Just as every human face is different, the face and landscape of every home is different as well. Depending on the unique characteristics of a landscape, such as the size, shape, and vegetation, the services required to optimally maintain the landscape can vary widely. That’s why it is of the utmost importance to ensure that you have a landscaper that fits the needs of you and your landscape. Here are 8 important questions to ask your landscape specialist to make sure they are the best fit for you.
1. What Types of Services Do You Offer?
Different landscapers do different services. As such, you want to ensure that the landscaper you are hiring is able to accommodate your wants and needs. For example, if you want to install a new water feature in your yard, you need to make sure that the company you are interested in can do that as not all companies will be able to. Even if the service is offered by the company you are interested in, you will also want to make sure that the company can complete that service effectively and efficiently.
2. Is the Company Insured?
A lot of landscaping professionals work with heavy equipment. An accident for a company that is uninsured may wind up with you footing the bill for any damages incurred. With the use of heavy equipment, the chances of heavy damages and therefore heavy costs increases. Because of this, you should only hire a landscaper that is able to show proof that they are insured and certified to work on your property.
3. How Much Experience Does the Team Have?
When it comes to landscaping, experience matters. Some landscaping companies expand their services based on the demand of different projects in the area, which is good for business but sometimes costly to the homeowner. You want a team who knows what they are doing and has the right equipment for the job. For example, trimming trees can be tricky. You don’t want someone who is inexperienced trimming back the limbs of an older tree whose branches are extended over your house.
4. Does Your Staff Have Specialists?
Make sure the landscaping company you are hiring has the right kind of specialists for the job. While a broadly skilled jack-of-all-trades can be good for some jobs, you will want a specialist to ensure that the job you have hired the landscaper to do is being done right. Just as you wouldn’t go see an ear and throat specialist for a heart problem, you wouldn’t want an arborist to build you a new patio.
5. Who Will Be the One to Complete the Project?
You will want to ensure that you know who will actually be leading and completing the project. Sometimes, shadier companies will allow you to talk to a specialist, only to send in a crew to do the job. This leads to poorly and recklessly completed projects that need to be redone, increasing the costs to you. Make sure you know who is leading your project and get their contact information so you can ask them any questions and express your concerns. The right company for you will take your concerns into account and work with you to ensure the project is satisfactorily completed.
6. Ask for a Copy of the Project Plans
This may seem obvious, but having the project plans will help you track and understand the process. Some companies may not be comfortable sharing their plans with clients in fear that the client will take that plan to a competitor. However, if you are a visual person and need to see a rough outline of the project, make sure you are working with a company that is willing to do that for you.
7. Ask About Guarantees
A legitimate company isn’t afraid to back up their work with guarantees to fix something if it is wrong. You want to know that the landscaping will come back to do repairs, offer lawn treatments to keep your grass green and keep weeds at bay, and that they are committed to their workmanship. A guarantee lets you know that the company stands behind their work and that they are confident in their team.
8. Does the Company Have Any References?
References are a great way to check the caliber of a company’s work before you invest in their services. If a company provides you a list of references to call, you can speak to them and hear about their experiences. In addition to checking any references provided by the company, be sure to check online reviews as well. Companies that refuse to give references or have a lot of negative reviews online should not be trusted.
Need a Reputable Company to Transform Your Landscape?
Your landscape is one of the first things to make an impression on any guests that visit your home. It is also a huge part of making the exterior of your home feel complete. Make sure that it is the landscape of your dreams by working with a reputable company to transform your landscape. At Landscape By Design, our team will use our extensive experience and skill set to work with you and ensure your landscape is the vision you deserve. To schedule an appointment or consultation, contact us today!