If you’re not sure how to choose a full-service landscape contractor, then you’ve definitely come to the right place. Landscaping can be a huge expense, especially if you are working on a large piece of land. There is so much prep work that needs to be done before anything else that it can cost an arm and a leg. The best way to avoid blowing your budget is by hiring Landscaping to do the work for you. They will be able to give you an estimate based on the size of your yard or plot of land and give you some tips for doing the work yourself.
One of the first things you should do is get bids from at least three contractors. You must get a variety of bids because you want to make sure that you are getting the most for your money. You can always try to negotiate the price down a bit if you have several really good bids from reputable contractors, but this can be a time-consuming process, and may not be worth it. However, by getting a variety of bids, you can easily spot any discrepancies in pricing and focus on them.
Once you have narrowed your choices down a bit, it’s time to start calling around to different landscape companies and contractors. You should ask them about their experience level, what kind of work they do, and if they will be able to help you with any special needs that you have. For instance, if you have a big tree that needs to be removed or moved or something along those lines, you want to make sure that you get a full-service landscape contractor that has experience dealing with the size and type of job that you need to be done. Sometimes you’ll find that larger landscape companies are more willing to work with smaller companies, and vice versa.
One of the best ways to determine who is the right contractor for your needs is by making a list of your project needs, your budget, and your preferences. Based on that information, you’ll be able to get a ballpark estimate for the cost of the work that needs to be done. This will allow you to compare estimates from different companies and see which one offers you the most reasonable estimate.
Once you’ve gotten an estimate, you’ll want to know what is included in that price. Most companies will include the price of the labor as part of the quote, so you’ll have that price to go by. However, some will charge an additional fee for an estimate and all the extra work that comes with it. This is why it’s important to ask what exactly is included in the price. You don’t want to get a great deal and then discover that the extra work you’re going to have to pay for isn’t something that you were aware of when you got the quote.
Full-service landscape contractors don’t just plant trees. Some of them specialize in doing water gardening, which means they can help you get the plants and landscape you want without the hassle of digging holes and installing the sprinklers yourself. Landscapers are also skilled at installing decks, pavers, mulch, gravel, and other hardscape materials. You might call the landscaper you’re thinking of hiring for this type of work, but they may also be able to install the solar fence or play stone bench you are interested in.
The best way to find a good company is to ask friends and family for recommendations. Ask about the company they use and whether or not they are happy with the work they received. Also, ask them if they would recommend the company to someone they know. If a friend or a family member has a great experience with a landscape contractor, then they should be able to share that information with you. If you aren’t familiar with the landscape business, however, it may be difficult to determine whether or not the recommendations would be good. In this case, it may be best to follow your instincts.
Once you have narrowed down your list of companies that you think might be able to meet your needs, you should make some calls and set up meetings. Meet with each of the full-service landscape contractors you spoke to and determine whether or not they will be able to provide the types of services you need. If at any point, you feel uncomfortable with the manager or planner from the initial interview, it is best to hire another company. Remember, your relationship with your landscape company is what is most important, so be sure to put your trust in them.