I wanted to bring something to your attention after experiencing the customer side of the app for the first time.

A customer recently handed me their phone because they wanted to leave me a 5-star rating. I figured it would take a few seconds. Instead, it took several minutes just to figure out where the rating option was hidden. We had to locate the completed job first, then continue navigating through the app before finally finding where to leave a review.

That experience made me realize something.

I believe many Pros are missing out on well-earned 5-star ratings simply because the process is too difficult for customers to find. A large percentage of our customers are senior citizens or hardworking adults with busy schedules. Most people aren't going to spend several minutes searching through an app just to leave a review, even if they truly want to.

Those lost ratings have real consequences. Ratings influence our reputation, the quality of jobs we're offered, and our ability to grow on the platform. Many of us invest thousands of dollars into our trucks, equipment, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and everything else required to provide professional service. The least we should be able to count on is receiving the recognition we've earned when a customer wants to leave it.

I'd like to suggest making the rating option much more visible after a service is completed. A simple "Rate Your Pro" button that appears prominently when customers open the app after a completed job would make a huge difference. It would improve the customer experience, give Pros the credit they've earned, and provide LawnStarter with more accurate feedback about the quality of its service providers.

I'm posting this because I know I'm not the only Pro who's been affected by this. There are a lot of hardworking professionals on this platform who deserve to have their work accurately reflected through customer reviews.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope everyone has a safe and peaceful weekend.

Alex Rafael

Lawn Dudes

Thanks

Until now, checking your payouts and itemized earnings meant logging in on the web. That's done. Everything is in the app, one tap away.

Here's what you can see:

• Your recent payments and payment history

• A running view of your earnings

Just open the app, tap the hamburger menu in the top left, then Billing. Everything is there.

Give it a look and let us know what you think in the comments. If there's something you want to see added to the billing view, this is the thread to tell us.

Please give us the option for monthly services again!!!! and not just for fall and winter! The United States is very vast not all properties grow the same.

Recognizing the signs of heat exhaustion before they escalate to heat stroke – which can be life-threatening – can make all the difference. 

Chelsea Morris, owner of High-Class Grass in Virginia Beach, says she suffered what she believes was heat stroke years ago. “Now I pay really close attention to how my body feels in the heat," she says.

“If I start getting dizzy, I stop,” Morris says. “Headaches are another big one for me. I can usually tell the difference between a regular headache and a heat headache. If I start getting one, I'll either take a long break or call it a day and come back around 4 p.m. when the sun isn't beating down as hard."

4 Heat Exhaustion Prevention Strategies

1. Start Early and Dress Smart

Justin Stultz, owner of Wildflower Lawn Care in Hutto, Texas, follows this routine to beat the heat:

"I make sure to take breaks if I need them, I carry lots of water, and I start early," he says. "I'm usually making sure I stay completely covered with something that protects me from the sun, like light-weight athletic hoodies, neck gators, and bucket hats."

It may seem strange to wear more clothing in the heat, but lightweight, breathable layers that shield skin from direct sun can actually keep your body temperature lower than exposed skin baking under UV rays.

2. Drink Water and Keep Your Energy Up

Jesse Nunez, owner of Clean Cut Landscaping in Englewood, Colorado, freezes his water bottle every night and drinks the cold water all day long to cool off. (That’s Jesse in the photo below)

Dehydration is the fastest path to heat exhaustion. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already behind. Drink water consistently throughout the day, and replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.

Fruit is a good source of electrolytes, so Morris keeps "those little cherry mixed fruit cups stocked in my freezer. I don't think many people freeze them, but I do, and they're perfect on hot days for staying cool and keeping my energy up."

3. Cool Off

To cool off, Morris keeps damp towels in her cooler. "I also keep a couple damp hand towels or bandanas in there," she says. "Wiping your face and neck down with a freezing cold towel when you're getting overheated feels amazing and really helps cool you off."

And the best way for Morris – remember she mows lawns in Virginia beach – to cool off? "If I'm near the ocean, I'll even jump in for a few minutes," she says.

4. Take Breaks 

There's a tendency among lawn care pros to push through. The lawn's waiting. The schedule's packed. But that mindset is exactly how people end up in an ambulance.

"The grass will still be there, so I've got no problem taking 10 to 20 minutes to cool off," Morris says. "No lawn's worth risking your health over."

Your Turn: Share Your Tips

How do you protect yourself from heat exhaustion? What do you do to keep your cool and stay hydrated in extreme heat? Post your tips in the comments section.