Choosing a landscaper
Hiring a landscaper…
Choosing the right landscaper for your project requires careful thought. The design stage of the landscaping process directly affects everything that follows. Whether you’re considering a complete landscape overhaul or a small sidewalk install, finding the right landscaper for your project is critical.
Basic checklist…
Any company you are considering employing should have no trouble in providing evidence of the following;
- Bonded & Fully insured
- In good standing with Workers Compensation Board
- How many years they have been trading under their current company name (Companies House)
Don’t forget that sadly many businesses don’t survive, they often leave customers with warranty issues and contracts unfulfilled and will simply start a new business under a new name and continue trading.
Questions…
Once you have established the company is in good standing and a possibility to become your contractor, you then need to decide which landscaper is best to provide the services you require. We recommend considering the following questions:
- What kind of warranty do you offer? (how many years/written/inclusive)
- Will I receive a written quotation/contract for the work?
- What is the expected payment plan? (deposit %)
- Are you able to provide a list of testimonials/referrals?
- Can I look at examples of similar projects already completed? (addresses/contact numbers)
- Do you have industry standard qualifications?
- Do you have a supplier I can contact for a referral?
Investment…
Remember that whatever size project you are considering, you are making a significant investment in time and money and one that will affect your personal lifestyle for many years in a positive way. Take your time to ask the right questions and feel comfortable in the answers provided.
Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials from your potential landscaper. Most certifications have websites available for you to check they are still valid.
As in all walks of life, the cheapest price isn’t always the best. Most companies within the same industry should provide similar pricing and quotations, a quote much lower than others is usually that way for a reason and is almost always too good to be true.
Referrals…
A large section of our work comes directly from referrals, people remember good work and good experiences with reliable contractors. Talk to your neighbours and friends to get trustworthy referrals. If you see a yard that looks especially nice, you may even ask that neighbour who did their landscape. There are many great tools you can also use online. Some of our previous clients have been kind enough to leave us a review of google. Click the icon to check them out.
Hopefully this blog will help give you the tools to make an informed choice when deciding which landscaper to trust with your project. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or to book a free consultation.
