When it comes to professional lawn care, homeowners often weigh their options between national giants and well-established regional providers. TruGreen and Massey Services represent two distinct but highly reputable choices in this landscape. TruGreen is a household name, synonymous with comprehensive lawn care across most of the United States. Massey Services, while perhaps less nationally recognized for just lawn care, is a significant integrated home services provider, particularly dominant in the Southeastern U.S., offering robust lawn, pest, and termite control.

This comparison aims to dissect the offerings of both TruGreen and Massey Services’ lawn care division to help homeowners make an informed decision. We’ll explore their service philosophies, the breadth of their plans, geographic coverage, pricing considerations, and what customers generally say about their experiences. By understanding their unique strengths and limitations, you can determine which company is better equipped to transform and maintain your outdoor space.

Compare TruGreen vs. Massey Lawn

The primary distinction between TruGreen and Massey Lawn Care lies in their scope and focus. TruGreen is a pure-play lawn care company with a nationwide footprint, offering standardized, comprehensive plans designed to cover all aspects of turf health. Massey Services, on the other hand, is an integrated home services company, with lawn care being one of several key offerings alongside pest control and termite management. This means Massey often bundles services and prides itself on a more holistic approach to home and yard protection, albeit primarily in the Southeast. TruGreen also offers a more explicitly natural/organic plan (TruNatural), which Massey does not have to the same extent.

Overview

TruGreen: As the largest lawn care company in the United States, TruGreen has built its reputation on delivering scientifically-backed lawn care solutions. With a vast network of highly trained specialists and a focus on consistent application protocols, TruGreen aims to simplify lawn maintenance for homeowners. They offer a range of annual plans designed to address various lawn needs, from basic fertilization and weed control to comprehensive treatments for pests, diseases, and soil health, all supported by a “Healthy Lawn Guarantee.”

Massey Services (Lawn Care): Founded in 1985, Massey Services is a prominent name in home and commercial services, particularly strong in Florida and other Southeastern states. While widely known for pest and termite control, their “GreenUp Landscape Service” offers extensive lawn care solutions. Massey emphasizes a proactive, environmentally responsible approach to maintaining a healthy landscape, often integrating lawn care with their pest management expertise to provide a “total home” solution. They pride themselves on local expertise and consistent service.

Plans & Services

Both companies offer structured programs designed for year-round lawn health, but with some differences in emphasis and flexibility.

TruGreen’s Plans & Services: TruGreen’s offerings are built around several core annual plans, which typically include multiple applications throughout the growing season.

  • TruHealth: Focuses on fertilization, weed control, and basic insect control.
  • TruComplete: Builds upon TruHealth by adding aeration and overseeding, aiming for a thicker, more resilient lawn.
  • TruSignature: Their most comprehensive plan, including all services from TruComplete plus tree and shrub care, and advanced insect control.
  • TruNatural: An organic-based lawn care plan utilizing natural fertilizer and offering weed control upon request, catering to environmentally conscious homeowners.
  • A La Carte Services: Customers can add specific services like grub control, mosquito control, perimeter pest control, and disease treatment to any plan.
  • Healthy Lawn Guarantee: Promises re-service between scheduled visits if problems persist.

TruGreen’s strength lies in its standardized plans and consistent execution across its broad service area, relying on its extensive research and development.

Massey Services’ Plans & Services (GreenUp Landscape Service): Massey Services offers a holistic “GreenUp Landscape Service” that goes beyond just the lawn, often integrating with their broader home services.

  • Custom-Blended Fertilization: Seasonally adjusted nutrition to build a strong root system and vibrant lawn.
  • Weed Control: Both pre-emergent and targeted post-emergent treatments for various weeds.
  • Insect & Disease Prevention/Treatment: Proactive and curative solutions for lawn-damaging insects (e.g., grubs) and common diseases (e.g., fungus).
  • Annual Core Aeration: To reduce soil compaction and improve nutrient absorption.
  • Soil pH Testing: To ensure optimal soil conditions for turf health.
  • Mowing & Pruning Recommendations: While they don’t mow, they provide expert advice to homeowners or their landscapers.
  • Tree & Shrub Care: Often integrated, focusing on nutrition, insect, and disease control for ornamental plants.
  • Irrigation Maintenance: Unique to Massey, they offer inspection and maintenance for sprinkler systems to ensure proper watering.
  • Pest Control Integration: Their lawn services are often bundled or easily combined with their interior pest and termite control programs, offering a “one-stop shop” for many homeowners.

Massey’s services are often more tailored to local conditions, particularly in the challenging climates of the Southeast, and their integration of irrigation and broader pest control distinguishes their offering.

Availability & Locations

The geographic reach of these two companies is quite different, impacting who can access their services.

TruGreen Availability: TruGreen boasts the largest footprint in the U.S. lawn care industry, providing services in 48 contiguous U.S. states. This extensive coverage means that a vast majority of homeowners across the country can likely access TruGreen’s services. They also operate in Canada.

Massey Services Availability: Massey Services has a strong regional focus, primarily dominating the Southeastern United States. Their operations are concentrated in states such as Florida (where they have a very high number of locations), Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. While significant within these regions, their reach is not nationwide like TruGreen’s. Homeowners outside these states will need to consider alternative providers.

Customer Reviews

Customer experiences with both TruGreen and Massey Services can vary, reflecting factors like local branch management, technician quality, and customer expectations.

TruGreen Customer Reviews:

  • Positives: Many customers praise TruGreen for noticeable improvements in lawn health, density, and color, along with effective weed control. The convenience of scheduled treatments and the “Healthy Lawn Guarantee” are frequently appreciated. Their mobile app and online tools are also seen as benefits.
  • Areas for Improvement: Common complaints sometimes include inconsistency in service quality between different technicians or branches, occasional challenges with customer service responsiveness (though they have online chat and app support), and concerns about persistent sales calls. Some customers also mention the need for several applications to see full results.

Massey Services Customer Reviews (Lawn Care):

  • Positives: Customers often highlight Massey’s local expertise, especially in managing common issues specific to the humid Southeastern climate (e.g., specific weeds, fungus, unique pests). The professionalism and knowledge of individual technicians often receive praise. The ability to bundle lawn care with pest and termite control is a significant draw for many. Responsiveness for re-treatments or specific issues is frequently lauded.
  • Areas for Improvement: Like any multi-location service, quality can vary. Some customers have reported initial miscommunications regarding service scope or billing. While they pride themselves on integration, the breadth of services can sometimes lead to less specialization in one area compared to a pure-play company. Pricing transparency can sometimes be an issue as detailed quotes often require an on-site inspection.

Final Thoughts

The choice between TruGreen and Massey Services Lawn Care largely depends on your geographic location, your specific lawn care needs, and whether you prefer a bundled home service approach.

Choose TruGreen if:

  • You live outside Massey Services’ primary operating regions.
  • You prefer a well-established national brand with standardized plans and a strong guarantee.
  • You desire comprehensive lawn care (fertilization, weed, pest, disease control, aeration, overseeding) and potentially tree/shrub care, without needing other home services bundled.
  • You are interested in an explicit organic-based lawn care option (TruNatural).
  • You appreciate convenient online and app-based account management.

Choose Massey Services (Lawn Care) if:

  • You reside within their core service areas in the Southeastern U.S.
  • You are looking for an integrated approach to home and yard protection, potentially bundling lawn care with pest control, termite control, and irrigation services.
  • You value local expertise, as Massey’s teams are often highly familiar with regional grass types, soil conditions, and pest pressures.
  • You prioritize personalized service and direct relationships with your technicians or local branch.

Both companies are committed to delivering results for healthier lawns. Your decision will come down to matching their service model and geographic reach with your individual preferences and the specific needs of your property. Obtaining a detailed, on-site quote from both, if available in your area, is highly recommended for a direct comparison tailored to your unique lawn.

FAQs About TruGreen and Massey Lawn Care

Q1: Do both companies offer free estimates? A1: Yes, both TruGreen and Massey Services typically offer free, no-obligation quotes or inspections. For TruGreen, you can often get an instant online quote, followed by a detailed assessment. Massey Services usually performs an on-site inspection to provide a tailored quote, especially for their GreenUp Landscape Service.

Q2: Are their products safe for pets and children? A2: Both companies state that they use products in accordance with EPA regulations and aim for applications that are safe for pets and children once dry. They recommend keeping pets and children off treated areas until the application has dried, which typically takes a few hours. TruGreen also offers a TruNatural plan for those seeking an organic-only approach.

Q3: Do these companies offer tree and shrub care? A3: Yes, both offer tree and shrub care services. TruGreen includes it in their TruSignature plan or as an add-on. Massey Services integrates tree and shrub nutrition, pest, and disease control as part of their comprehensive GreenUp Landscape Service.

Q4: Can I get just one-time services, or do I need an annual plan? A4: TruGreen primarily focuses on annual plans due to the nature of continuous lawn care, but they do offer some a la carte services. Massey Services also designs year-round programs for optimal results. While one-time treatments for specific issues might be possible, the full benefits of either service are realized through ongoing programs.

Q5: What happens if I’m not satisfied with the results? A5: TruGreen offers a “Healthy Lawn Guarantee” for its program customers, promising to re-service your lawn between scheduled visits if you’re not satisfied. Massey Services also prides itself on customer satisfaction and will typically re-treat or address issues if you’re not pleased with the results. It’s always best to understand the specifics of their guarantees when signing up.

Methodology: How We Rank Lawn Care Companies

Our comprehensive methodology for evaluating lawn care companies, including national providers like TruGreen and regional specialists like Massey Services, is designed to provide an objective and in-depth assessment. We consider a range of factors critical to a homeowner’s decision-making process:

  1. Service Breadth & Customization (25%):

    • Range of Services: Does the company offer a full suite of services (fertilization, weed, pest, disease control, aeration, overseeding, tree/shrub care)?
    • Program Flexibility: Are there options for different needs (e.g., basic, comprehensive, organic) and can services be customized or added à la carte?
    • Diagnostic Approach: How well do they assess a lawn’s specific needs (e.g., soil tests, on-site inspections)?

  2. Service Model & Expertise (20%):

    • Corporate vs. Franchise: Implications for consistency, local knowledge, and customer service.
    • Technician Training & Certification: Level of expertise and ongoing education for field staff (e.g., certified arborists, entomologists).
    • Science-Backed Methods: Reliance on research, proven products, and integrated pest management (IPM) principles.

  3. Customer Experience & Support (20%):

    • Responsiveness: Ease of contact, speed of issue resolution, and communication regarding service visits.
    • Customer Communication: Clarity of service summaries, tips for between-visit care, and transparency.
    • Guarantees & Satisfaction: Strength of their satisfaction guarantee or re-service policy.
    • Digital Tools: Availability of user-friendly apps, online portals, and chat support.

  4. Cost & Value (15%):

    • Pricing Competitiveness: How prices compare to industry averages for similar services.
    • Quote Transparency: Clarity and detail of proposals, absence of hidden fees.
    • Overall Value: Whether the results and service quality justify the investment over time.

  5. Reputation & Reviews (10%):

    • Aggregated Customer Feedback: Analysis of online ratings and reviews from various platforms (e.g., BBB, Google, Yelp, Angie’s List).
    • Company Standing: BBB accreditation, industry awards, and overall brand perception.

  6. Availability & Geographic Reach (10%):

    • National vs. Regional: Extent of service area and consistency across locations.
    • Local Market Penetration: Strength of presence and local market understanding in their operating regions.

By applying these criteria rigorously, we aim to provide homeowners with a balanced and informed perspective, helping them choose the best lawn care provider for their unique property.