TruGreen vs. Lawn Doctor - How to Choose & Which is Better

Written by Ivy

This article will compare TruGreen to. To get the most for your money when choosing a lawn service, Lawn Doctor also offers advice on what to take into account.

TruGreen Vs. Lawn Doctor: Fast Facts

Fast Fact

TruGreen

Lawn Doctor

States available

48 states

40 states

Frequency of service

Quarterly

Biannually, quarterly, or weekly options

Service guarantee

Return as often as necessary to guarantee satisfaction on any TruGreen plan

Will return to reapply lawn treatments or refund the cost of the application

Customer service weekend availability

Limited hours on Saturdays, not available on Sundays

No

Mobile app

Yes

No

TruGreen Vs. Lawn Doctor

There are franchises for Lawn Doctor all over the country. Each franchise is owned and managed by someone different. Although every franchise may have the same logo on the front, this does not mean that their policies and procedures are the same.

Every location and every division of Green Lawn Fertilizing adhere to the same policy. Every single technician goes through the same rigorous training to ensure they are giving customers the proper care the Green Lawn way. Every location strives to deliver exceptional customer service in addition to having the greenest, lushest lawn on the block. Simply let us know if you're dissatisfied with a service and we'll send a technician out at no cost to you.

Trugreen Reviews

"My service technician spent a lot of time going over all the specifics of my upcoming services with me. I felt comfortable trusting True Green because of the way he described his work and how to care for my lawn. How can I not give this young man a chance if he can speak so highly of his services? They have been doing an amazing job of getting my lawn the way I want it and also keeping the pest away with the mosquito defense." —Elaine C. via Google Reviews

"The improvements to our lawn since beginning service have really impressed me. The appearance has noticeably improved, and weeds are quickly becoming a thing of the past. We've found the cost to be comparable to purchasing fertilizer from the big box stores, but we don't have to spend the time trying to spread and get the settings right and have the right equipment. Secondly, our Tru-Green tech is friendly, knowledgeable and is teaching us what we need to do to make sure we get the best results. So glad we made the decision to go [with] TruGreen!" —Laurel C. via Google Reviews

"They couldn't perform the treatment because new sod was installed in December. Only dry fertilizer was spread. After treatment, I really didn't see that much fertilizer on the ground, just some on the sidewalks. Since I did pay for more than what I received, I'm confident that the treatment was of a high standard." —Glen K. via Google Reviews

Lawn Doctor Reviews

"I reviewed several companies offering these services and went with Lawn Doctor, and I am very glad that I did. Starting with the office staff, they always answer the phone! These days, that is already a huge plus. Every time they visit, the technicians leave a report outlining what they discovered, what they fixed, and what I should do to make the most of the service. Compared to when I was doing all the work myself, the lawn looks better than it ever has." —Jim F. via Google Reviews

"We called Lawn Doctor 3 years ago to help us with an absolute disaster of a lawn. A consultant came out, and we worked out a strategy to best fit our needs. We saw the results soon after implementation and stopped being embarrassed by our lawn! We have had Lawn Doctor take care of our lawn ever since and can always rely on them to make sure our lawn is looking great." —Alex D. via Google Reviews

"When they first started, I had fewer weeds. They planted twice, but my backyard hasn't seen much growth. I irrigated heavily for two months. [It's difficult to tell how much new grass growth there is because my lawn, while filled in at the front, is also covered in chickweed and dandelion flowers." —Roger K. via Google Reviews

TruGreen Vs. Lawn Doctor

Service Programs

TruGreen and Lawn Doctor offer stand-alone treatment options and ongoing lawn care programs that are remarkably similar when compared when comparing their respective service offerings to those of Lawn Doctor. The fact that TruGreen's a la carte services come with a guarantee while Lawn Doctor's do not may be the most significant distinction between the two. Please take note that depending on your location and the local office you use, the services listed here may differ slightly.

TruGreen Service Programs

TruGreen offers a wide range of á la carte options in addition to a number of service plans for lawn treatment and pest control services. Plans and additional services from TruGreen include these:

  • Soil amendment and analysis: This service adjusts the pH of your lawn so that it is ideal for grass growth, and is available either in conjunction with a TruGreen plan or on its own.
  • Tree and shrub care: For seasonal protection, disease and pest prevention, and overall health, this service keeps your foliage full.
  • Grub control and prevention: Using this service will help you avoid an infestation as well as the unsightly damage that grubs can cause.
  • Mosquito control and defense: The business provides a program to get rid of and prevent mosquito infestations using a strong spray that typically starts working in less than 24 hours. Additionally, this service may be combined with individualized tick management.
  • Perimeter pest control: TruGreen can apply a granular treatment along your home's exterior edges to ward off wasps, spiders, and other seasonal pests. Seasonal variations in pest treatment are possible.
  • Lawn aeration: Spike or core aeration loosens tightly compacted soil, allowing roots to spread out and nutrients to permeate the soil.
  • TruLawn care annual plans: There are several choices available from the provider. Lawn fertilization, preemergent weed control, and targeted weed control are all included in TruMaintenance, and TruHealth also offers grub control and prevention. TruComplete tacks on overseeding and aeration, and TruSignature provides all these treatments along with top-of-the-line tree and shrub care. Each of these lawn care programs calls for several visits spread out over the course of the growing season.

Lawn Doctor Service Programs

The Lawn Doctor service programs offer homeowners stand-alone and recurring options for a healthy lawn, providing various professional lawn care options:

  • Lawn fertilization: Lawn Doctor provides specialized lawn fertilization plans to feed a variety of grasses, with options for enriched fertilizer and slow-release fertilization.
  • Seeding and aeration: As well as advice on seed mixture, the provider of lawn care services also offers power seeding for thicker grass. The company often recommends aeration in combination with this service.
  • Tree and shrub care: After carefully examining your lawn's trees and shrubs, Lawn Doctor applies fertilization, insect treatments, and disease treatments to maintain healthy plants.
  • Mosquito control: Through routine applications during mosquito season, Lawn Doctor's mosquito control program seeks to eliminate existing mosquitoes, manage any infestations, and keep a yard free of these pests. For one-time insect control, this lawn care company also provides special event sprays.
  • Tick control: Lawn Doctor customizes its tick treatments based on the requirements of each yard and the preferences of the homeowner. A professional will assist you in identifying potential areas of concern before treating them and providing ongoing maintenance applications.
  • Annual programs: Options for annual plans include a program for fertilization and weed control, traditional mosquito control, natural mosquito control, and tick control. Additionally, yearly packages combining these services are offered. The services included in each of Lawn Doctor's annual plans are spread out over the course of the pest or lawn season.

TruGreen Vs. Lawn Doctor

Service Pricing

Despite the fact that the services provided are quite similar, we discovered that TruGreen's pricing was more affordable than Lawn Doctor's nationwide. Sample quotes for homes with four bedrooms and a half-acre lawn were obtained. Keep in mind that the size of your lawn and the services you select can have a big impact on your cost when looking at the pricing averages below.

TruGreen Service Pricing

Based on our research on lawns across the United States, the typical TruGreen customer will pay between $690 and $1,700 per year for a TruGreen plan, with TruMaintenance typically being the most affordable choice and TruSignature's comprehensive coverage costing more. Each year, aeration services typically cost between $141 and $300, while mosquito services can run between $449 and $532.

Lawn Doctor Service Pricing

We discovered that Lawn Doctor customers will pay between $928 and $2,900 per year for a Lawn Doctor plan based on our research on yards across the country. The least expensive option is a straightforward fertilizer and weed control package, whereas adding aeration and power seeding will significantly raise the cost. Aeration services typically cost between $150 and $350, and mosquito control averages between $500 and $725 each year.

Is TruGreen Worth the Money?

TruGreen is the biggest company of its kind in the US and has established a reputation as the go-to source for lawn care advice. The business provides reasonably priced lawn management services by fusing clever marketing with science.

Even though TruGreen is a well-known national brand, it collaborates with local specialists who are familiar with the soil and climate of a given region. As a result, each lawn owner is guaranteed to get care and management services that are tailored to the turf type on their lawn. They offer their services in all 50 states.

More than any of its rivals, TruGreen offers five different subscription packages. You receive weed control, fertilization, and specialized lawn care, such as lime treatment and pH balancing, under the basic plan. Aeration, overseeding, and tree and shrub maintenance are some of the additional plans.

A local expert in lawn care will test the soil and evaluate the state of your lawn when you enroll in any of the plans. They will outline a strategy for maintaining your lawn that includes stopping by your home every 4 to 6 weeks.

You'll get a rundown of the upkeep and management tasks completed on your lawn following each visit. Additionally, you'll receive advice on turf care and maintenance.

Since it has been in business for a while and has a large customer base across the country, TruGreen has the financial capacity to offer a range of lawn care services that might be beyond the means of rival companies.

The reputation of TruGreen is positive all around. The fact that many lawn owners are content to entrust them with the upkeep of their yards is indicative of the caliber of their work. Some people might think the lawn plans are pricey, but if you're looking for a reputable company with nationwide service who offers science-based lawn care service, TruGreen is priceless.

TruGreen and Lawn Doctor FAQs

Is Lawn Doctor the Same as TruGreen?

Lawn Doctor and TruGreen are two different lawn care services that are available for fertilization, weed control, and other yard treatments; they are not interchangeable. TruGreen is available in 48 states, while Lawn Doctor is available in 40 states. Our top pick for lawns is TruGreen because it has the best guarantees, service, and pricing out of all the service plans, third-party reviews, and secret shopping for quotes we looked into across the country.

How Much Does Lawn Doctor Cost?

We found that Lawn Doctor's lawn plans cost between $928 and $2,900 per year. Your price will, however, depend on the number of services you select and the size of your lawn. The cost of plans to control mosquitoes or other perimeter pests can range from $312 to $750 annually.

Do You Need a Lawn Care Company to Use TruGreen?

TruGreen offers a variety of lawn care services, such as fertilization, preemergent weed control, seeding, and more, but if you want to get rid of your lawnmower and do your own lawn maintenance, you might need to hire a different landscaping business. However, TruGreen's technicians can provide advice on routine lawn care so that hiring a specialist landscaper is not necessary.

Does TruGreen Offer Natural Lawn Care?

Many TruGreen locations also offer TruNatural, an environmentally friendly lawn care service. This plan also includes natural weed control and fertilizer.

Our Conclusion

Lawn Doctor provides a number of service plans in 38 states, but TruGreen outperforms them with five annual plans and accessibility in 49 states. While Lawn Doctor offers more a la carte services, TruGreen offers some of those very services bundled into its annual plans. Lawn Doctor does not lay its plans out as clearly online, so it's a little bit harder to know what you're signing up for. Additionally, TruGreen places a high value on customer service and provides a thorough FAQs page, an online chat feature, and a mobile app.