Home Renovations Company
Choosing A
Landscaping
Contractor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Choose The Right Landscaping Contractor For You
Transforming your home’s outdoor space into beautiful and landscape and garden requires research, attention to detail, time, money and the right tools to get the job done, or you can hire a professional landscaper to do it for you. Choosing the right landscaping contractor can make the job of turning your house into a home, that much easier.
This step-by-step guide will help you find and choose the right landscaping contractor for you.
1. Decide Your Landscaping Needs And Wants
The first step in choosing the right landscaper that is right for you, is to decide what your landscaping needs and wants are.
Before choosing a landscaping contractor, you should be clear on what you want with regard to your home’s outdoor space. For example, do you want a beautiful garden? Do you want a low maintenance outdoor space? Do you a beautiful aesthetic? There are a lot of individual questions that you will have to ask yourself.
2. Decide What Your Budget Is
When deciding on your budget when choosing a landscaping contractor, you will have to clarify the scope of the landscaping project.
Some of the things for you to consider are:
Size Of The Area
You should measure the square footage of the space that you want landscaped, or have a landscaper give you an estimate. Typically, the more space there is to be landscaped, the more materials and labor will be required.
Type Of Work
You should identify any tasks, such as lawn installation, irrigation system installation, tree planting, hardscaping or garden design. The type of work that needs to be done and materials required will factor into the cost that the landscaper will charge you.
How Complex The Work Will Be
Simple designs, like sod installation, will cost less than more complex designs such as water elements or retaining walls. The simpler you want to keep the landscape design, the less it will cost.
3. Setting A Timeline For Completion
Another factor that you will want to consider is the timeline for getting the project started and finished.
Initial Consultation And Planning
The timeframe for first meeting with a landscaping contractor and discussing and planning what is to actually be done can take from one to two weeks. What you would like done, your budget and timeframe a some of the things that you should discuss with any landscaping contractor that you meet with.
Some of the other things that should be evaluated and discussed are the size and dimensions of the area that is to be landscaped, any preference and options of plant varieties, materials that can be used and any other features, such as retaining walls.
The landscaping contractor should give you an estimate of what it will cost you to get the project done and timeframe in which it would be done.
These are some of the typical stages and timelines of a home landscaping project when managed by a professional landscaper, from initial planning to completion, for a moderately complex project. This would include things such as redesigning a backyard, hardscaping and irrigation. Actual timelines vary depending on the size of the project, complexity, weather and contractor availability.
Initial Consultation And Planning
The timeframe for first meeting with a landscaping contractor and discussing and planning what is to actually be done can take from one to two weeks. What you would like done, your budget and timeframe a some of the things that you should discuss with any landscaping contractor that you meet with.
Some of the other things that should be evaluated and discussed are the size and dimensions of the area that is to be landscaped, any preference and options of plant varieties, materials that can be used and any other features, such as retaining walls.
The landscaping contractor should give you an estimate of what it will cost you to get the project done and timeframe in which it would be done.
4. Request A Detailed Quote
When you meet with a landscaping contractor and they give you an assessment on the cost and timeline, be sure to get a detailed quote. You should be sure that there is a breakdown of the costs of the labor, materials and equipment used.
You will also a breakdown of the timeline and stages of the work that is to be done, from designing, installation and cleanup.
Warranties and / or guarantees on materials or labor are another factor to consider when choosing a landscaping contractor. You want peace of mind, and a warranty and / or a guarantee can help with that.
5. Research Potential Contractors
You should get together a list of local landscaping contractors that you can meet with and that can give you estimates and bids. This list of landscaping contractors can come friends, neighbors or family who are happy with the experience that they have had with them doing landscaping projects.
You can also check online reviews by checking their Google Reviews or by getting on platforms like Yelp or Angi’s List to get an idea of what other customers think of them.
You might also want to check with the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) or other local landscaping groups to check wether they are certified members.
You should aim for a short list of 3 to 5 landscaping contractors with good reputations and experience to suit your needs and budget.
6. Verify Credentials
One big mistake many make when choosing a landscaping contractor is to neglect to check wether they are licensed and insured to be able to do the work. Many cities and counties have their own licensing and insurance requirements. The landscaping contractor that you choose should know what licensing and insurance are required in the area that the work is to be done.
Conclusion
Choosing the right landscaping contractor requires a little patience, clear communication and attention to detail. By deciding your landscaping needs and wants, decide what your budget is, setting a timeline for completion, request detailed quotes, research potential contractors and verifying their credentials, you can find the right landscaping contractor for you.