FAQs
How Double Take Lawn Services takes care of your lawn from grass cutting to snow removal and more.
Here’s a few common questions we get asked by our customers.
How often do you cut my grass?
We cut your grass every 5-10 days or longer depending on Iowa’s weather (ex: during the heat of the summer). This helps keep your lawn looking uniform and healthy.
What length will you cut my grass?
We keep it cut between 3.5-4 inches to help ensure you have a soft, healthy lawn year-round.
How early do you start mowing?
We don’t start before 7:30AM.
How often do you trim my lawn?
After each mow, we trim the grass around hard surfaces, fences, and trees.
How often do you edge my yard?
Edging happens around sidewalks, driveways, and concrete patios once or twice a month as needed and by request.
Do you mow anywhere in Des Moines, IA?
No - to provide the best and most efficient service, we only serve customers in the 50317, 50316, and 50313 zip codes along with Pleasant Hill and Altoona. Grimes is being added to our service area in 2025!
Do you trim or plant trees?
We will do light tree trimming that we can reach from the ground (up to 12 ft) with our equipment. We don’t do major cutting/trimming or remove trees of any size. As for planting, we only plant trees that will go with your landscaping.
Do I need to be home when you are cutting my grass or other yard work?
No, we’ll do the work whether you’re home or not. We do ask that your lawn be free of hazards like children’s toys and pets are put away for their safety.
Can you mow my lawn if I have a fence?
Yes - if our equipment can fit through your gate we can mow your yard. If your gate opening is 51” or greater, we are able to fit our equipment. If it’s smaller, we may add an additional push mow charge depending on the size of your lawn due to the extra time it takes to service the property.
Can you do grass mowing on hills?
Mowing grass on hills will depend on the incline but we are able to mow most hills found in Des Moines. There may be additional charges depending on your hill. We will assess with an on-site visit if needed.
How often will I be charged for my grass mowing service?
For mowing, we bill every Monday for that week’s service. If we skip your property, we use it as a credit for your next service. For other lawn care services, we bill once the project is completed unless otherwise discussed or a deposit is needed for materials. For snow removal, we offer a seasonal cost or per push. Seasonal snow removal is due on once the contract is signed; per push snow removal is required to pay the first service once the contract is signed with additional services charged the Monday after we’ve come to take care of your snow removal. Salt application is also charged the Monday after ice management service has been done.
How can you tell if a lawn needs to be dethatched or aerated?
Dethatching is removing a layer of lawn debris (also called thatch) from the surface of your soil. A little is OK but when it gets too thick it makes it hard for light, water, and nutrients to get into the roots. If your lawn feels spongy and not firm, either by walking around or by feeling it, there’s too much thatch (over 3/4 inch is too much). You can also take a small wedge out of your yard and check the depth of the thatch layer. It’s not something that needs to be done on a regular basis but as needed and usually in early spring before the weeds go to seed. It’s not as helpful as aerating your lawn and may still require aeration as well.
Aeration is the process of taking small plugs out of your lawn because you have soil compaction. Just like lawn debris, if the soil is compacted, it can’t absorb nutrients or water to help the grass grow. You need this done if you see thin or discolored grass, its growth is stunted, or you see puddles after a light rain. You can also do the Screwdriver Test - here’s a video to explain. Even if it’s only a section of your lawn that has a lot of foot traffic, it’s a good idea to do the whole lawn for the health of the grass. Aerations usually only need to be done about once a year; we typically recommend in the late summer or early fall to avoid weed seedlings from taking advantage of the holes.