Landmark Services “For a Beautiful Lawn”

Written by Kim Thomas Sunday, 18 July 2010 18:09

June 2010

Running barefoot through thick, green grass feels so good it’s almost primal. But, if you step out onto your lawn and underfoot feels more like straw than a plush, blissful blanket of green, it is definitely time to call Landmark Services of Palm Harbor, your partners forever for a beautiful lawn.

Landmark Services co-owners Pat Guy and Alfie Crescentini know exactly what it takes to put a smile on the faces of their customers, both residential and commercial—the highest quality service around and custom-blended lawn and ornamental applications that address the needs of each individual customer’s lawn and ornamental plantings.

When you call Landmark Services, you are guaranteed to speak with Jan, Pat or Alfie and you can rest assured that it will be one of them who will analyze the specific needs of your lawn, ornamental trees and shrubbery. Long-time residents of the area—Pat and Jan have lived in East Lake’s Lansbrook for 18 years, and Alfie and his wife Carrie have lived in nearby Ridgemoor for 17 years— these are folks who really care about you and your lawn.

Pat, who has more than 30 years of expertise in the field, definitely knows his industry. He served as Vice President of Orkin Lawn Care. “I started in the industry in1980 and ended up in charge of all Lawn Care Operations from New Hampshire to San Diego and from Washington State to Miami,” says Pat. He consulted for two national lawn care companies, as well as for professional baseball stadiums and golf courses to keep the turf in tip-top shape. Pat brings all that experience to his own company now and he’s not looking back. Pat says, “My wife and I joke that I traded in my Coach Briefcase for an IglooCooler and I’ve never been happier!”

Pat holds the highest license that can be earned from the Florida Department of Agriculture in Lawn and Ornamental Control. “Very few times will the person who services your lawn have this type of license,” explains Pat, who actually has had multiple licenses throughout the states. He says that Florida is one of the most difficult states to get licensed in. Licensing is extremely important because of the education requirements that must be met.

Alfie, who joined Pat at Landmark Services five years ago, brings his own unique work history to the company. Alfie is a classically trained Northern Italian chef, who spent the first part of his career in the restaurant business, building and owning several very successful restaurants. “In the restaurant industry, you have to be personable and you have to talk to your customers,” says Alfie. “I bring that same personal touch that you’d expect from a high-end restaurant.” Pat was  actually a frequent customer at Alfie’s restaurant before the two decided to partner.

“Here is what makes Landmark so unique,” explains Pat. “Here is where  the rubber meets the road—we use no salespeople. When you call our office for an estimate you will meet with me or Alfie. If you elect to use our service, we  are the guys that do the work. Alfie and I know everything about our customers’ lawns and we educate our customers about what problems can arise and what  to look for to prevent them. We provide custom- blend lawn care, which means our customers’ lawns won’t get what we call ‘chicken soup’ lawn care from a large tank full of premixed solution that goes to everyone no matter what their needs are.”

Pat and Alfie will analyze your lawn to find the perfect blend and apply what is needed, whether it is fungicides, pesticides, insect control, weed control, lime or some combination of these treatments. And, with Landmark Services, there is never any confusion as to what is being done to the lawn because customers deal with an owner every time, all the time, from the initial lawn analysis to the lawn application. “We have one new customer in Safety Harbor who called us because he was completely frustrated with his previous service,” explains Alfie. “In one year, this company sent out eight different technicians to this guy’s house; his neighbor walked over with the same complaint. I told them, ‘I’m always going to be the one on your lawn and I’m going to be there to answer any questions.’” And just like that, Landmark Services has made another happy customer.

Part of the reason Landmark Services has been so successful is the level of personal pride and care that the owners take in the services they provide. “I talk to the customers,” says Alfie. “I know their names, their kid’s names and I answer any questions they have. I tell them what I’m applying and why. We believe in the old-school way of doing business. People love that we pay attention.” Perhaps that is why Landmark Services receives so many referrals from existing customers. Pat and Alfie were telling me of one customer, a very spry and athletic gal named Betty, who at age 90 puts most of us to shame with her 1-1/2 mile swims in an outdoor pool before she heads to volunteer at Hospice! Betty has referred eight customers to Pat and Alfie. Another customer has referred a whopping 22 friends and neighbors, 11 of whom live on the same street.

Landmark customers really appreciate the attention to detail provided by Alfie, Pat and Jan, who also handles all the administrative duties in the company and who, like Pat, has 30 years of experience in the industry. Every evening, Jan, Pat and Alfie discuss the next day’s customers and plan what blends they’ll need to prepare; they always bring additional products in case of unexpected problems with grasses, ornamental trees or shrubs. Then, early morning over coffee, the three meet to make sure they have everything covered for the day ahead.

Pat knows that education is crucial in knowing how to care properly for grasses and ornamentals. He explains, “There are three aspects to lawn care; chemical, which we take care of completely, as well as proper mowing and irrigation, which we educate our customers on. We have found a very unique way to  communicate with our customers between applications by being very proactive in sending newsletters containing lawn care tips and warnings of what to look for to prevent problems.” Landmark Services can end your lawn frustrations. Pat and Alfie will make sure your lawn is beautiful, your questions are answered and they have your best interests in mind. “Because we don’t do a lot of marketing and we have no sales force, we are able to buy the highest quality products and still keep prices to customers affordable,” says Pat. “We build relationships.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 727-443-0103 or 813-925-3443. For a full list of services, visit www.landmark4you.vpweb.com.