What you're producing
A cut that follows your customer's instructions, with no scalped lawn and no uncut strips. Three things decide cut quality on every visit: height, pattern, and overlap.
Height follows what your customer told you. If they haven't said, cut higher rather than lower, since a cut that's too low scalps the lawn.
What good looks like
- Height. Follow what your customer told you, in their messages or under Customer notes when you tap View details on a recurring mowing job. If you're unsure before a first mow, message your customer in the app. Scalping means the cut was too low, so raise your deck on that yard from the next visit.
- View details. On a recurring mowing job, View details opens a sheet with Customer notes (special instructions and blowing clippings), Riding mower restrictions, and Grass length preference when the customer set one. Most customers haven't set a preference, so follow their notes and messages.
- Special requests. A special instruction on the job, a message from the customer, a request left at the property, or a request Pro Support makes you aware of. The app won't necessarily show every request, so you'll need to remember them and make sure each one fits within the scope of the service you're providing.
- Long grass. Clear as much as you can without damaging the lawn. Take plenty of before and after photos, and if the grass is still long when you finish, message the customer so they know what to expect next. The goal is a fully cut lawn in one service, but that isn't always possible.
- Pattern. Alternate your mowing direction every visit (for example horizontal, then vertical or diagonal, then alternate again) to prevent soil compaction and grass lean.
- Overlap. Overlap every pass so no strip is left uncut. Finish with a perimeter pass to clean up turn marks.
Common mistakes
Cutting too short. Scalping exposes roots and soil, and can leave a lawn visibly damaged for weeks. It's one of the most common causes of customer disputes and property-damage claims.
Not sure what height to cut. Cut higher rather than risk scalping, and adjust on the next visit. Before a first mow with no instructions, message your customer in the app.
A customer asks for a cut low enough to scalp. Mow it short, but not so low it scalps the lawn, since cutting down to the dirt damages it. Message your customer so they know what to expect.
Check your work
- Set your deck to what your customer told you. Without that, cut higher rather than lower.
- Check View details on a recurring mowing job (one-time mows don't show these notes) for Customer notes and a Grass length preference if the customer set one. If there are special requests for this property, take them into account and make sure they fit within the scope of the service. Looking for the special requests before mowing is recommended, not required.
- Mow using a pattern different from your last visit at this property.
- Overlap each pass so no strip is left uncut.
- Maintain a consistent pace throughout the mow.
- Finish with a perimeter pass to clean up turn marks or uneven ends.
Following these standards consistently reduces scalping complaints and property-damage claims tied to mowing.
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