Service Policies
Stomata Lawn & Garden
Professional Lawn & Garden Care in Madison, WI, Waunakee & Surrounding Communities
1. Service Scope & Standards
Standard lawn maintenance includes:
• Lawn mowing
• String trimming around beds, fences, and structures
• Maintaining established lawn edges
• Blowing clippings from sidewalks and driveways
We mow in alternating directions to promote upright growth and reduce soil compaction.
Overgrown edge restoration must be requested separately during the first service or anytime during the season.
Our focus is long-term turf health and soil integrity — not short-term cosmetic results.
2. Residential, Commercial & Community Services
We provide professional lawn care and garden maintenance services in:
Madison, WI
Waunakee
McFarland
Cambridge
Portage
Montello
Endeavor
And surrounding communities
We serve:
• Residential homeowners
• Commercial properties
• Community organizations
• Managed care partners
Commercial and community services operate under written agreements.
We are fully insured.
3. Scheduling & Assigned Service Days
• The first month of the season is used to finalize route efficiency.
• By June, service days become consistent.
• Service times may vary.
Weather conditions may cause temporary delays.
We observe federal holidays. Services may shift by one day during holiday weeks.
4. Weather & Soil Protection Policy
We do not mow during heavy rainfall or when soil is saturated.
Mowing wet soil can:
• Cause compaction
• Reduce oxygen to roots
• Create rutting
• Increase fungal pressure
Clients are asked not to water on scheduled service days.
Protecting soil health protects long-term lawn performance.
5. Overgrown Lawn & No-Mow Policy
If grass has grown significantly beyond a normal maintenance height:
• Service may be billed at up to double the standard rate.
• Extreme overgrowth may result in additional adjustment depending on height and density.
If multiple mowing passes are required to restore the lawn safely, adjusted pricing will apply.
Why:
Overgrown lawns require increased labor time, fuel, equipment wear, debris management, and route disruption.
From a turf science perspective, removing too much blade height at once can shock the plant and damage root systems. Gradual reduction protects lawn health.
Standard pricing resumes once the lawn returns to a regular schedule.
6. Fenced Properties Policy
Properties with fencing require additional manual trimming where mowing equipment cannot fully reach.
An additional fee of up to $10 per service applies to fenced properties.
This reflects the increased labor and precision required for fence-line maintenance.
7. Corner Lot & Extended Frontage Policy
Corner lots and properties with extended street frontage require additional edging, trimming, and debris management.
An additional fee of up to $10 per service applies to corner lots.
This reflects expanded perimeter maintenance compared to interior lots.
8. Yard Preparation & Property Responsibility
Clients must:
• Secure pets indoors
• Unlock gates
• Remove toys, hoses, and small debris
Clients are responsible for disclosing:
• Irrigation systems
• Underground wiring
• Landscape lighting
• Hidden hazards
Damage to undisclosed systems is not the responsibility of Stomata Lawn and Garden Care.
9. Cancellation & Service Termination Policy
A. Single Service Cancellation
For non-weather-related cancellations:
If notice is provided less than 24 hours before service, on the same day, or once crew arrives on-site, the regular service rate will apply.
Weather-related delays do not incur charges.
B. Ending Service (Non-Contracted Residential)
We request at least 14 days (2 weeks) notice to end service.
Notice may be provided via:
• In person
• Website portal
• Email
• Text
• Phone call
No cancellation fee applies when proper notice is given.
C. Ending Service (Contracted Residential, MCO, Commercial & Community)
30 days written notice is required to terminate service.
10. Yard Preparation & Property Responsibility
Clients must:
• Secure pets indoors
• Unlock gates
• Remove toys, hoses, and small debris
Clients are responsible for disclosing:
• Irrigation systems
• Underground wiring
• Landscape lighting
• Hidden hazards
Damage to undisclosed systems is not the responsibility of Stomata Lawn and Garden Care.
11. Equipment & Incidental Damage Policy
Routine lawn maintenance may result in minor debris movement or incidental contact with pre-existing weakened materials.
We are not responsible for:
• Loose fence boards
• Fragile decorative items left in mowing areas
• Pre-existing structural weaknesses
Clients are encouraged to remove valuable items prior to service.
12. Appearance & Work Hours Policy
For safety and identification, Stomata crew members wear red or blue shirts displaying company contact information while on properties.
For weeding-only services, vacation homes, or business properties, work may begin as early as 6:00 a.m. or extend beyond standard business hours when appropriate.
Any early or extended hours are discussed and approved in advance as part of contracted terms.
13. Estimates & Pricing
All estimates are based on the visible condition of the property at the time of review. Final pricing may adjust if actual site conditions differ, including:
-
Overgrown lawns
-
Hidden debris or obstacles
-
Access limitations
-
Scope changes
-
Additional requested services
We communicate major adjustments whenever possible before proceeding.
14. Billing & Payment Terms
A payment method is required on file before service begins.
Accepted payments:
• Credit card
• Check
• Cash
Recurring services are billed monthly.
Project services may require:
• 50% deposit
• Payment upon completion
• Materials exceeding $5,000 paid in advance
A $5 weekly late fee applies after three reminders.
15. Property Condition & Safety Policy
Service may be suspended if:
• Hazardous debris is present
• Aggressive animals are unsecured
• Unsafe terrain exists
• Construction materials block access
If service is suspended upon arrival due to unsafe or undisclosed conditions, the regular service rate will apply, as this is equivalent to an on-site cancellation.
Safety is a priority.
16. Service Expectations & Environmental Variables
Lawn and garden care is influenced by:
• Weather patterns
• Soil composition
• Shade exposure
• Pest activity
• Seasonal growth cycles
While we strive for consistent, professional results, specific aesthetic outcomes cannot be guaranteed due to environmental factors beyond our control.
Our focus remains long-term plant health and sustainable maintenance.
17. Scope of Services & Exclusions
Stomata Lawn and Garden Care provides lawn maintenance, garden maintenance, seasonal cleanups, and related property services as defined within individual client agreements. The Company does not perform services that require specialized trade licensing, chemical application licensing, structural engineering, or heavy equipment operation beyond standard landscape maintenance tools.
Excluded services include, but are not limited to:
• Hardscape installation (patios, retaining walls, pavers, stonework)
• Fertilizer, pesticide, or chemical herbicide applications
• Tree removal or large/tall tree pruning
• Stump grinding
• Excavation or grading
• Drainage system installation or modification
• Irrigation system installation or repair
• Structural landscape construction
• Dethatching or mechanical power raking
• Services requiring engineered design, municipal permitting, or specialized contractor licensing
Any service request outside the defined scope may be declined or referred to a properly licensed contractor. The Company reserves the right to refuse any service that exceeds its operational scope, insurance coverage, safety standards, or regulatory authorization.
Stomata Lawn and Garden Care, LLC provides structured, science-informed lawn and garden maintenance services for residential, commercial, and community-based properties throughout Madison, WI, Waunakee, and surrounding Dane and Columbia County communities.
Our policies ensure clarity, consistency, safety, and high-quality service for every client.