Key Considerations Before Hiring a Landscaper
Looking to boost the curb appeal of your slice of suburbia?
It can be a process to achieve suburb curb appeal for your home. It takes time, money, planning, and often back-breaking labor to get the results you want.
It’s amazing what a beautiful garden can do to the overall look of your home. If there’s a lot of landscaping work to be done, it may be worth it to hire a professional landscaper. But how do you know who to hire with so many options?
First things first; ask around. Word of mouth is an excellent way to find a good landscaping company near Downers. Talk to neighbors who recently had landscaping work done in your neighborhood and have excellent results. Ask them what their experience was like and if they’d recommend the company they used.
Next, do some Googling. Search the web and browse reviews. After asking around and digging a bit, narrow down your search and get ready to ask your potential landscapers some essential questions.
Here are nine questions to ask before hiring a landscaper.
Table of Contents
1. Which type of services do you offer?
Every landscaping company is a little different regarding what they offer and specialize in. Some may be excellent installers while others are also skilled landscape planners. Asking this question is crucial in deciphering if a company is the right fit for your specific needs or not.
2. What are the estimated costs?
Nobody likes surprises when it comes to costs. Make sure to ask about fees before any work begins. If their number is a little higher than you anticipated, ask if there are any adjustments you can make to lower costs. They will most likely be able to work with you and recommend design changes or plant alternatives to get your price within your budget. It never hurts to ask.
3. Where do you source your specific shrubs, plants, and trees from?
Your landscaper should use plants that are grown in your area. First off, they’ll cost less. Secondly, they’ll be able to grow and thrive. Plants that are not used to their environment may have difficulty adjusting to the new growing conditions, which raises the risk of pests and diseases.
4. Will you handle ongoing maintenance?
Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into as far as maintenance. Be sure there’s a clear maintenance plan in the contract, and you know exactly what to expect. Maintenance and replacement policies vary depending on the company, so ask plenty of questions before signing your name. Which maintenance tasks will they take care of, and which will be your responsibility?
5. Can you accomplish my vision?
This is an important one. A good landscaping contractor will take the time to understand your vision and work hard to get it just right. They should get a clear understanding of your dream yard, budget, and desired amount of maintenance. Bring pictures for inspiration. Talk about the work required to accomplish your vision. Your contractor should put together a rendering of your new yard to give you a clear idea of the result.
6. How long will the project take, start to finish?
This timeline may be approximate due to weather conditions and other obstacles. Still, it’s nice to have at least some idea of what to expect. Make sure to discuss any deadlines on your end — a massive party you’re hosting, for example. Give yourself plenty of wiggle room in case unexpected problems arise.
7. How long until all planting reaches maturity?
Your landscapers may try to save you money by planting young shrubs and saplings. More mature plants will be costly and don’t always transplant well. Discuss the details of your plants with your contractor so you know when your plants will be full-sized.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE
Ultimate Drainage Buyer’s Guide
- Expert Tips and Tricks
- Design Inspiration
- Budget-Friendly Solutions
- Seasonal Maintenance Guide
8. Whom can I call if I have questions or concerns?
Don’t forget to get the contact information for your company’s foreman. Call them if anything looks off during the landscape installation. You’re paying for a service. They should be available to answer your questions.
9. Do you do hardscaping and lighting?
If you want more than plantings, make sure you hire a company that does it all. You shouldn’t feel limited in your options because the company you hired can’t do everything you want. There is a company out there that can do everything you want and more.
Landscape Company Red Flags
Hiccups may arise; that’s life, and that’s ok. The important part is how your company handles issues and how transparent they are about them. Pay attention to the following red flags.
- Poorly written or nonexistent contract
- Unable to show a license
- Doesn’t have insurance
- A rate that is too good to be true
- A hefty deposit upfront
- Vague deadlines
- Lack of clear communication
- No online presence
- No reviews or poor reviews
Embarking on a landscape project is exciting. Good landscaping can change your home’s look, feel, and value. Be sure to ask your landscaper the right questions before hiring them, and if you notice any red flags, run for the hills! Good communication is crucial when working with a contractor. If you need landscape and drainage services in Hinsdale, Ware Landscaping is available to help design and install a landscape design ideal for your situation.
Following these nine essential elements for landscape design will create a solid foundation
