional and an inexperienced one.

image

Cons

There are situations where GreenPal isn’t right for every homeowner. Some may not feel confident using a smartphone and navigating a mobile app. While the interface is intuitive, some people simply prefer to have a phone call or get a recommendation from a friend.

GreenPal is also mostly used for residential yard work. Commercial business owners may prefer to hire a larger, corporate landscaping company. People with specialized yard maintenance needs, such as complex hardscaping and intricate mowing patterns, may need more specific services. However, basic add-ons like mulching and shrub pruning are still offered through GreenPal.

Finally, GreenPal does not offer one-time service dates. Most of the time, one-time mowing isn’t ideal for a homeowner anyway. It’s more expensive, harder to find available landscapers, and the job is often rushed.

Step-by-step for using GreenPal to find lawn care

1. Sign up for an account.

2. Post your lawn.

3. Get multiple bids from highly-vetted professionals in less than 24 hours.

4. Compare bids.

5. Schedule your service.

6. Your hired pro cuts your lawn, takes a photo, and automatically gets paid.

Pros and cons of using Google

You can still find qualified service providers on Google, it just takes a little more discretion, time, and money. Here are the situations where Google shines, and where it falls short.

Pros

Google is ideal for people who like to do it the “old-fashioned way.” You search for your services, and you’re provided with a large list of local lawn care businesses with varying reviews. Some people like calling a phone number and speaking directly to a company. Google is great for that. 

Another benefit is that you can find more established mowers in the area, such as landscaping teams. Large landscaping companies invest a lot of money into their marketing, so it’s easy to find them on Google. This is great for people with commercial grass-cutting needs who require a company that can handle large-scale mowing.

Cons

In most cases, using Google to find someone for new lawn mowing services is a disadvantage. Here’s why:

• It’s exhausting to call companies and it takes time out of the day.

• People are less likely to compare multiple quotes because of this inconvenience.

• Services are generally more expensive. Google is better for finding large companies that charge a lot for their services. GreenPal is better for finding small-time lawn pros.

• Getting a call back and finding someone available can be a long process, especially during the peak of summer.

• The top results on Google are paid ads. It’s tough to know who’s actually qualified and who just paid to show up at the top.

Step-by-step for using Google to find lawn care

1. Search for lawn care in your area.

2. Click on multiple websites.

3. Review their services to see if it matches your needs.

4. Find their phone number on the site.

5. Give them a call. If they don’t answer, leave a message.

6. Call other companies to find someone that answers.

7. Get a quote.

8. Call other companies to get more quotes. Compare.

9. Schedule a time with the company you choose. They might be booked out for a few weeks.

10. Be home when they arrive.

11. Pay in cash.

Local lawn care case studies: Is GreenPal or Google right for you?

With all of these pros and cons in mind, let’s break it down into some easy-to-understand case studies. We’ll look at three different hypothetical people, discuss their typical lawn care needs, and identify whether Google or GreenPal is better for them.

Stacy and Mike: Busy working parents

Stacy and her husband have two kids. Both of them work nine-to-five. Between their jobs, sports practices, and weekend commitments, they barely have time to sleep, let alone cut their grass. For them, GreenPal is the perfect solution because it gives them time back in their life. They don’t have to waste hours shopping around for a local landscaper, and they can schedule automatic, weekly service.

Jim: Local business owner

Jim owns a local steakhouse in town, a car wash, and a few multi-family properties. He needs a company that’s an expert in lawn care best practices. He needs them to be able to do it all, and fast. For him, a one-man operation isn’t going to cut it. He needs to hire a team of landscapers who can tackle one property after another, without disrupting the operation of his businesses. He also needs the flexibility to pay at the end of every month, rather than with each service. Finding a professional landscaping company on Google is probably his best option.

Gary: Retiree who loves to travel

Gary loves cutting his lawn and has done it himself for 40 years. But he’s retired, getting older, and lawn care is a bit more taxing on his body. Plus, he and his wife Cheryl take cruises, visit their out-of-state grandkids, and spend time at their vacation home. For them, it’s impossible to keep up with yard work, especially when they’re not home. They appreciate the convenience of being able to find an affordable, local person who can take care of it all for them.

Comparison chart: GreenPal app vs. Google search

Final verdict

Everyone’s lawn care needs are different. But overall, GreenPal is the least expensive, most convenient option for the large majority of people. It’s best for people who want the best deal on their yard work and who don’t want to spend hours calling around to local companies they find on Google.

While Google is generally much less convenient and more expensive, it’s good for people who aren’t interested in using an app or for people who have commercial and specialized mowing needs. 

Learn how GreenPal works today

Interested in saving time on your yard work search? Want to find the most affordable professionals in your area? GreenPal is the all-in-one solution. Post a job, compare bids, and schedule your mowing service for as soon as tomorrow. You only pay when the job is complete. Sign up today to start using the platform.