Use These Tips When Hiring A Landscaper
Jul 08th 2020
Whether you’ve just moved, are trying to sell, or want to add some outdoor beauty to your property, well-executed landscaping can add ample curb appeal to your home or business. However, it seems that anyone with a truck and lawnmower can boast “lawn services” without actually having the expertise. So, how do you weed out the fly-by-night contractors from the experienced landscapers?
Evergreen Lawn Care has some expert tips that we stand by to help you find the best lawn care services for your home or business.
No matter your landscaping needs, we have the years of experience to deliver exceptional work every time. Contact us today for a free landscaper estimate.
Consider Your Goals
When you think of landscaping, you might not be immediately considering all of the various aspects that go into creating a beautiful green space. When deciding on what lawn service you want to employ, it’s best to think about what goals you want to achieve. Whether you want something more specific, such as a butterfly garden, tree removal and tree planting, or irrigation, or are just looking for basic lawn maintenance, this can impact which company you go with.
Most landscaping contractors can provide basic lawn care. But, if you’re aiming for a more involved project, it will require additional expertise from the landscaping company. Even if you don’t know exactly what you want, determining some vague goals and a budget can help when you decide to reach out to a contractor.
Research The Company
A company with experience and a good reputation will be easy to sort out from the rest because they’ll be willing and able to provide references that support their claims. Start by doing an online search to see what reviews you can find. Getting the input of actual customers can help you gauge if the company can deliver good services. Also, take the time to review their website. If they’ve received awards or have any professional certifications or affiliations, you should be able to find them there.
You can also corroborate certain claims, such as the length of time they’ve been in business, through their online page on the Better Business Bureau. While not a guarantee, a company that’s been in business for several years is a good indicator that they have the experience to deliver on their claims.
Get A Property Evaluation
Every property is different and comes with its own unique set of challenges. A reputable landscape contractor will want to assess your property before agreeing to take a job. To give you a fair estimate, the landscaping company should be able to come to your property, take a full look at the landscape, and discuss your ideas, concerns, and budget.
This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions and discuss a plan for ongoing lawn care and maintenance. Even if you’re doing a huge, one-time project, upkeeping the landscape should also be a point of consideration. After all, why go through all the trouble and expenses if the area is going to be overgrown with weeds in just a few months.
A Contract For Work
A professional company should provide you with a contract for services that outlines the price, estimated timeline for completion, the services that will be rendered, payment schedule, guarantees, and quality assurance. You should also check for information regarding the deposit amount and if it is refundable if the contractors are unable to complete the work for any reason.
Also, what guarantees do they make? If they’re installing new plants, is the health for each one guaranteed for a certain period of time? Who is responsible for cleanup? If they remove an old stump, will you have to deal with disposing of it? If permits are required for any work, will you or the company be responsible for obtaining them?
Having all of this information outlined in an official document protects both you and the contractors. If they refuse to put any of this information in your contract, it might be time to look elsewhere for your landscaping needs.
