LawnGuru Brings On-Demand Lawn Service To An App
By Edward Cardenas
SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) - A Michigan-based startup is using technology similar to ride-sharing Uber to launch an on-demand lawn service app.
LawnGuru is an iPhone app founded by a pair of entrepreneurs who met at South Lyon high school and allows users to instantly view and hire lawn care providers to mow their properties.
"With our platform it is 100 percent on-demand," said Skye Durrant
President and Co-Founder of LawnGuru. "It allows (customers) to really have control of when their lawn is cut.
The app, developed by University of Michigan computer science engineering student Jacob Torrence, allows those who have downloaded the app to create an account and enter address. Then using a tool in the app, mark out the property on a satellite photo of address. The tool will measure the square footage and generate a quote to have their lawn cut.
Once the request has been placed, a provider - who has provided documentation they have insurance, a record of business and an employee identification number - will receive a text alert and a pinwheel pop up in the app.
The provider will then see property details and what they will be paid for the lawn service.
"It is a platform that gives a lot more control and transparency back to the customers," said Durrant.
LawnGuru is currently available in communities including Brighton, New Hudson, Milford, Novi, Northville, South Lyon, Walled Lake, Whitmore Lake and Wixom. For a list of cities where the service is offered, visit www.lawnguru.co/cities. Durrant said there is plans to expand east to Detroit and west to Grand Rapids.
The app is available only on iOS devices, and an Android version should be available later this summer. Durrant said there are over 500 users and the service has cut more than 100 lanws. There are currently three service providers, which will soon expand to eight, he said.
This winter, LawnGuru has plans to offer on demand snow plowing and shoveling this winter.