As the always sweltering Tucson summer arrives, homeowners may be considering hiring a service to rejuvenate lawns or take care of routine chores like mowing, fertilizing and trimming in the coming months.

Hiring a lawn service can ease the burdens of caring for your yard.  To avoid headaches or misunderstandings, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona advises consumers to make sure you and the lawn service have clear, written expectations for what the company will provide for the agreed-upon fees.

“A lush, green lawn can be a source of pride for homeowners,” said Kim States, BBB President. “But if a lawn service fails to mow regularly, leaves a mess or doesn’t do what the homeowner expected, disagreements and complaints often arise. Consumers should get a clear understanding of what services are provided and how much the service will cost in advance.”

One option many southern Arizona consumers may be considering is installing artificial turf in lieu of natural grass. Artificial turf has several advantages over natural grass, but there are also some things consumers should watch out for before having it installed.

“Most of my customers who request estimates from us say that they don’t have time to maintain grass,” said Gabriel Lobato, owner of La Cholla Landscaping in Oro Valley. “You also don’t have the same issues with allergies and wasted water that you get with natural turf.”

When receiving an estimate for artificial turf Lobato warns that some contractors may try to lower their bid by leaving out crucial aspects of the installation process.

“People should really be aware of proper installation,” Lobato told BBB. “Before installation you have to lay down a base of crushed gravel; it gives the turf a smoother feel, and rain passes through it much better.”

Lobato said to also watch out for toxic in-fills, which contractors place in the turf to give it a more realistic look and to safeguard it from the elements. Some in-fills may have chemicals that can seep into (more…)

For the past 5 years, Gabe Lobato, owner of La Cholla Landscaping, Inc. has been turning landscaping into an art, and leaving a trail of satisfied customers. Along the way, he’s earned a multitude of certifications, a reputation for providing top-notch service, and has shown an unflinching dedication to ethics in the marketplace.

BBB met with Gabe in Oro Valley, to find out how he got into landscaping, and to learn more about his philosophies on business and customer service.

La Cholla Landscaping has been a BBB Accredited Business since 2007, and currently boasts an ‘A’ rating with BBB.