I think that most people do it for many of the same reasons that they have others do other type of work for them:

(1) They don't want to do the job themselves, or
(2) They think a service can do it better or has more expertise, or
(3) They believe that services have access to solutions that the homeowner doesn't have access to.

I'm looking to see what a customer will "Benefit" from hiring a service. I do landscaping and would like to know what others feel are Benefits of using someone like myself.

I hired a service the summer my leg was in a cast from my toes to my hip. Several neighbors use a service because they don't like to do the yard work and it gives them some extra free time.

I would think that there might be a niche (at the high-end, no less) for someone that would actually work with the homeowner to do what the homeowner wants, not just the "we know better" mass-production lawn service. I would give up the mowing and some of the landscaping if somebody could show me that they would cut the lawn to my specifications instead of just what makes sense for them. I'd pay extra so that I'd get to spend more time on the soil and the actual grass that I'm growing. I can't even find someone willing to adjust the mower height when they arrive at my property. It's a "how-quick-can-I-be-out-of-here" business, it seems.

I started using a lawn service after having some fungus problems a few years ago. Ive always treated my own lawn with Scotts products from Home Depot but found it was cheaper for me to have the service apply the right products for my lawn. They always send the same applicator and he is very friendly and takes the time to talk to me about my current lawn conditions and what he will recommend for the next treatment. I love working on my lawn and do miss applying fertilizer, but I do believe I have found a good service at the right price. My lawn is approximately 130x200 so it takes me a lot of product to cover. They do it for $62.00 per application. The only option I choose is for their grub control in July and every other year a aeration service and overseeding in late Sept/early Oct. I do tend to overseed some spots in late February and apply an organic material during the year myself. I dont water reguarly and I am a picky person when it comes to my lawn, but on a scale of 1-10, Id say my front lawn (older lawn) is a 7 and back lawn (3yr old lawn) is a 9.

I guess you deserve "props" for coming to this site to ask that question. Clearly, the folks who frequent this site (me) do so, because we enjoy taking care of our own property (lawns and other). I have used services in the past, when I was young and single...didn't really care. Now that I do care, I read (this forum and ohters), research and love taking care of my landscape. Their is no-way a service could do the same...much less for any where near what it costs me. Plus...it is great exercise.

I think wrager hit the nail on the head.

Most of the folks who frequent this site are fairly obsessed with their yards. They're also the least likely to use a service, in my opinion.

Most of the people I know who use those services are people who want a lawn that is just good enough that it doesn't look bad.

lawnpride, there are two groups.

1. They who want the lawn cut to keep the Code Enforcement people out of their way. They are likely to ask you "Why should I pay you $100 a month when I can get the neighbour's son to do it at $5 per cut?" Do not even attempt to answer.
2. They who want someone to do the work to the most rigorous standards but will pay you well for so doing. Delight such a client and give thanks for this miracle that has come your way. This is the type of client who will make you attend the update classes, get and keep your certifications and generally associate with people who know more than you do.
   There is a third group. They who do not know (much), want to learn and are willing to pay for the experience. They are good clients who can become loyal clients but be aware that,some of the time, you will be working your way out of a job with them.
   But all of them want a service that is prompt, reliable and honest though not necessarily in that order.