10 Questions to Ask When Hiring A Landscaper
Your yard should reflect your vision, but you may not know where to start.
Hiring a landscaper is often the first step. Asking questions before you hire a contractor can give you an idea of what kind of person you will be working with, how they plan to carry out the plan, projected costs, and warranties. This will help as you will know what to expect from your landscape contractor. While there are many questions that can be asked, these are probably the most important
What are their qualifications?
Landscapers can have many different qualifications. They maybe an arborist or certified in irrigation. Certifications and licenses can allow them to use chemicals or train and authorize them to use advanced building techniques. Many are licensed by the State Agriculture Department or their state and local areas.
Are they insured?
When you hire a landscaper, you need to know if they are insured and bonded. If someone gets hurt on your property, you could be held responsible. If your landscapers hire subcontractors, you also need to know if they are insured. This protects you, the home owner, from accidents and damage. It’s also a good idea to ask for references.
Can you provide me with a scaled design of the project?
Getting at least a drawing or design of the project will give you an idea of what the project will look like when finished. You can easily change things at the drawing stage instead of mid-project. It also gives your contractor a budget and any project concerns.
Where are your plants grown?
Even within a county or state, soil and climate can be very different. In most cases, plants should be locally grown to prevent losses from shock or disease and pests.
Do you own your own equipment?
While many landscaping companies own their own equipment, some don’t own heavier machines If the landscaper is unable to rent the equipment on time, it can cause delays in your project. If this happens, how is this handled?
Where are my contracts, warranties, and Material Data Sheets?
You should always get a contract for all jobs being performed on your property. This should help define the responsibilities of the landscaper as well as what you need to do. Also it’s a good idea to have paper copies of warranties as well as material data sheets (MDS) that would tell you about chemicals used during the landscaping process.
Can you maintain my new yard?
Many landscapers also offer maintenance for their work. This is usually an optional. However, it might be necessary to care for exotic plants or other challenging problems. Do they offer this?
Will I need soil tests?
In many cases, landscapers will use soil tests to determine what kind of soil you have and what kinds of chemicals and fertilizer to use in your yard for healthy plants. A professional landscaper should be able to determine what’s needed by these tests.
Do you offer other services?
Does the landscaper offer other services such as lawn or pool care? It might be a good idea to get a package deal.
What sets the landscape company apart?
It’s always a good idea to ask this question as it gives insight to the landscaper. If you’re concerned about the environment or would like to use earth friendly products, you will need to find a landscaper who uses organic and eco-friendly products.
At Beyond Landscaping you can rest assured we take care of the details! Contact us with your questions and we can show you how we handle and provide the best experience possible.
Want to find out more about Beyond Landscaping? Feel free to contact us or give us a call at (574) 527-7973.