Most lawn care arrangements start with a handshake and a text message. That works until something goes wrong: a rock goes through a window, a customer disputes a bill for a week it rained, or someone stops paying in August and says they cancelled in June. A short written service agreement prevents most of these problems. This checklist covers what to put in it.
This is a planning checklist, not legal advice. Contract, consumer protection and automatic renewal rules vary by state, so have a local attorney or your state’s small business resources review your final agreement.
Why bother with an agreement?
- It sets expectations before the first mow, not after a complaint.
- It makes seasonal and monthly billing easier to explain.
- It shows customers you run a real business, which supports better prices.
- It gives you something to point to when there is a disagreement.
It does not need to be long. Many lawn businesses use one or two pages in plain language.
The checklist
1. The parties and the property
- Your legal business name and contact details
- Customer name, billing address and service address
- Who can approve extra work, if more than one person lives there or it is a rental
2. What is included in each visit
- Mowing, string trimming, edging and blowing hard surfaces, or whichever you include
- Which areas: front, back, side yards, inside fenced areas, ditches or slopes
- Whether clippings are mulched, bagged or hauled
3. What is not included
List the extras that are quoted separately: cleanups, leaf removal, mulch, hedge trimming, aeration, overseeding, and fertilizer or weed control. If you do not hold any license your state requires for applying fertilizer or pesticides, say clearly that you do not provide those services.
4. Frequency and season
- Weekly, biweekly or as needed, and whether it shifts in slow-growth months
- Approximate season start and end, and how you decide the exact dates
- Usual service day, and that it may change for weather or route changes
5. Price and how it is calculated
State whether the price is per visit, per month or per season, and what it covers. If you bill a flat monthly amount, explain that it averages the season, so some months have more visits than others. Include any fuel or travel surcharge and how price changes for the next season will be communicated. Our lawn mowing pricing guide covers per-cut versus monthly pricing.
6. Payment terms
- When payment is due, for example on receipt or at the start of each month
- Accepted payment methods, and whether a card is kept on file
- What happens with late payments, such as pausing service; late fee rules vary by state
7. Weather and skipped visits
Explain what happens when it rains, during drought when grass is dormant, or after storms. Will you reschedule, skip, or credit the visit? This is one of the most common sources of billing disputes, so be specific.
8. Customer responsibilities
- Clear toys, hoses, dog waste and debris before service days
- Unlock gates and secure pets
- Mark sprinkler heads, invisible fence lines, low wires and hidden hazards
9. Damage and reporting
Describe how customers should report damage, and within what time frame. Note how you handle damage caused by unmarked hazards. Mention that you carry liability insurance if you do, and check with your insurer about what the agreement should say on this point.
10. Access and safety
State that you may skip areas that are unsafe, such as steep wet slopes or aggressive animals, and that a visit may be charged if you arrive and cannot access the property.
11. Term, renewal and cancellation
- Whether the agreement covers one season or continues until cancelled
- How much notice either side needs to give to cancel, and how
- How the final bill is handled
Many states have specific rules about automatic renewals and recurring charges, so check yours before including auto-renewal.
12. Communication and photos
How you will notify customers of schedule changes, and whether you may photograph the property for your records or marketing. Asking permission for marketing photos is good practice.
13. Signatures and date
A signature, or a recorded online acceptance, plus a date. Keep a copy for every customer.
Keep it friendly
An agreement does not have to sound like a lawsuit. Use plain headings and short sentences. Many lawn businesses send it with the quote, explain the key points in a sentence or two, and let customers accept online. Customers rarely object to clear terms. They object to surprises.
Get agreement and quote templates with the kit
Our lawn care starter kit includes quote requests with lot size, weekly and biweekly plan pages, and a plain-English guide to registering your business. We build it once 25 people vote for it, and voters get 20% off at launch. Vote for the lawn care kit.
This is general information, not legal advice. Contract, licensing and consumer rules vary by state and city. Have your agreement reviewed by a local attorney or your state’s small business development center.
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