When lawn care tasks become overwhelming, hiring a landscaping contractor may help lighten your workload while providing more consistency to your business.
Conduct interviews with potential contractors to get a feel for how they operate, asking about their work practices if sustainability is of particular concern to you.
Know Your Needs
If you need something specific done, find a landscape contractor who specializes in it. Request an appointment so they can come over and provide a bid, and ask if they offer design sketches so they understand exactly what you expect of them.
Some landscape architects offer construction administration, which means sending your project out for bids from contractors but acting as supervisor. You could also hire a contractor on your own and have them handle construction work; the downside to this method would be not having access to a designer for design feedback and making achieving your desired look more difficult.outdoor patio pavers
Set a Budget
Your landscape contractor can assist with setting a budget and can make suggestions as to how you can improve and increase the value of your property.
Look to friends and family for referrals or search online reviews of landscaping contractors in your area. Often these companies will post images of their work on their websites.
As soon as you meet with potential contractors, discuss what you want done and show photos. Ask each to provide an estimate; compare estimates to find one which comes closest to meeting your vision while staying within budget.
Be sure to verify whether or not they possess valid license and worker's compensation insurance policies, as reputable companies will offer contracts outlining all requested services, rates and payment terms for your project.
Ask for References
If you know anyone who's had work done, ask for their recommendations on a landscaper. Otherwise, conduct an online search to identify suitable companies. Look for businesses with lots of customer reviews and strong local presence - this will ensure they understand your area's microclimate as well as what types of plants will thrive there.
Listen carefully during your initial meeting with contractors, to ascertain that they understand your goals, budget and project schedule. They should be able to tell you immediately whether they will handle all aspects of the job themselves or bring in subcontractors as necessary; now is also an opportune moment to inquire about licensing and insurance requirements.
Get a Contract
An effective landscaping contract establishes the responsibilities and expectations between contractor and customer, protecting both parties from miscommunications or disputes that might arise during projects. Make sure your contract contains terms and conditions such as payment methods (including transaction fees for credit cards), start dates, cancellation and termination clauses etc.
As part of your vetting process, when interviewing landscaping contractors it's essential that they employ sustainable practices. Since they will be altering existing landscapes and installing new materials it is vital that these practices are as eco-friendly as possible - this question will allow you to weed out companies which don't provide green solutions and could save both money and time in the form of additional costs or delays in your project.
Don’t Pay Upfront
Be wary if any landscape contractor asks for an upfront payment in any amount; this is usually an indication that they are unlicensed and uninsured; any legitimate landscaping business will possess worker's compensation and general liability policies to cover damages caused by its employees and work.
Successful contractors possess an excellent track record in terms of outstanding work and client references, providing clear communication about costs and how they will complete projects successfully.
Once you have identified potential landscape contractors, ask them to visit and assess your property and provide a cost estimate. This gives you the chance to meet them personally and gauge their professionalism and experience; though prices will differ. Be wary of companies offering unexpectedly low estimates.
No comments yet