Finding a good landscaper can be confusing.
Between sifting through online reviews, setting budgets, and trying to figure out what you actually need, things can get overwhelming.
If you’ve never hired a landscaping company before, here are the steps you should take to start narrowing down your choices.
Define Your Current & Future Needs
Landscaping companies provide all sorts of services. It’s important to make sure that your landscaper not only provides the services you need today, but also any additional services you might need in the future.
For example, even if you aren’t looking to build a garden walkway for 5 years, hire a landscaper that will set you up for less hurdles in the future.
A good landscaper will look ahead with you and plan so you’ll have to undo/redo less work later. You want to make sure you’re not just getting a product that looks nice today, but one that will last and leave options for all your future plans!
Define Your Budget
Having a budget will help narrow your choices and tell you who it is possible to hire.
Set your budget and leave room for error. With any sort of home renovation budget, you want to make sure you have an extra 15-20 percent set aside for surprise expenses. No matter how well you plan a project, unexpected circumstances will always arise.
A sign of a good contractor is one who is willing to work with you and your budget. They will help you set expectations and try their best to make sure there are less surprises along the way.
Check Online Reviews & Ask Around
Online reviews are a great source of information and can help you decide which landscaper to hire.
It’s important however to always look beyond a company’s website and social media for reviews. For obvious reasons, any source of testimonials or reviews controlled by a company itself run the risk of being biased.
Sometimes word of mouth referrals are actually the most reliable. Your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues have probably already had experience with landscaping companies. So ask around since many of the best contracting companies are so overwhelmed with business that they don’t even advertise!
Communicate With Them
Communication is key. Once you’ve found one or two companies that you like, contact them. Give them a call, shoot them an email, fill out their “contact us” page and gage how they respond. The best companies are good communicators and not only get back to you, but do so in a timely and thoughtful manner.
A good landscaping company will take your project as seriously as you do, so make sure the company you choose makes themselves available. They won't wait for problems to arise, or for you to start asking questions, they will anticipate your needs and keep you in the loop every step of the way!
Finding a landscaper that’s right for you is a process. Chances are you will have more than one project and maintenance to tend to over the years, so the relationship you have with your landscaper is very important. You both might be in it for the long haul, so use these tips and do all your homework and you just might find the landscaper of your dreams!
Having trouble finding a landscaper that’s right for you? Contact us today to get a free quote! We’d love to help!