Poison Ivy & Hazardous Vegetation Policy

Identification & Safety Protocol:

For the safety of our crew and the integrity of our equipment, the presence of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, or Poison Sumac must be identified prior to the commencement of work. If hazardous vegetation is discovered on-site that was not disclosed or noted during the initial walkthrough, work will be paused until a hazard mitigation plan is in place.

Why We Charge a Hazard Premium:

Poison Ivy produces Urushiol, an oil that can remain active on tools, clothing, and equipment for years. To prevent the spread of this oil to your walkways, your pets, or our next client’s lawn, we must perform a rigorous decontamination process. The premium covers:

• Specialized PPE: High-grade nitrile gloves and disposable Tyvek suits.

• Decontamination: Chemical cleaning of mower decks, blades, tires, and hand tools.

• Safe Disposal: Careful bagging and removal of hazardous plant material.

Our Pricing Structure:

Because every property is different, we use three distinct methods to ensure your quote is fair and reflects the actual work required.

1. The Tiered Difficulty Fee (Best for defined patches)

For standard maintenance where ivy is present but contained, we apply a flat surcharge based on the density of the growth:

• Level 1 (Incidental): Sparse, scattered patches. Includes basic PPE and tool wipe-down. [$50–$75]

• Level 2 (Active Mitigation): Thick growth in beds or climbing trees. Requires full suits and deep equipment cleaning. [$150–$300]

• Level 3 (Infestation): Property-wide growth. Requires a custom quote based on total volume.

2. PPE & Decontamination Line Item

For smaller jobs, we may bill specifically for the materials used to keep the site safe. This ensures you only pay for the exact resources consumed:

• Safety Kit: $50 per crew member.

• Equipment Sanitization: $25 flat fee.

• Hazardous Waste Disposal: $20 per bag.

3. The Labor Multiplier

For "overgrown" or "reclamation" jobs where the crew must move slowly and meticulously to avoid contact, we apply a Hazard Multiplier (1.2x – 1.5x) to our standard hourly rate. This compensates for the specialized care and the extra time required for on-site cleanup and hygiene.

Our Commitment to Safety:

If we discover poison ivy during a job that was not previously identified, work will temporarily stop so we can consult with you on the appropriate mitigation tier. Our goal is to leave your property beautiful—and safe—for you and your family.