A lawn serves as a personal oasis providing pride, relaxation, and enjoyment for all who enter. It can be a daunting task to choose a reliable and competent landscaping company. Selection of a company to provide all lawn service needs should be made with consideration of several aspects.
To create the ideal lawn, it is important to know what to expect from a landscaper, as well as from the finished product. If uncertain what criteria to expect, venture out to neighbors who have admirable lawns and seek advice on what to look for and also the name of the landscaping company they used. Personal experience can be much more reliable and honest than a random web search. As references are obtained, compile a list of the landscapers within the area. This will make it easier to compare and assess different companies throughout the interview and decision making period.
Before making a final decision on a landscaping contractor, it is vital to interview several different companies. This is the time to bring up individual ideas and goals of the project, as well as listen to what the contractor suggests as being best for the project. After conjuring ideas with the landscaper, then it is necessary to establish a more formal plan. This would include estimates and budget requirements, property assessment, and tentative time schedule of the project from start to finish.
Do not hesitate to ask questions such as is their company trained or certified by the manufacturer or supplier of products they install. Ask to view pictures or an online album that contains before and after pictures of former jobs, as well as testimonies, client letters, and references that you may contact. If the project will require subcontractors, ensure that the contractors hired will be responsible for that work as well. General liability insurance and workers compensation should be provided by the company so that in the case of an accident on the job site the responsibility of providing care is clear.
After meeting with several landscaping company prospects, compare and contrast price quotes, floor plans, budgets, the workmanship of each contractor, and the comfort level within the employee-employer relationship. Although this may not seem important in a business negotiation, the contractor will be on the job site until completion of the project so honesty and trust is a main qualification. Consideration of any ongoing maintenance issues should be involved so that a contractor who provides lawn maintenance can meet all the needs of the jobs that may be presented.
Once settling on a landscaping company, a written contract should be obtained. Within this agreement several details should be clearly explained. All prices should be written out specifically, including the prices from the subcontractors, if needed, and of the lawn maintenance such as weeding, spraying, etc. Aside from the cost of the project, a contract should include the time schedule of the job from assessment to installation. The final contract will ensure quality workmanship and satisfaction with the final product.
