When one lawn care company offers to match another company’s price, it sounds like an easy win. Why wouldn’t you want to pay less for the exact same service? The issue is that two lawn care companies can offer the same treatments while providing completely different products, technician training, guarantees, and service quality.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we’ve spent the past 30 years providing premium lawn care services at competitive prices to homeowners in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Northern Kentucky. While costs across the industry have changed over time, we’ve remained committed to delivering exceptional value without compromising the quality of our services.
We’re here to help you understand price matching, when it benefits you, when it doesn’t, and the questions you should ask before accepting a lower price.
Quick Answer: Price matching may be beneficial when two companies offer truly comparable services or when you have a preferred provider but receive a lower quote elsewhere. However, price matching can become less valuable if it results in fewer guarantees, additional service fees, or a program that does not include the same level of care. Before deciding if a price match is the right choice, consider what is included in the program, how many visits are provided, the company’s licensing and technician training, the products being used, and whether guarantees or free service calls are included.
In this article:
Price matching in lawn care means matching a competitor’s offer and potentially providing a better value for the customer through factors such as:
|
Price Matching Approach |
What it Means |
Example |
|
Annual Cost |
Compares the total yearly cost of a lawn care program with a competitor’s yearly cost. Instead of matching a single visit or treatment, the company matches the homeowner’s overall annual investment. |
A company may advertise a $400 annual program, but if Grub Control and Crabgrass Control are add-ons, the final cost could exceed a $600 program that already includes those services and more. |
|
Treatment Cost |
Matches the price of an individual lawn care service, such as a fertilizer application, weed control treatment, or pest control service. This focuses on a specific visit rather than the entire program. |
A company may match the price of a competitor’s individual fertilizer or weed control treatment without matching the full annual program. |
|
Number of Treatments |
Compares the number of service visits included in each lawn care program. A company may match a competitor by providing the same number of treatments throughout the season. |
Two programs may both include six treatments, but the services included in each treatment may differ. |
|
Matching Only Advertised Costs |
Matches prices that are publicly advertised, such as website pricing, promotional offers, or published service rates. These offers typically do not include personalized pricing. |
A company may match a competitor’s advertised $400 program, but not a custom quote created specifically for a single homeowner’s property. |
|
Matching After Receiving a Quote |
Matches a competitor’s price after a homeowner receives a personalized quote. This allows the company to compare the exact services, treatments, and pricing included. |
A homeowner provides a competitor’s quote, allowing the company to compare the services and total investment before determining whether it can match the offer. |
Price matching can be difficult because lawn care programs can vary widely. While two companies may offer "lawn care," the treatments included, products applied, and overall quality of service are often very different, making it difficult to compare prices on an apples-to-apples basis.
Key differences in lawn care treatments could be:
|
Factor |
Why it Affects Price Matching |
|
Number of Applications |
One company may provide five visits per year while another includes six or more. More applications typically mean more products, labor, and ongoing care. |
|
Fertilizer Quality |
Not all fertilizers are created equal. Premium, custom-blended, or slow-release fertilizers generally cost more than basic fertilizer products but often provide better long-term results. |
|
Technician Experience |
Companies that invest in licensed, highly trained technicians may charge more than those using less experienced staff. Expertise can make a significant difference in diagnosing problems and applying treatments correctly. |
|
Guarantees |
Service guarantees vary by company. A program backed by free service calls or a satisfaction guarantee often provides greater value than one with no guarantee. |
|
What’s Included |
Not all lawn care programs include the same services, which is why comparing what's included is just as important as comparing the price. |
Two lawn care programs can have nearly identical prices while offering completely different treatments, products, and overall value. This is why price matching isn't always possible or an accurate comparison.
In some cases, price matching can be a valuable way to save money without sacrificing quality.
These instances could be:
Price matching makes the most sense when two lawn care programs are actually comparable. That means they include the same number of visits, similar products, the same treatments, and an equivalent guarantee. When you're comparing two nearly identical programs, it's much easier to determine whether one company is simply offering a better price for the same level of service.
Sometimes you've already decided which company you'd rather work with because of their reputation, customer service, communication, or guarantee, but another provider has offered a lower written quote. In these situations, price matching may allow you to get the company you trust at a price that's closer to your budget, provided the services being compared are equivalent.
While price matching can be beneficial, it can also have unintended downsides that may end up costing you more over time. Some of the risks include:
In some cases, a lawn care company may match only the base price of a competitor's program without including all of the same services. While the upfront price may appear lower, you could end up paying extra for treatments that were included in the original quote, making the total cost higher over time.
Some companies may only offer a price match by removing or limiting their guarantee. While the lower price may seem like a good deal upfront, you could end up paying for additional service calls or re-treatments if problems arise. A reliable guarantee ensures you're getting long-term value, not just a lower upfront price.
Whether a lawn care company offers price matching depends on its policies and the value it includes in its programs. Some companies aren't willing to reduce prices if it means compromising the quality or scope of their service.
A lawn care company may decide not to offer price matching for the following reasons:
|
Reason |
What it Means |
|
They use premium products |
Some companies use higher-quality fertilizers, weed control products, or specialty treatments that cost more than standard products. Because their costs are higher, they may choose not to match a lower-priced quote. |
|
They invest more in technician training |
Companies that invest in additional certifications, ongoing education, and technician training often have higher prices. As a result, they may price their services to reflect that investment rather than lowering prices to match competitors. |
|
They include more services |
Two lawn care programs with similar prices may include different treatments, service calls, or guarantees. If a company includes additional value in their program, they may not be willing to match the price of a more basic offering. |
|
They offer strong guarantees |
Companies that provide service guarantees, free re-treatments, or satisfaction policies often build those costs into their pricing. As a result, they may choose not to reduce prices through price matching. |
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we do not offer price matching for our services. Our pricing reflects the products we use, the training and licensing of our technicians, and the treatments and service guarantees included in our programs. Because each lawn care program can vary in what's included, we focus on providing consistent, high-quality service rather than matching another company's price.
Rather than focusing on whether a company will match another company's price, ask questions that help you understand the value of its program. Learning what's included, the quality of the treatments, and the expertise behind the service can help you decide whether a lower price is worth any potential trade-offs in treatment quality or long-term results.
Questions you can ask are:
Asking these questions can help you determine whether the price is fair based on what's included in the program. It also makes it easier to compare whether another company offers similar services at a lower price.
Price matching isn't necessarily good or bad. What's more important is determining whether two lawn care programs provide the same level of value, quality, and service rather than just focusing on the price.
If you're comparing lawn care quotes and aren't sure whether they're truly equivalent, we'd be happy to walk through them with you. Even if you don't choose us, we'll help you understand exactly what you're paying for so you can make an informed decision. Reach us at 513-697-9090.
To receive a personalized quote from us, complete a quick form on our website, and one of our Turf & Tree Specialists will contact you to discuss your property's needs and recommend the right program for you, your goals, and your budget.
What is included in the price of Oasis Turf & Tree’s lawn care programs?
All Oasis Turf & Tree lawn care programs include Oasis Soil Health Bionutrition, Preemergent Crabgrass Control, Nutsedge Control, Free Service Calls, Specialized Weed Control for Tough Weeds, Free Guaranteed Grub Control, Free Guaranteed Surface Insect Control, and Free Crabgrass Control Booster.
Does Oasis Turf & Tree offer payment options?
Yes, Oasis Turf & Tree offers flexible payment options, allowing customers to either pay for the full year upfront or pay per treatment, depending on their preference.
Does Oasis Turf & Tree offer discounts for paying upfront?
Yes, Oasis Turf & Tree offers a 5% discount for paying upfront.
Does Oasis Turf & Tree require a contract?
No. Oasis does not require long-term contracts. With flexible program options and no long-term commitment, you can cancel whenever you'd like. Still, our average customer chooses to stay with us for four years.