5 Crucial Things You Should Know Before
Hiring a Landscaping Company
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Why is it essential for you to design your landscape well? A well-designed
landscape can significantly increase the value of your property because it
improves the appearance of your home. A perfect house goes well with a
perfect landscaping to accompany it, which also makes your space even
more suitable for living.
Therefore, you will need to hire a good landscaper to make it possible for
you to have that perfect landscape. Whether you just want maintenance, an
upgrade or installation of a new feature, or a complete redesign, it’s wiser to
hire a professional landscaper instead of attempting to do it yourself.
Before starting your search, decide what areas of your lot you want to
landscape. Consider your lifestyle too when deciding for the design or layout.
Factor in your budget so as to make sure that you don’t overspend.
Do you need an area for the kids to run and play at? Are you looking to get
a fenced garden area where you can plant your favorite flowers? Or do you
want to have extra privacy from the streets and neighbors?
Make sure you know almost exactly what you want to be done so you can
easily tell the landscaping contractors once you start canvassing and asking
for estimates. You can also ask them for advice if you really don’t know what
you want to do with your landscape at home.
Once you have decided that you need to hire a landscaping contractor, the
next hurdle is to find a good one who will do the job for you without any
hassle.
How do you find a good and reliable landscaper to make your dream back or
front yard possible? Here are 5 crucial things you should know before hiring
a landscaper:
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1. Determine If Your Project is Simple or Huge
Determining how huge or small your project is plays a very important part.
Why? Knowing this will tell you what to look for in landscaping company that
you are looking to hire.
Are you just trimming trees and bushes or repairing a damaged lawn? Do
you simply want to add a few shrubs and plants? If your needs are as simple
as this, you simply need to make sure that your landscaping company at
least has a license and is bonded.
Are you looking to completely redesign your landscape, which you think
might require more complicated work? If this is the case, then you will need
a highly qualified and experienced landscape architect to finish the project. A
huge project requires careful planning and implementation so make sure
that you hire a landscaping contractor who can do this.
Do you need to buy a lot of materials and equipment to install on your
property? How much bushes or tress do you want planted on your lawn?
Gather as much information as you can about landscaping and what you
want to do with your lawn so that it’s easier for you to work with your
landscaper.
2. Educate Yourself With the Paperwork and Legal Requirements
This is one of the most difficult parts of the whole project, but is very
important and yields long term results. Educating yourself with the
paperwork and legal requirements protects as well from getting ripped off by
extra charges or uncompleted work.
If you are hiring a landscape architect or contractor, make sure that they are
licensed. In many states, anyone who calls themselves “landscape
contractor” are required to hold a license and pass exams first before
obtaining one. This is to your advantage— you can be assured that your
landscaper took time and effort to get registered and to prove their skills.
Don’t settle for an unlicensed landscaper that offers cheaper prices because
this could give you a lot of hassle and headache in the long run. It’s not
worth the risk hiring a landscaper who did not do his or her own job to get
registered. This simple aspect should say a lot about what the contractor
values most.
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Also look for certifications, credentials and qualifications of the workers.
These certifications demonstrate the training that the landscaper has gone
through.
Check if they have liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation
insurance. This might cost you more but you need to have this covered and
on paper in case any unavoidable accidents or incidents happen as they
work on your front or back yard.
Ask your landscaper for a written contract that should indicate all the details
of the project. Whatever you agreed upon verbally, it has to appear in
writing.
3. Find Out How Much It Would Cost and Try to Reduce It
Make sure you explain to the landscaper clearly and precisely what you
want. This is to ensure that they can give the most accurate estimate and
costing for you to review.
Many landscapers pride themselves on carrying out luxurious and expensive
landscaping projects. If you are on a limited budget, make it clear to them
right from the very beginning. This would save you a lot of time from
haggling and going back and forth with a price.
They would try to offer you with several choices in terms of materials to use.
It’s tempting to just tell them to give us the cheapest ones to reduce the
cost, but still try your best to look at quality.
Once the actual cost has been finalized, ask for a break down of fess and
what items you are being charged for. The amount and the rest of the
details should be stated in the contract. Read the fine prints and make sure
there are not other charges aside from the ones you agreed upon.
Different landscape contractors charge differently too. Some offer prices
based solely on the plants he installed on your lawn. Other landscapers
separate labor costs from the material costs. Study the quotes very well so
you can trim it down further.
In addition, never pay upfront payments. A reputable landscaper will be
happy and able to take on the job and initial costs. But do ask them how
they will bill you and how you can pay. It’s good to at least give them the
idea that yes, you are planning to pay them in full once the job is done.
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4. Know How The Work Will Be Done
You should know how and when they plan to carry out and install your ideal
lawn. Of course it’s something you should agree on as well since they will be
working on your property and you might not be there watch them all the
time.
First thing you should find out is how to schedule the work. Obviously, the
weather will be a huge consideration when you set a date for the landscaper
to work on your lawn. This greatly affects the end result of the project as
well as the working conditions of the landscapers who will be working
outdoors.
Reliable landscaper should be able to recommend a good timetable based on
facts, and not solely on their schedule. They should know when’s the best
time to set the planting activities, which might not always coincide with your
personal preferences or schedule. Patience is the key here—they have the
best judgment as to what specific time of the year is ideal to work. Given
that you hired a good landscaping contractor, you should also trust them.
Also check if they scheduled the work to do it efficiently without wasting the
costs and labor. You can ask them if they plan to subcontract certain parts of
the job, especially if your landscaping project is massive. You should know if
any other set of workers is going to work on your property.
Having a subcontractor shouldn’t really trouble or cost you more. In fact, it’s
even an advantage. This is because you know that an expert is taking care
of the job no matter how small it is.
5. Hire Landscapers Who Has A Good Local Reputation
You will most likely never know if a landscaper is reliable and good until they
started working on your property, packed up and waited on your plants to
grow.
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That’s why it’s important to ask people around for a landscaper who has a
proven track record. Drive around your neighborhood and check out the
most attractive or healthiest lawn and ask the homeowners which
landscaping contractor they used. If they are happy with the results then
they would most likely recommend the landscaper.
You can even ask your colleagues, friends and family if they have had a
need to hire a landscaper in the past. Gather the names and addresses of
the landscapers they used then try to get feedback about how the work was
done and if they are satisfied with the end result.
You will surely hear at least two names of landscapers who are highly
recommended by everyone. This should give you a sign that you can narrow
down your list to these two and decide from there.
Most reputable landscapers are more than happy to give you references
even before you ask for it. Get their references to ask a few questions about
the landscaper, how professional they are, and how knowledgeable they are
in their craft.
You can also go online and read a few feedback and reviews about a certain
landscaper in your area. This way, you have a lot of information in hand and
you would know what to expect once the workers are in your property.
Excellent and reliable landscaping can be expected from Yong Hup Seng
Mess Co Pte Ltd. For your immediate or long-term landscaping needs, call
us on 6287 3366.
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