Hiring a qualified, professional landscape contractor for your residential or commercial property is a good investment. However, keep in mind that not all residential or commercial landscapers are the same. It is imperative to choose a landscaping company that can meet all your needs. When interviewing a project landscaping contractor, there are some important questions that can help you decide which landscape design and installation company are right for your project.
Questions to Ask a Landscape Contractor
- What qualifications or certifications qualify your business?
- What kind of landscape design, installation, and maintenance services do they offer?
- Do you have a portfolio of recent works?
- How is it different from other landscaping companies?
- Do you have the in-house capacity or are you using a subcontractor?
- Can you provide a visual drawing for my project?
- What is the maintenance program contract-what is included?
- Do you have a full license, are you detained, and are you insured?
- Do you offer a warranty for products and labor?
- Is there a dedicated person in charge of the entire project?
- Where do you source plants, shrubs, and trees?
- Do you do all the landscaping maintenance?
- Do you understand my vision?
- Do you estimate the required time for the entire project?
- When will all plants mature?
- Who should I contact if I notice a problem?
- Is there anything I can do to reduce costs?
- Can I install outdoor lighting?
- What kind of outdoor living structure can you build?
- Is your landscaping agency environmentally friendly?
1. What qualifications or certifications qualify your business?
Other landscaping companies may have the highest value in the town, but it is not the only rating when certifying lawns and landscaping. You can save short-term and long-term headaches from your current landscaping project years after your current landscaping project by ensuring that the company of your choice has the appropriate training and certification for your area of expertise. By testing your company’s best practices, you can avoid project issues within the first few years of completion.
2. What kind of landscape design, installation and maintenance services do they offer?
Please ask specifically. I want to know exactly what services the company provides and how often they run.
3. Do you have a portfolio of recent works?
Ask if the contractor specializes in the project type you want to pursue and if he has completed the project and demonstrated that they represent the same scope. The quality of the images they display reflects the quality of their work. If you notice high quality professional photos and videos, it should indicate that the contractor is proud of their work and wants to show the same details and quality in their projects.
4. How is it different from other landscaping companies?
A good landscaping company needs to be proud of its service and understand why it is better than its competitors.
5. Do you have the in-house capacity or are you using a subcontractor?
Large projects involve multiple contractors from different disciplines, such as electricians, carpenters, and plumbers, but it’s worth having a contractor do the necessary landscaping work. If the contractor cannot keep up with the demand for the project, the solution is often to undertake the added project, but then outsource the work to another company. When landscape providers use subcontractors to complete projects, it can be difficult to ensure a consistent level of quality and service.
6. Can you provide a visual drawing for my project?
Outdoor space drawings are the best way to visualize your project. You will also be given the opportunity to ensure that everything is working as planned. Having a visual drawing is also a good way to make sure your project and quote are comparable.
7. What is the maintenance program contract-what is included?
How often do they mow? Does it include leaf removal? How about trimming shrubs? Weed control? Know exactly what you are getting for your money and how often the crew will appear.
8. Do you have a full license, are you detained, and are you insured?
This should be one of the most important questions you are asking. In our experience, accidents are rare, but they do happen. If the contractor does not have the proper insurance, it can cost more than the originally allowed budget.
9. Do you offer a warranty for products and labor?
Workmanship and product warranty are standard procedures for renowned landscapers. Terms of use vary from company to company. Please clarify what is covered and what is not covered, and the target period. If a company does not want to guarantee the work done, not verifying and not trusting that work should be a red flag in the selection process.
10. Is there a dedicated person in charge of the entire project?
Good customer service is essential to maintain clear and continuous communication. Choosing a landscape provider that includes the process of delegating account reps makes the experience more enjoyable and less complex. If your project has only one contact within the landscaping company, there is less of a chance of miscommunication and your project may not get the attention and execution you need and deserve.
11. Where do you source plants, shrubs, and trees?
You don’t necessarily have to choose a native species, but make sure your landscape contractor uses plants grown in your area. They are probably cheaper. Sending plants from other parts of the country is not free. They are likely to prosper. Plants that have to adapt to brand new growth conditions become more susceptible to pests and diseases as they adapt to the new environment. They require less maintenance. Durable plants do not require much extra water or attention from the landscaping maintenance crew.
12. Do you do all the landscaping maintenance?
Before signing your name, be sure to create a separate plant and garden maintenance plan with your landscaping company and make sure that plan is included in your work contract. Dead plant replacement policies vary from company to company, so ask as many questions as you need to fully understand which maintenance tasks are your responsibility and which tasks are assigned to your crew. Don’t be afraid to do it.
13. Do you understand my vision?
Your landscaping contractor should take the time to tell you what your dream garden will look like, your budget and the amount of gardening you are willing to do. Share examples of garden and landscaping projects that you especially admire. These images will help clarify what you are thinking. After gathering this important information, the contractor puts together a representation of what the new garden will look like (real estate scale, outdoor home structure, existing and new plantings). The landscaper should elaborate on this view to make sure you are both on the same page.
14. Do you estimate the required time for the entire project?
As with any home renovation project, it can be difficult to determine the completion date of a landscaping project, as unexpected problems and bad weather can always occur. Make sure you know the contractor if you have a deadline, such as a party hosted in the backyard. However, be aware of calendar change events that no one can control.
15. When will all plants mature?
Unless otherwise specified, landscaping workers may plant saplings and shrubs. More established plants tend to be more expensive and cannot be successfully transplanted. Discuss these details with your landscaping contractor to see how long it will take for the plant to reach full size.
16. Who should I contact if I notice a problem?
Make sure you know the contact details. If you have any problems installing the landscape, feel free to let them know what you think.
17. Is there anything I can do to reduce costs?
Let your contractor know if the job quote you want is higher than what you are happy with. He or she may be able to propose a design change or alternative plant that may bring costs to your comfort zone.
18. Can I install outdoor lighting?
Most outdoor lighting systems must be installed by a professional electrician. Not all landscape contractors offer this service, so if you know that garden lighting is important to you, ask if your landscaping company can do the design and installation or if you should contact another company.
19. What kind of outdoor living structure can they build?
Many people hire professional landscape architects not only to make their curb charm more attractive, but also to create the outdoor space they really want to spend their time with. If you need an outdoor space designed for relaxation, a deck, patio, or outdoor kitchen may be a good choice. Not all landscape contractors diverge across plants. If the outdoor kitchen is part of your dream backyard, ask the contractor to interview if the design and construction of the outdoor space is part of their service program.
20. Is your landscaping agency environmentally friendly?
In today’s world, landscape services always need to be environmentally friendly. After all, everything we do affects our neighbors, and your landscaping contractor must adopt an environmentally sound pest control and irrigation solution.
