By ANDREA MCCANN
Indiana Correspondent

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Home and business owners in search of landscaping or lawn care services will get quality work, knowledge and experience with Master Cut Lawnscaping, Inc., located near Bloomington.

“Customer service is my number-one priority,” said company President Phil James.

Master Cut Lawnscaping offers a broad range of services to both residential and commercial clients. They include everything from mowing to installing water features and “hardscapes,” such as patios and retaining walls. The staff also will seed lawns, lay sod, and do landscaping, pruning, hedge trimming, mulching, aerating, grading, de-thatching and leaf removal.

“My own pond feature is the biggest job I’ve ever done,” James said, explaining that it took three months to complete between other jobs. “Flower planting is the most minimal job we’ve done.”
About the only jobs the small business doesn’t do are chemical applications, trimming very tall trees and snow removal. However, he said, if a large tree is blown down in a storm, for example, and needs to be cut up and removed, his staff can do that.

“I just don’t have climbing equipment and bucket trucks,” James explained, adding he also doesn’t have snow-removal equipment.
The company’s focus is landscape design/installation and lawn maintenance. Clients include restaurants and a law firm, as well as individuals. The Master Cut Lawnscaping staff will travel out of the Bloomington area for accounts, and has worked in Indianapolis and as far away as Marshall, Ill.

“We do regular maintenance, but most times we do installations only,” James said.

That doesn’t mean it’s the last his clients will see of him. James said he explains the proper care of the plant materials he uses in his landscape designs so his clients have a maintenance program to follow. He remains available, however, for questions and troubleshooting, and offers a one-year guarantee on plant material that has been cared for properly yet inexplicably dies.
“I’m upfront and let them know what to expect from the plant material,” he said, “but a client can call and have me come back to look at something.”

This attention to client education, his quality work and materials, his knowledge of plants and 20 years of experience sets Master Cut Lawnscaping apart from less knowledgeable lawn care services, according to James.

“It’s an oversaturated market,” he said. “When people are unemployed, they’ll buy a mower and go into business without knowing anything about lawns. I’ve seen many people come and go, and in the meantime it hurts me.”

It also hurts the clients who decide to go with a bargain-basement service. Their lawns suffer and they eventually have to find another service when “Johnny-Come-Lately Lawn Care” doesn’t survive.
In addition, James explained, many people starting mowing services may not be fully insured and can sue a property owner if he or she is injured while working on the property. James said small businesses such as Master Cut Lawnscaping should carry insurance.
Before hiring someone to do lawn care or landscaping, he suggested a client ask if they’re fully insured and how long they’ve been in business. Find out how knowledgeable they are by asking about their background, and check on the quality of their work.
When it comes to the lawn, James can give an opinion on the problem if there’s damage, then make recommendations for a cure. He’s knowledgeable about lawn diseases and how to care for grass to avoid disease problems. For example, he said, mowing height and mower blade sharpness are key.

Communication is at the core of his landscape projects, as well. Most clients give him an idea of what they want, and he will advise them on what materials will or won’t work and go from there. Clients are kept informed throughout the process.

“Usually we work out a timeline and just start the project when the weather permits, unless they would like to be there while the project is being built/installed,” James explained. “If we have any type of question or need to make a change with something during the landscape installation, we consult with the client right away.
“This lets them know why we need to make a change and (lets us know) if the change will be satisfactory for them.”

James provides estimates for his work in advance, but does charge for that service, as it requires several hours of work without the guarantee of getting the job. For more information on Master Cut Lawnscaping, contact Phil James at 812-345-4783.