TruGreen Lawn Care in Lake Forest

TruGreen Lawn Care

(833) 418-5004 www.trugreen.com

28557 Ballard Dr, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

TruGreen provides local, affordable lawn care in the Lake Forest area, including aeration, overseeding, fertilization, weed control, and other services tailored to your lawn's needs. We also offer tree and shrub care as well as defense against mosquitoes and other outdoor pests. We believe life should be lived outside, and our tailored lawn plans and expert specialists help us serve our Lake Forest community and loyal customers every day. Place your trust in America’s #1 lawn care company by calling TruGreen today at 833-418-5004

4.4 from 431 reviews

5 stars
342
4 stars
25
3 stars
2
2 stars
6
1 stars
56

Pros

  • The technician was thorough and educated customers on TruGreen’s products and the steps to keep everything working properly.
  • TruGreen provides excellent communication and reliably assigns the same technician to a home when possible.
  • Nelson is thorough and knowledgeable, and customers renew because of him.
  • A great lawn is achievable with TruGreen.
  • They bring back the life of the lawn every year.
  • Jovane has consistently cared for the lawn, and is always pleasant and responsive to questions.
  • The specialist who arrived was courteous and professional.
  • Eric delivered an excellent and thorough job fertilizing trees and shrubs.
  • They notify customers in advance via the app and explain what will be done; customers have been very satisfied for years.
  • Anthony is professional and caring; customers are happy with his work.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 15% of total ratings

  • They describe TruGreen as the biggest jerks who are incredibly expensive and sloppy in work.
  • They say the company is a scam with deceptive marketing and upselling.
  • They report repeated no-shows and being billed for services not performed.

Review Overview

TruGreen Lawn Care in Lake Forest is best suited for single-family properties with substantial lawn and shrub areas, where ongoing fertilization, weed control, insect/pest management, and even mosquito services are part of a long-term maintenance plan. It works well for homeowners who want a hands-off, professional program rather than DIY every season, and for those with mid-to-upper budget flexibility who value consistent service over a one-off fix. Urgency matters here: this is not a crisis-response contractor; the payoff comes from steady, seasonal applications and a planned approach that builds turf health over time. For larger lots or mature landscapes with multiple tree and shrub beds, the comprehensive TruGreen offering, lawn, shrubs, mosquitoes, and targeted tree care, delivers the most value.

Safety and cleanup standards are where tree-and-lawn work diverges most from ordinary home services, and TruGreen’s track record in this area is a mixed bag. On the positive side, numerous clients praise technicians who explain what they are applying and why, and who take care to limit application to the correct zones, protecting ornamentals and garden beds. Several reviews note meticulous attention around gardens, careful navigation of sprinkler heads, and a proactive approach to addressing problem areas. The best techs, people like Nelson, Edgardo, Alejandro, and Kwame, are repeatedly described as thorough, precise, and safety-conscious, with clear explanations about post-visit expectations. Yet the darker thread is equally present: repeated complaints about missed notices, unannounced visits, and instances where pets or children were exposed or where the yard was not properly secured after treatment. The safest operators combine advance courtesy notifications, strict gate control, and complete cleanup of treated zones; anything less invites neighborly friction and risk of exposure.

From a technical standpoint, TruGreen proves capable of handling both lawn and landscape challenges with a seasoned repertoire. The service repertoire, fertilization, broadleaf weed control, grub management, and shrubs/trees treatments through TruShrub and tree programs, aligns with what a property of this type needs to sustain a green, weed-resistant turf and healthy ornamentals. Testimonials frequently highlight long-term improvements: weeds suppressed, crabgrass and creeping Charlie down, and lawns that feel like carpet after a season of attentive care. The company’s technicians often tailor the plan to observed conditions, with many customers reporting that specific technicians (such as Jovane, Jose, and Dominique) provide not only execution but practical guidance on site-specific problems. The recurring caveat is that results hinge on consistent application and accurate coverage; when a crew omits sections or rushes through a back yard, the gains can stall or regress.

Scheduling and communication are the other critical levers in TruGreen’s performance. A large portion of reviews celebrate reliable advance notices via app, email, or text, plus the reassurance of a familiar technician who “knows your yard.” That continuity matters: repeat visits by the same specialist reduce miscommunication, protect sensitive areas, and build trust. However, there is a persistent countercurrent of frustration around missed appointments, delayed responses from branch leadership, and in some cases, billing or service miscommunications that lead to distrust. The strongest operators pair a dependable local point of contact with prompt callbacks and transparent scheduling, and they stand by corrective visits when issues arise. When this alignment exists, customers feel confident in the treatment plan and willing to continue year after year.

Value and risk run on a pendulum of pricing, promises, and post-service accountability. Several long-time customers defend TruGreen as a cost-effective path to a lawn that stays green and largely weed-free, especially when compared to the cumulative cost of DIY fertilizers, weed killers, and soil amendments. Yet there are enough standout horror stories, unfulfilled promises, services billed but not performed, and management that fails to return calls or rectify problems, to warrant caution. The most prudent buyers approach with a written, itemized scope of work, demand a service calendar with dates, and insist on a clear retreatment policy if weeds persist or symptoms of fertilizer burn appear. The market is competitive, and while many clients remain loyal and satisfied, the negative anecdotes underscore the importance of a rock-solid service guarantee, stable local leadership, and accountable technicians.

For property owners considering TruGreen, the practical path to success lies in locking in a preferred technician, requesting a detailed treatment plan for the year, and insisting on strict safety protocols. Ask for written confirmation of every visit, including scope, zones covered, and pre-visit notifications, especially if pets or kids are present. Emphasize gate security and post-visit cleanup, and set expectations about what constitutes a successful retreatment if weeds or pests reappear. Confirm a clear policy on missed appointments and reservice, and obtain a direct line to a local supervisor who can resolve disputes quickly rather than routing all communication through a centralized call center. In short, TruGreen delivers substantial value for well-informed homeowners who treat lawn care as a multi-season investment; the decisive factor is the reliability of the local team and the firmness of the service expectations set upfront.