Aerating Thatching Co

Summary: If you want someone who knows what he's doing, takes pride in his work, and delivers results, this is the right guy. You just have to be patient. Background: We are new to America, and homeownership, having just moved here after living overseas in an apartment for most of our lives. We aren't at all familiar with lawns or how to care for the grass in this environment. The lawn in our new house was very problematic (and by problematic, I mean it was mostly dead). But, we wanted to get our hands dirty as lawn maintenance is currently new and exciting for us, so we didn't want to hire a full service land scaper. We just needed a bit of advice, and some help with aerating and thatching -- work that I really didn't want to do with hand tools. Good: Stewart clearly knows his work. he was professional, worked quick and answered all of the questions I had (and I had a lot!) about my lawn. He didn't up sell me on things I didn't need - he just came and did the necessary, did it well, and charged a fair price for his work. I grew up in a small, blue collar town, and I'm used to working with people who take pride in their work and focus on doing the right thing for the job. I feel that's what I got with Aerating/Thatching co. Bad: Stewart has a ton of business, and is incredibly busy. I imagine it's doubly h****** account of everyone calling for work all at the same time. As a result of this, he is super tough to get a hold of. It took > 2 weeks and a couple of tries before we connected. If you want someone who will call you back promptly, or have work that needs doing urgently, this is probably not the guy you're looking for.

He said the best way to reach him was online so I completed his online form. That was well over 1.5 weeks ago. I guess he doesn't need my business. A simple email response would have been nice. I don't give him long to stay in business if he needs to attract new customers.

He was on time and did a fast and thorough job. Very knowledgeable and friendly. We are new home owners and Stewart helped us make a plan to improve our lawn.

Stuart is a bit hard to get a hold of. But once he was scheduled, he was super prompt and very professional in completing the aerating, thatching and over-seeding. Very happy with the results.

Lack of communication seems to be a problem others have experienced as well. Filled out contact form on website early March. March 17 - Received and responded to questionnaire about project. April 2 -- Received April Newsletter, which included notice to use website to schedule service. I filled out the Contact Form again. May 6 -- Thanked me for my patience and offered two dates: May 10th and May 17th. I responded within 3 hours and chose May 10th. May 10 -- Stayed home all day. No show. That evening I sent email cancelling my request for services. Very frustrating.

Much better then expected. Even cleaned up.

Never called after I exchanged several emails with Stewart and he requested the best time to call to schedule the service.

I didn't have the chance to find out, he never responded.

Stewart was very professional, thoughtful and efficient. We won't see the results for a couple of weeks, but I know it will be beautiful. Definitely planning on having him back in the spring for aerating, overseeding, and lime/fertilizer.

He arrived on time. His work was as promised. My grass slowly came back to green and bare spots filled in. I highly recommend him for lawn repairs. I am looking forward for the thatching job to come in the fall. Jack

I have used them a few times and they always do a good job. The are very responsive to your questions and whenever you contact them.

I've been using Stewart since 2008 and value his professionalism and reasonable rates. He agreed to meet me on Sunday when we couldn't get a mutually agreed time to work during the week. He is professional, honest and charges a fair rate. For this treatment, he aerated and spread lime and recommended that he not lay down overseed since I had recently applied Weed&Feed. I trust him to give me the right amount of treatment and not too much.

I used the Aerating Thatching Co. web form to contact Stewart (the owner) to find out about getting an estimate for aerating our lawn. It took him about a week or so to respond, which really didn't surprise me as early Spring is an extremely busy time for this type of business. Once he contacted me, however, Stewart was able to stop by fairly quickly and provided his estimate, as well as suggestions on fertilizing and weed control, and when to consider thatching out all the moss I had killed in our lawn. He was very thorough and knowledgeable, and his quoted price was very reasonable. I had contacted other companies that provide this service, and Stewart's bid was at the lower end of them all. I wasn't ready to have him aerate on the day he came out to give me his estimate, even though he was prepared to do so. I needed to mark all the sprinkler heads with flags so he could avoid hitting them with his machines, and I hadn't yet turned the system on for the season. I asked him to call me in a few days to get on his schedule, and he agreed to do so. About a week later, he called and said he was in the area and could perform the service "in the next 20 minutes" if I wanted, so I agreed. He and one of his employees showed up in the pouring down rain and proceeded to thoroughly aerate the entire lawn, using two machines. It took them about 40 minutes or so, after which Stewart reiterated his suggestions for thatching, etc. No hard selling, no up-selling, just a very good professional approach and a job well done. I will definitely be calling on him again.

I have used the Aerating Thatching Company may times over the last 5 years. Each time Stuart and his staff have done an excellent job. They are quick, professional and pay attention to detail. They never damage surrounding plants and each time my lawn looks better than the last. Keep up the good work, I'll be using you for many years to come!

Went well. Filled out his online inquiry form and got a call 2 days later. Stuart said he would call and come the following day on Saturday when I would be home. I missed his first call at 11, but left a voicemail for him a few hours later around 2. Got a call back around 3 and he said his crew would be by within the hour. He and crew came by around 4 as promised. We walked the property and discussed the work recommended, agreed on scope and cost and he and his guys got to work even though it was raining hard. Two guys did the aeration and Stuart followed with fertilizer and seed. He had lots of pointers and had suggestions to save us money on the lawn. Altogether they were here about an hour. Stuart was responsive, professional, helpful and hardworking. Recommended.

I originally found this lawn service company through Angie's list 2 years ago and have depended on Stewart's expertise ever since then. I had spent a lot of time and money trying to get my yard to look and be healthy before he arrived. None of which worked very well short or long term. I have full confidence in what Stewart advises and then does to my once ravaged looking lawn. It will never be in a golf-course situation, but it does do very well with his help and services.

he has the equipment ready, he does not waste time and gets right to the task.

I've worked with Stuart at Aerating and Thatching now for about 6 years. I have a regular gardener, but I let Stuart do all the overseeding and fertilizing and application of Lime (critical in this damp, moss-prone area.) It takes awhile for his amazing expertise to show up, especially when a lawn has some built-up problems. I had a new lawn put in, but within 2 years it was scraggly with weeds & moss throughout, even though I had a highly rated gardening team caring for it. When I complained they suggested I put in another new lawn. I saw Stuarts distinctive bright red truck in the neighborhood and I called him, just to get my lawn thatched. Stuart guided me to a new, beautiful and amazingly affordable lawn. I get complements all the time on my beautiful yard. I get the Lawn Tune Up (aerate, fertilize, overseed) in the spring with his special super-duper lime application, and I get the Full Meal Deal (Lawn tune up + Thatching) in the fall. He is courteous, efficient and FAST and affordable. He doesn't apply anything that will hurt my dogs or my cat or the birds. I would highly recommend Stuart Armour at Aerating and Thatching Company !

Tried to contact this company, filled out the online appointment/message form and no response at all. Tried calling by phone but the phone message was like calling a residence and unprofessional.

Ripped one part of the lawn so severely that it had to be re-posted. Didn't answer questions directly he response to any question was "it's just horticulture".

I have used Stewart for many years. It went well, as expected.

Timely, professional, reasonably priced. Great service!

Stewart was friendly, efficient, and very knowledgeable. He reminds me that his services are "intermittent," but we hope to have in out again. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Stewart thatched our lawn a few week ago then scheduled the aeration and seeding for Sept. He was prompt, efficient, friendly, and very professional. He has printed cards to remind you how to water and maintain the lawn in the early growing period. My son-in-law and neighbor have also used Stewart's services and were very satisfied.

Stewart and a co-worker came and thatched our lawn. The lawn is about 3000 square feet. While the co-worker used the machine to thatch the lawn, Stewart and I raked up the thatch. I helped with the raking to reduce the overall cost. It took us about an hour to rake the thatch into piles on the lawn. After Stewart left, I picked up the thatch. There was enough to fill two large yard waste bins and about 6 of the yard bags you can buy at local hardware stores. It took me about 45 minutes to pick up the thatch. The thatching machine didn't go all the way to the very edge of the lawn, but I know that they went as close to the edge as they could. Stewart called about 45 minutes before he got here to let me know he was on his way. He came at the time we had agreed upon. I would definitely use Stewart again when I need thatching done.