Certain additional fees may apply when conditions or customer requests require additional labor, travel, materials, or administrative work beyond the standard scope of service. These fees allow Harris Lawn & Landscape to maintain reliable scheduling and service quality for all clients.

Rescheduling: Our service routes and schedules are fixed. While we will attempt to accommodate reasonable requests, rescheduling a confirmed service visit may result in a rescheduling fee to offset scheduling disruptions and administrative costs.

Cancellation: We require 48 hours’ notice for cancellation of scheduled work. Work cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be subject to a cancellation fee to recover costs associated with scheduling, mobilization, and lost production time. For projects involving special-order materials, deposits may be nonrefundable regardless of cancellation timing.

Fuel Surcharge: Prices are based on the current price of gas. If the average retail gasoline price exceeds $4.00 per Gallon, a 3% fuel surcharge will be applied to invoices. For every $0.25 increase over $4.00, an additional 0.5% surcharge will be added. Fuel surcharges will be adjusted or removed if fuel prices decrease. Fuel prices will be based on the AAA average retail price of gasoline in MA.

Mowing Specific: Additional fees specific to mowing services such as trash pickup, dog waste, furniture moving can be found under “mowing and trimming” section.

Emergency Service Fee: Emergency service requests are defined as work requested outside of normal scheduling procedures, requiring Harris Lawn & Landscape to adjust crew schedules, dispatch outside of regular routing, or perform work on short notice. Emergency services may be subject to an Emergency Dispatch Fee starting at $150, and/or labor billed at 1.5× the standard hourly rate, in addition to any applicable materials or disposal fees. Emergency service requests may include same-day or next-day service requests, storm damage response, or work requested outside normal business hours.

Last updated March 2026

Scheduling

Scheduling for mowing services will be on a weekly basis. Weather, holidays and other circumstances may delay mowing schedule slightly. If your individual lawn is deemed “too wet” or un-serviceable in any way, it will be skipped and serviced on the next available date.

Due to scheduling conflicts, and limited room on our schedules, we do not allow customers to skip or move mowing visits at their discretion.

All other services will be scheduled on an as needed basis as recommended by the landscaper. We require 48-hour notice for any cancelled jobs. We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee for work cancelled by the customer to recover our costs associated with the work.

Automatic Renewal

All recurring maintenance services to include spring & fall cleanups, mowing services, pruning & trimming, irrigation startups & shutdowns, and fertilizer will automatically renew annually unless cancelled in writing, by either party.

Mulch installation and Core Aeration for residential customers do not automatically renew annually. These services will need to be requested by the homeowner annually.

Price Adjustments

We conduct periodic review of our budgets, costs, and service projections to ensure fair and accurate pricing. When determining rates, we carefully evaluate each property, comparing estimated versus actual service hours to maintain transparency and efficiency.

If there are any adjustments to your pricing, these will be communicated in full transparency. We would be happy to discuss the details and provide further clarification upon request.

In the event increases are projected to exceed 10%, your service will NOT renew and will require a new service agreement to be signed.

Cancellation

Either party can terminate service at any time with 30 days written notice.

Last updated March 2026

Scheduling

Scheduling for recurring maintenance services will be on a set schedule. Weather, holidays and other circumstances may delay maintenance services slightly. If your individual property is deemed “too wet” or un-serviceable in any way, it will be skipped and serviced on the next available date.

Due to scheduling conflicts, and limited room on our schedules, we do not allow customers to skip or move mowing visits at their discretion.

All other services will be scheduled on an as needed basis as recommended by the landscaper. We require 48-hour notice for any cancelled jobs. We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee for work cancelled by the customer to recover our costs associated with the work.

Automatic Renewal

All commercial maintenance services will automatically renew annually, unless cancelled in writing by either party.

Price Adjustments

At the end of the Initial Term and each Renewal Term, the Subscription Fee may, at Harris Lawn & Landscape’s option, be increased upon notice to Client by the greater of (a) five percent (5%) per year or (b) the increase (if any) of the “All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the U.S. City Average, 1982-84 = 100” published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the “CPI Index”) over the previous year’s CPI Index.

Cancellation

Either party can terminate service at any time with 30 days written notice.

Last updated January 2025

Due to the many variables outside of our control including weather conditions (wind/precipitation) and the current condition of your property the price provided is considered an ESTIMATE and we reserve the right to charge for work completed at an hourly basis, plus any dump fees for disposal of debris.

Time listed on your quote is only an estimation based on your lawns square feet and an average based on previous similar work.

Excessive buildup of leaves and debris from deferred maintenance, excessively high grass (>6″), or having your property serviced for the first time by us to meet our quality standards will likely increase the scope of work beyond this estimate.

Please let us know if you would like to time cap on this service. If no time cap is specified at the time of accepting this proposal the cleanup will be performed to completion.

Current Hourly Rate: $82-90 per man, per hour (Depending on equipment)

Regular Mow customers: $80-85 per man, per hour (Depending on equipment)

Current Disposal Rate: $15 per cubic yard

(prices current as of Spring 2025)

Example of man hours: 1 man x 30 min = 1/2 HR, 2 men x 30 min = 1 HR.

Last updated March 2026

Certain additional fees may apply when conditions or customer requests require additional labor, travel, materials, or administrative work beyond the standard scope of service. These fees allow Harris Lawn & Landscape to maintain reliable scheduling and service quality for all clients.

Initial Cut (If Overgrown): Depending on when quote is accepted, grass may be overgrown and if grass is overgrown it takes us significantly longer at the first visit. We reserve the right to charge a “double cut fee” up to 2x the normal rate, or higher in extreme cases, if additional work is needed.

Dog Waste Fee ($10-$30) Nobody likes picking up dog waste, let alone stepping in it or running it over with a lawn mower. Please pick up after your dog. Fees will be charged as a deterrent.  Price will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the problem persists, we reserve the right to cancel services.

Toy/Furniture Pickup Fee ($10-$30) If excess toys, lawn furniture, or other items are repeatedly left in the lawn, pickup fees may be assessed. Please pick up toys prior to service. Fees will be charged as a deterrent.  Price will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the problem persists, we reserve the right to cancel services.

Trash & Garbage Fee ($10-$30) Trash and garbage in the lawns can damage our mowers if unnoticed. Please pick up any trash prior to service. Fees will be charged as a deterrent.  Price will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the problem persists, we reserve the right to cancel services.

Landscape Changes If changes to the landscape like a new fence or garden bed are installed and mowers do not fit where they used to or changes make mowing overall more difficult, the agreed upon rate may be subject to change.

Rescheduling ($10-30) Our schedules are fixed, and modifications may not always be possible. We will strive to accommodate reasonable requests, but a small inconvenience fee might apply.

Skipped Services ($25) We only offer weekly service with a limited number of spots on our routes. If you choose to skip a scheduled service, we reserve the right to charge a skipped service fee to help cover overhead costs associated with reserving your spot on our schedule.

Fall Mow/Leaf Charge Leaves start falling as soon as early October however grass doesn’t stop growing well into November. In order to keep your lawn cut through growing season, the leaves will need to be moved out of the way or removed. As a service, we will blow leaves into the woods, into garden beds, to a pre-determined location, or take them away, prior to mowing. This added service requires our crews to take additional time mowing, therefore an additional charge will apply. This charge will be itemized and added to your monthly mow invoice. The rates are as follows:

Labor: $80 per man, per hour & tracked in 15-minute increments

Debris Removal: $15 per cubic yard

(prices current as of Spring 2026)

If there aren’t many leaves, it might not be necessary (no charge) or it may take one man ten minutes to blow the whole property. That would only add just over $10 to that week’s mow charge. Please note that is just an example, as every property varies. If you do not want this service, please let us know and we can remove you from the mowing schedule. All we ask is for a 7-day notice so we can adjust the schedules accordingly.

Last updated March 2026

Mulch is installed by the cubic yard. The number of yards quoted on the estimate is simply an estimate. The final invoice will reflect the actual yardage multiplied by the agreed upon rate listed on your estimate. The use of years of experience and measurements gets us close to the actual numbers, however actual yardage may fluctuate +/- 20%.

Weed fabric or mulch will not prevent 100% of weeds, they only mitigate growth.

“Washout” of mulch on hillsides may occur without proper drainage or erosion control. Mulch does not constitute as erosion control and is not warrantied under any “washout”.

Last updated January 2025

Excavation Unknowns

To keep our costs down we do not include a generalized price increase across the board to account for site condition unknowns. We address any possible changes as they arise, and it is our goal to explain the possible implications of these changes and possible solutions before moving forward. Every site is unique and will present its own unique challenges. While change orders for site unknowns are rare, they are a real possibility.

It is our goal to be upfront with you about possible changes to your project. The most important part of a well-built structure is the base under it. If any step in the excavation is overlooked this may lead to premature failing of your new investment. This includes excessive settling outside ICPI standards. We do NOT cut corners and to offer leading warranties on our installation, we take great care in every step of the process.

Abandoned Structures

Occasionally, property owners may be unaware of underground structures left by previous owners. If we uncover any unmarked structures or utilities during our work, additional services may be required to address the situation properly.

For example, if we discover an abandoned underground oil tank, we may need to either remove it or adjust the project’s location to proceed safely and in compliance with regulations. All available options will be carefully evaluated, and we will discuss any implications, costs, and necessary next steps with you before moving forward.

Subsoil Amendment
In the event adequate subsoils are discovered through excavation a change order will be required. After excavating topsoil, we analyze the subsoils underneath any new addition very carefully. New England is known for clay, silty soils. If it is determined that the soil structure of your site is inadequate, chemical amendments, gradation amendments, over excavation or a combination of all three will be performed to increase sub soil load bearing capacity.

Boulders & Ledge

Through excavation for your new hardscape project, we will be moving significant amounts of dirt. Without the luxury of knowing what is underground, it is impossible to know what we will uncover. In New England ledge and boulders are a concern with our rocky soils. Where it can sometimes be possible to detect the presence of ledge based on surrounding areas noticing any protruding bedrock from the ground, sometimes ledge can be hidden until we start excavation. Where the chances of finding ledge are minimal, if you have noticed protruding bedrock in your neighborhood there may be a greater chance. Additional unknowns include large boulders.

If these unknown variables become present, work will cease and a change order will be produced. Options for remediation include drilling, blasting, hammering, and excavation. Typically, remediation work for these services is performed on a “time and materials” basis at the current hourly rate.

Last updated January 2025

Public Utilities

Excavation work presents unique challenges due to the inability to see underground obstructions before digging begins. In compliance with Massachusetts law, Harris Lawn & Landscape will have public utilities marked through Dig Safe. Digging will not commence until the markings are complete and a written report has been received. We will maintain appropriate clearance from utility markings and adhere to all regulations for working near public utilities.

Marking Private Utilities

It is the property owner’s responsibility to mark all private utilities lines, including, but not limited to:

• Irrigation systems (heads & lines)
• Underground dog fences
• Landscape lighting
• Gas lines for grill or fire features
• Any other privately installed utilities

For any subsurface work, you are required to take appropriate steps to disclose and mark the location of underground utilities. Please review the following depth guidelines based on our typical equipment penetration:

• Dethatching: 1-2″
• Core Aeration: 3-5″
• Edging of Garden Beds: 3-6″
• Stump Grinding: 6+”
• Planting 12+”
• Hardscaping 12+”
• Excavation 12+”

If you prefer, we can arrange for private utilities to be marked at the Owner’s expense. In either case, we will maintain a safe working distance from all marked utilities.

Damage to Unmarked Utilities

If private utilities are not marked or are inaccurately marked, Harris Lawn & Landscape cannot be held responsible for any resulting damage. If damage occurs during work and is recognized at the time, we will:

• Flag and leave the damaged area exposed when practical and safe, to allow for efficient repairs.
• Report the damage to the property owner, who is responsible for making repairs and covering all associated costs.

If equipment damage results from unmarked utilities, the property owner may be held responsible for reimbursement.

Damage to Marked Utilities

If damage occurs within 18 inches of properly marked flags, Harris Lawn & Landscape will either repair the damage or reimburse the homeowner for the associated costs.

Last updated January 2025

Additional work requested that is not outlined in estimate/quote may warrant extra charges: Only work specifically listed in the estimate is included in the contract price. If it is not listed in your estimate, it is not included. If you believe we talked about something you do not see in the quote please let us know before moving forward, we simply may have forgotten.

If additional work is requested and expected to be over $1000 a change order will be submitted and signed by both parties.

If actual size of install exceeds quoted size based on SqFt, LF, Yardage, etc., the actual quantity will be multiplied by the agreed upon rate. For example, if 7 yards of mulch were needed but we estimated 6, you will be charged for 7.

Last updated January 2025

All estimates provided are subject to change throughout the duration of the job. Several factors may result in adjustments to the final invoice. Please review the sections above to better understand when and why additional charges may apply. Below are a few common examples, though not limited to:

• Additional Service Fees: Certain fees, such as our dog waste fee, may be applied to mowing customers who repeatedly fail to clean up after their pets.
• Material Variances: If the estimated quantity of materials differs from the actual amount used (e.g., an estimate of 6 cubic yards of mulch but 7 are required), the final invoice will reflect the actual amount used.
• Measurement Adjustments: If an estimate includes 80 feet of cobblestone but 85 feet are installed, the final invoice will reflect the cost of 85 feet.
• Site Conditions & Change Orders: Unknown site conditions, such as unsuitable subsurface material discovered during excavation, may require a change order and additional work to ensure proper completion.
• Extended Service Time: If the time spent servicing your property exceeds the estimated amount due to unforeseen circumstances, billing will be adjusted accordingly at our current hourly rate.

Last updated January 2025